Exodus 18:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that [is] with thee: for this thing [is] too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You will certainly wear yourself out - and not only yourself, but these people here with you as well. It's too much for you - you can't do it alone, by yourself.

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for the thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Thou wilt surely^{H5034} wear away^{H5034}, both thou, and this people^{H5971} that is with thee: for this thing^{H1697} is too heavy^{H3515} for thee; thou art not able^{H3201} to perform^{H6213} it thyself alone.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 18:18

**Exodus 18:18 Summary:**

**Themes:**
- Leadership and Delegation: The verse highlights the importance of shared responsibility in leadership. It suggests that no leader should carry the entire burden alone, as it can lead to exhaustion and inefficiency.
- Wisdom and Counsel: The passage underscores the value of seeking and heeding wise advice, especially in matters of governance and justice.
- Sustainability of Leadership: It reflects on the need for a sustainable model of leadership that can endure over time, ensuring the well-being of both the leader and the community.

**Historical Context:**
Set after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, this verse is part of a conversation between Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro (also known as Yitro or Reuel). Jethro, a Midianite priest, observes Moses' attempt to single-handedly judge the people's disputes and offer religious instruction from morning until evening. Recognizing the unsustainable nature of this practice, Jethro advises Moses to appoint capable and trustworthy men to share the load of judging the people. This advice leads to the establishment of a hierarchical judicial system, which is considered one of the earliest examples of administrative organization in the Hebrew Bible. The context reflects a period of transition and formation of the Israelite nation, as they move from a loose collection of tribes to a more structured society with a formal legal system.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5034
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָבֵל
   Transliteration: nâbêl
   Pronunciation: naw-bale'
   Description: a primitive root; to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace; disgrace, dishounour, lightly esteem, fade (away, -ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, [idiom] surely, make vile, wither.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3515
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבֵד
   Transliteration: kâbêd
   Pronunciation: kaw-bade'
   Description: from כָּבַד; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid); (so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3201
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָכֹל
   Transliteration: yâkôl
   Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
   Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.
   
6. 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.