King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The following day Moshe sat to settle disputes for the people, while the people stood around Moshe from morning till evening.
Berean Standard Bible:
The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening.
American Standard Version:
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood about Moses from the morning unto the evening.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And it came to pass on the morrow{H4283}, that Moses{H4872} sat{H3427} to judge{H8199} the people{H5971}: and the people{H5971} stood{H5975} by Moses{H4872} from the morning{H1242} unto the evening{H6153}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Joel 3:12
- Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
Job 29:7
- ¶ When I went out to the gate through the city, [when] I prepared my seat in the street!
Romans 13:6
- For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Judges 5:10
- Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
Isaiah 16:5
- And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
Matthew 23:2
- Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Romans 12:8
- Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 18:13
**Exodus 18:13** is set within the broader context of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land after their liberation from slavery. This particular verse captures a moment following the Israelites' arrival at the wilderness of Sinai, where they encamped before the mountain of God.
**Themes:**
1. **Leadership and Governance:** The verse highlights the immense responsibility Moses has taken on as the sole judge for the entire Israelite population. It underscores the need for a functioning legal system to address disputes and maintain order among the people.
2. **Burden of Authority:** Moses' role as judge from morning until evening illustrates the heavy burden of leadership. It suggests the need for a more sustainable system of governance to share the load.
3. **Wisdom and Advice:** This scene sets the stage for the advice Moses receives from his father-in-law, Jethro (also known as Reuel or Hobab), in the subsequent verses. Jethro observes the inefficiency of Moses' method and suggests a more hierarchical system of judging, which will later be known as the establishment of judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens (Exodus 18:17-26).
**Historical Context:**
The events in Exodus 18 are traditionally dated to the late Bronze Age, around the 13th century BCE. The Israelites, recently escaped from Egypt, are in the process of forming a new society and legal system. The verse reflects the challenges faced by a newly freed people transitioning from the rigid structure of Egyptian rule to a more autonomous and self-governed community.
This period is also significant for the development of Israelite religion and identity. Shortly after the events of Exodus 18, Moses will ascend Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and the Law, which will further shape Israelite society and its legal framework.
In summary, Exodus 18:13 captures a pivotal moment in the organizational development of the Israelite nation, emphasizing themes of leadership, justice, and communal responsibility, while reflecting the historical context of a people in transition from slavery to self-governance under God's guidance.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4283
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מׇחֳרָת
Transliteration: mochŏrâth
Pronunciation: mokh-or-awth'
Description: or מׇחֳרָתָם; (1 Samuel 30:17), feminine from the same as מָחָר; the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow; morrow, next day. - Strong's Number: H4872
There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
Transliteration: Môsheh
Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H8199
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁפַט
Transliteration: shâphaṭ
Pronunciation: shaw-fat'
Description: a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H5975
There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמַד
Transliteration: ʻâmad
Pronunciation: aw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. - Strong's Number: H1242
There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֹּקֶר
Transliteration: bôqer
Pronunciation: bo'-ker
Description: from בָּקַר; properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning; ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. - Strong's Number: H6153
There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶרֶב
Transliteration: ʻereb
Pronunciation: eh'-reb
Description: from עָרַב; dusk; [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night.