Exodus 18:17

KJV

And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest [is] not good.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872}' father in law {H2859} said {H559} unto him, The thing {H1697} that thou doest {H6213} is not good {H2896}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 18:17 captures Jethro's direct and pivotal assessment of Moses' leadership, declaring that his solo method of judging all the people's disputes "is not good." This statement serves as a critical turning point, highlighting the unsustainability and inefficiency of Moses' current approach and setting the stage for the implementation of a more organized, delegated system of judicial authority to ensure both Moses' well-being and the timely administration of justice for the vast Israelite community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of Jethro's visit to Moses in the wilderness, specifically at Mount Sinai. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest, arrives having heard of God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their victory over Amalek. After a joyous reunion and a shared meal with the elders of Israel, Jethro observes Moses' daily, exhaustive routine. From morning until evening, Moses sits to judge every dispute brought by the people, acting as an intermediary to inquire of God's statutes and laws for them ([Exodus 18:13-16](/exodus/18-13-16 "Exodus 18:13-16 - Moses Judging the People")). Jethro's blunt declaration in verse 17 directly precedes his profound and practical counsel, which outlines a revolutionary system of delegated authority, establishing judges over various segments of the population ([Exodus 18:18-23](/exodus/18-18-23 "Exodus 18:18-23 - Jethro's Counsel for Delegation")). Thus, this verse functions as the essential diagnostic statement that justifies and initiates Jethro's transformative advice, addressing a critical leadership challenge.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this juncture, the Israelites are a newly liberated, immense multitude, encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. Their sheer numbers, likely in the millions, presented unprecedented logistical and administrative challenges for Moses, their divinely appointed leader. In ancient Near Eastern societies, leaders often served as primary judicial figures, but the scale of Israel's population rendered a single-person judicial system utterly impractical and unsustainable. Jethro, as a Midianite priest and chieftain, likely possessed valuable experience in tribal governance and understood the principles of effective administration. His counsel, though coming from an "outsider," was born of pragmatic wisdom necessary for managing a burgeoning nation. The situation underscores the nascent stage of Israel's legal and social structures, which would later be fully codified through the Mosaic Law, but here, the immediate need for an efficient and equitable judicial system was paramount for the community's well-being, preventing both the leader's exhaustion and the people's frustration from prolonged waits for justice ([Exodus 18:18](/exodus/18-18 "Exodus 18:18 - You will surely wear away")).

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 18:17 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader narrative of Exodus and the Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **wise leadership and delegation**, demonstrating that even divinely appointed leaders have human limitations and require practical wisdom to manage large-scale operations. It introduces the importance of **external counsel**, showing that God can use unexpected sources, like Jethro, to guide His chosen servants towards more effective and sustainable practices. The verse also touches on the theme of **justice and equity for God's people**, emphasizing that effective systems are necessary to ensure that all members of the community receive timely and fair judgment, preventing weariness and frustration among the people ([Exodus 18:18](/exodus/18-18 "Exodus 18:18 - Jethro's Warning of Exhaustion")). Furthermore, it subtly foreshadows the development of more complex **judicial and administrative structures** within Israel, laying groundwork for the later establishment of judges and elders throughout the land, a principle that echoes throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament church, as seen in the appointment of deacons in [Acts 6](/acts/6 "Acts 6 - The Appointment of the Seven").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **father in law (Hebrew, _châthan'_):** The Hebrew term חֹתֵן (H2859, _châthan_) refers to a father-in-law or, more broadly, one who contracts affinity by marriage. Jethro's identity as Moses' father-in-law is crucial. This familial relationship establishes a bond of trust and genuine concern, allowing Jethro to speak with both authority and love. His counsel is not that of a rival or a subordinate, but of an elder kinsman who genuinely cares for Moses' well-being and the welfare of the Israelite community, underscoring the pastoral and relational nature of his intervention.
* **thing (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** The Hebrew word דָבָר (H1697, _dâbâr_) is highly versatile, meaning "a word," "a matter," or "a thing" (as spoken of). In this context, "the thing that thou doest" refers specifically to Moses' method, practice, or affair of sitting alone to judge all the people's disputes. Jethro's critique is directed at the *system* or *way* Moses is performing his duties, rather than his character or divine calling. It highlights that the *matter* at hand, the operational model, is problematic and requires adjustment.
* **not good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** The phrase לֹא טוֹב (H2896, _lo tov'_) is a direct and unequivocal assessment. In biblical Hebrew, "good" (טוֹב, _ṭôwb_) signifies not merely moral rectitude but also suitability, effectiveness, benefit, and flourishing. Conversely, "not good" indicates something that is unsuitable, ineffective, detrimental, or leads to negative consequences. This phrase famously appears in [Genesis 2:18](/genesis/2-18 "Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for man to be alone"), where God declares that solitude for humanity is "not good" because it is not conducive to flourishing. Here, Jethro is not condemning Moses' intentions but critiquing the practical outcome and sustainability of his method of leadership, implying it will lead to exhaustion for Moses and inefficiency or weariness for the people, thus being unproductive and unsustainable for the long term.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses' father in law said unto him,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the speaker and the recipient of the counsel, emphasizing the personal and relational context of the forthcoming advice. Jethro, as Moses' father-in-law, holds a position of respect and familial intimacy, which lends weight and a loving authority to his words. His status as an experienced elder and priest also contributes to his credibility in offering such significant counsel.
* **"The thing that thou doest [is] not good."**: This is the core of Jethro's assessment, a concise yet profound critique. "The thing that thou doest" directly refers to Moses' practice of sitting alone, from morning till evening, to adjudicate every single dispute among the vast multitude of Israelites. The declaration "is not good" is a powerful, practical judgment. It signifies that this method is unsustainable, inefficient, and ultimately detrimental to both Moses' physical and mental well-being, and to the effective and timely administration of justice for the people. It is a statement of pragmatic wisdom, identifying a fundamental flaw in the current operational model that requires immediate rectification.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 18:17 employs **Direct Address/Dialogue**, presenting Jethro's counsel as a straightforward, unvarnished statement delivered personally to Moses. This emphasizes the immediate and urgent nature of the advice, highlighting the relational dynamic between the two men. The phrase "not good" functions almost as an **Aphorism** or **Proverbial Statement**, a concise truth that encapsulates a significant problem and carries broad applicability beyond the immediate context. Its simplicity belies its profound implications regarding efficiency, sustainability, and well-being. This stark declaration also serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing** device, signaling that a significant and necessary change in leadership structure and judicial administration is imminent, crucial for the well-being and effective governance of the burgeoning Israelite nation. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **Contrast** between Moses' current overburdened, unsustainable approach and the potential for a more equitable and sustainable system that Jethro is about to propose, setting up the solution that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 18:17 offers profound insights into the nature of wise leadership, the importance of receiving counsel, and the necessity of sustainable structures in God's work. Jethro's assessment underscores that even divinely appointed leaders, like Moses, are not immune to human limitations and the need for practical wisdom in administration. It highlights a crucial theological principle: God often uses human wisdom and external counsel, even from those outside the immediate covenant community, to guide His servants. The declaration "not good" emphasizes that effective governance and care for God's people require not just zeal and divine commission, but also efficient, scalable systems that prevent burnout, ensure justice for all, and promote the flourishing of the community. This principle of shared burden and delegated authority is foundational for the health and longevity of any community, including the church, preventing individual collapse and ensuring collective thriving.

* [Numbers 11:16-17](/numbers/11-16-17 "Numbers 11:16-17 - God Appoints Seventy Elders")
* [Acts 6:1-4](/acts/6-1-4 "Acts 6:1-4 - The Appointment of the Seven")
* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no counsel, the people fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 18:17 provides timeless lessons for leaders and individuals alike in our contemporary world, serving as a powerful mirror for self-assessment. Jethro's blunt assessment of Moses' leadership is a vital reminder that even the most dedicated, gifted, and divinely called individuals have inherent human limitations. Overwork, the unchecked accumulation of responsibility, and the failure to delegate can inevitably lead to burnout, inefficiency, and a diminished capacity to serve effectively. This verse challenges us to honestly evaluate our own "doings"—whether in ministry, professional life, family responsibilities, or personal commitments—and to humbly recognize when our current methods or workloads are "not good" for our own well-being or for the flourishing of those we are called to serve. It encourages a posture of humility to receive honest counsel from trusted mentors or colleagues, the wisdom to discern and implement sustainable practices, and the courage to initiate changes that distribute burdens and empower others. Ultimately, it calls us to prioritize long-term effectiveness, health, and collective thriving over short-term heroic efforts, ensuring that our service is both fruitful and sustainable for God's glory and the good of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or service might my current "doings" be "not good" for my own sustainability, effectiveness, or the well-being of others?**
* **Am I genuinely open to receiving honest, even blunt, counsel from trusted mentors, colleagues, or spiritual advisors, especially when it challenges my established practices?**
* **Where can I practice wise delegation, empower others, or engage in burden-sharing to ensure more effective and sustainable outcomes, both for myself and for the community I serve?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jethro's advice so crucial for Moses and the Israelites?**

Answer: Jethro's advice was profoundly crucial because Moses' solo judicial system was utterly unsustainable for a nation of potentially millions. As Jethro himself articulates in [Exodus 18:18](/exodus/18-18 "Exodus 18:18 - Jethro's Warning of Exhaustion"), both Moses and the people would "surely wear away" under such an immense burden. The sheer volume of disputes meant interminable waits for justice, leading to widespread frustration, potential unrest, and a breakdown of order among the people. For Moses, it meant severe physical and mental exhaustion, which would inevitably compromise his effectiveness in his primary role as God's prophet, lawgiver, and spiritual leader. Jethro's counsel provided a practical, scalable, and divinely sanctioned solution—the delegation of judicial authority to capable leaders—that ensured both Moses' longevity in leadership and the equitable and timely administration of justice for the entire community ([Exodus 18:21-22](/exodus/18-21-22 "Exodus 18:21-22 - Jethro's Plan for Delegation")).

**What is the deeper meaning of "not good" beyond simple inefficiency?**

Answer: The phrase "not good" (לֹא טוֹב, _lo tov_) carries significant theological and existential weight beyond mere inefficiency. Its most famous prior usage is in [Genesis 2:18](/genesis/2-18 "Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for man to be alone"), where God declares it "not good" for man to be alone, implying a state that is contrary to flourishing, wholeness, or the divine design for humanity. In Exodus 18:17, Jethro's use of "not good" similarly suggests that Moses' method was not conducive to the overall well-being and flourishing of the community or Moses himself. It implied a system that was detrimental, leading to exhaustion, injustice, and potentially hindering the nascent nation's ability to thrive under God's covenant. It was a call to align their practical administration with principles of wisdom, order, and sustainability, reflecting God's desire for His people to live in a state of shalom, or holistic well-being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 18:17, with Jethro's insightful critique of Moses' overburdened leadership, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. While Moses, as God's chosen leader, was overwhelmed by the immense burden of judging every dispute, Jesus Christ embodies the perfect, inexhaustible wisdom and ultimate Judge who never tires. Unlike Moses, who needed external counsel and delegated authority due to human limitation, Jesus is the divine Counselor, the very wisdom of God personified ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom and Righteousness")). He perfectly bore the ultimate burden of sin and judgment, not by delegating it, but by taking it upon Himself as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), thereby fulfilling the law and providing perfect justice and mercy for all who believe. Furthermore, Jesus, in His earthly ministry, exemplified wise delegation, empowering His disciples to carry out aspects of His mission ([Matthew 10:1](/matthew/10-1 "Matthew 10:1 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve") and [Luke 10:1](/luke/10-1 "Luke 10:1 - Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two")), thereby establishing a model for the church as a body where burdens are shared and spiritual gifts are distributed for the common good and the building up of the saints ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). The "not good" reality of human limitation in leadership ultimately points to Christ, who is eternally "good" in His perfect governance, inexhaustible strength, and redemptive work, ensuring that His people are never left without perfect counsel and care.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.