16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and instructions."

Other Translations of Exodus 18:16

King James Version

16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one one...: Heb. a man and his fellow and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

English Standard Version

16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws."

The Message

16 When something comes up, they come to me. I judge between a man and his neighbor and teach them God's laws and instructions."

New King James Version

16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws."

New Living Translation

16 When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God's decrees and give them his instructions."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 18:16

Commentary on Exodus 18:13-27

(Read Exodus 18:13-27)

Here is the great zeal and the toil of Moses as a magistrate. Having been employed to redeem Israel out of the house of bondage, he is a further type of Christ, that he is employed as a lawgiver and a judge among them. If the people were as quarrelsome one with another as they were with God, no doubt Moses had many causes brought before him. This business Moses was called to; it appears that he did it with great care and kindness. The meanest Israelite was welcome to bring his cause before him. Moses kept to his business from morning to night. Jethro thought it was too much for him to undertake alone; also it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the people. There may be over-doing even in well-doing. Wisdom is profitable to direct, that we may neither content ourselves with less than our duty, nor task ourselves beyond our strength. Jethro advised Moses to a better plan. Great men should not only study to be useful themselves, but contrive to make others useful. Care must be taken in the choice of the persons admitted into such a trust. They should be men of good sense, that understood business, and that would not be daunted by frowns or clamours, but abhorred the thought of a bribe. Men of piety and religion; such as fear God, who dare not to do a base thing, though they could do it secretly and securely. The fear of God will best fortify a man against temptations to injustice. Moses did not despise this advice. Those are not wise, who think themselves too wise to be counselled.