King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest [is] not good.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Moshe's father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing isn't good.
Berean Standard Bible:
But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
American Standard Version:
And Moses’ father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Moses{H4872}' father in law{H2859} said{H559} unto him, The thing{H1697} that thou doest{H6213} is not good{H2896}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Exodus 18:17
Exodus 18:17 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Exodus, which captures a moment of wisdom imparted by Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, to Moses. The historical context of this verse is set after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt but before they reach Mount Sinai. Moses, having been leading the people single-handedly, is confronted by Jethro who observes his son-in-law's method of governance—sitting as the sole judge for all the people from morning until evening.
In this verse, Jethro, also known as Reuel or Hobab, critiques Moses' approach to leadership, stating bluntly, "The thing that thou doest is not good." Jethro's statement reflects a theme of practical wisdom and the importance of delegation in leadership. He recognizes that the current system, where Moses is the only arbiter for a vast multitude of people, is unsustainable and will lead to burnout for Moses and weariness for the people.
The themes of this verse include the value of counsel, the necessity of organizational structure in leadership, and the foresight to prevent future problems. Jethro's advice is not only about efficiency but also about the well-being of both the leader and the community. This moment in Exodus underscores the idea that even those chosen by God for leadership roles need support and should not operate in isolation. Jethro's counsel leads to a significant reform in the judicial and administrative system of the Israelites, introducing a hierarchy of judges that would share the burden of governance and justice. This restructuring is an early biblical model for shared leadership and the importance of establishing institutions that can endure and adapt over time.
*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: 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: H2859
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָתַן
Transliteration: châthan
Pronunciation: khaw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage; join in affinity, father in law, make marriages, mother in law, son in law. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured).