King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
Complete Jewish Bible:
You should also teach them the laws and the teachings, and show them how to live their lives and what work they should do.
Berean Standard Bible:
Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do.
American Standard Version:
and thou shalt teach them the statutes and the laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And thou shalt teach{H2094}{H853} them ordinances{H2706} and laws{H8451}, and shalt shew{H3045} them the way{H1870} wherein they must walk{H3212}, and the work{H4639} that they must do{H6213}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 5:1
- ¶ And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
Psalms 143:8
- Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Deuteronomy 1:18
- And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
Deuteronomy 4:1
- ¶ Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do [them], that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
Deuteronomy 4:5
- Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Psalms 32:8
- I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Exodus 18:16
- When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make [them] know the statutes of God, and his laws.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 18:20
Exodus 18:20 is part of a larger narrative that occurs after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and before they reach Mount Sinai, where they will receive the Ten Commandments and other laws. In this verse, Moses is being advised by his father-in-law, Jethro, a Midianite priest. Jethro has observed Moses attempting to govern the people by himself, settling disputes from morning until evening, which is overwhelming and unsustainable.
The verse encapsulates the theme of governance and delegation of authority. Jethro counsels Moses to appoint capable leaders to share the burden of judging the people. He instructs Moses to "teach them ordinances and laws," indicating that Moses should not only adjudicate current disputes but also educate the people about God's statutes and instructions for living. This education is crucial for maintaining social order and for the Israelites to understand the expectations of their covenant with God.
Furthermore, Jethro advises Moses to "shew them the way wherein they must walk," which implies providing direction and guidance for the people's conduct, ensuring that they know how to live in accordance with God's will. The phrase "the work that they must do" suggests that there are specific duties and responsibilities that the people must undertake as part of their covenant relationship with God.
In summary, Exodus 18:20 highlights the importance of establishing a structured legal and moral framework within the Israelite community. It emphasizes the roles of education, leadership, and delegation in governance, and it sets a precedent for the distribution of judicial responsibilities. This verse is historically significant as it reflects the early development of a judicial system and the codification of laws that would later be expanded upon in the books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It also underscores the importance of divine law in shaping the ethical and social fabric of the emerging nation of Israel.
*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: H2094
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָהַר
Transliteration: zâhar
Pronunciation: zaw-har'
Description: a primitive root; to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution); admonish, shine, teach, (give) warn(-ing). - Strong's Number: H853
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵת
Transliteration: ʼêth
Pronunciation: ayth
Description: apparent contracted from אוֹת in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English). - Strong's Number: H2706
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹק
Transliteration: chôq
Pronunciation: khoke
Description: from חָקַק; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage); appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task. - Strong's Number: H8451
There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תּוֹרָה
Transliteration: tôwrâh
Pronunciation: to-raw'
Description: or תֹּרָה; from יָרָה; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch; law. - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H4639
There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעֲשֶׂה
Transliteration: maʻăseh
Pronunciation: mah-as-eh'
Description: from עָשָׂה; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property; act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. - 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.