Exodus 18:22 “Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you…”

Exodus 18:22

Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

World English Bible

Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you.

American Standard Version

and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

Geneva Bible 1599

And let them iudge the people at all seasons: but euery great matter let them bring vnto thee, and let them iudge all small causes: so shall it be easier for thee, when they shall beare the burden with thee.

Darby Translation

that they may judge the people at all times; and it shall be [that] they shall bring to thee every great matter, and that they shall judge every small matter, and they shall lighten [the task] on thee, and they shall bear [it] with thee.

Young's Literal Translation

and they have judged the people at all times; and it hath come to pass, every great matter they bring in unto thee, and every small matter they judge themselves; and lighten it from off thyself, and they have borne with thee.

Bible in Basic English

And let them be judges in the causes of the people at all times: and let them put before you all important questions, but in small things let them give decisions themselves: in this way, it will be less hard for you, and they will take the weight off you.

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Cross references

“at all seasons”

Exodus 18:26 Romans 13:6

Exodus 18:26 · BSB

And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

Romans 13:6 · BSB

This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

“great”

Leviticus 24:11 Numbers 15:33 Numbers 27:2 Numbers 36:1 Deuteronomy 1:17 Deuteronomy 17:8

Leviticus 24:11 · BSB

The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse. So they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)

Numbers 15:33 · BSB

Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation,

Numbers 27:2 · BSB

the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said,

Numbers 36:1 · BSB

Now the family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, one of the clans of Joseph, approached Moses and the leaders who were the heads of the Israelite families and addressed them,

Deuteronomy 1:17 · BSB

Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”

Deuteronomy 17:8 · BSB

If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose.

“they shall”

Numbers 11:17 Exodus 18:18

Numbers 11:17 · BSB

And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourse…

Exodus 18:18 · BSB

Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

21Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

23If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.”

Read Exodus 18