Exodus 18:22

KJV

And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, [that] every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And let them judge {H8199} the people {H5971} at all seasons {H6256}: and it shall be, that every great {H1419} matter {H1697} they shall bring {H935} unto thee, but every small {H6996} matter {H1697} they shall judge {H8199}: so shall it be easier {H7043} for thyself, and they shall bear {H5375} the burden with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Normally, they will settle the people's disputes. They should bring you the difficult cases; but ordinary matters they should decide themselves. In this way, they will make it easier for you and share the load with you.

Berean Standard Bible

Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.

American Standard Version

and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 18:22 encapsulates Jethro's transformative counsel to Moses, establishing a foundational principle of judicial delegation and shared leadership within the nascent nation of Israel. This pivotal verse outlines a tiered system where appointed judges resolve lesser disputes, while only the most significant matters are brought to Moses, thereby alleviating his unsustainable burden and fostering a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable system of justice for the people of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 18:22 serves as the operational climax of Jethro's sagacious counsel to Moses, addressing the unsustainable burden of single-handedly judging the entire Israelite multitude. The narrative preceding this verse vividly portrays Moses seated "from the morning unto the evening," adjudicating every dispute for the people, a practice that was clearly exhausting both to him and to the waiting populace, as described in [Exodus 18:13-16](/exodus/18-13-16 "Exodus 18:13-16 - Moses Judging the People"). Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, astutely observes this inefficiency and warns that Moses would "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" ([Exodus 18:18](/exodus/18-18 "Exodus 18:18 - Jethro's Warning to Moses")). His initial advice, found in [Exodus 18:19-20](/exodus/18-19-20 "Exodus 18:19-20 - Moses' Role as Intercessor and Teacher"), delineates Moses' continuing, indispensable roles: representing the people before God and teaching them God's statutes and laws. Crucially, [Exodus 18:21](/exodus/18-21 "Exodus 18:21 - Qualifications for Judges") then lays out the rigorous qualifications for the men to be appointed as judges—"able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness"—and specifies their hierarchical organization over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Exodus 18:22 then precisely details the division of labor within this newly proposed judicial structure, ensuring that justice would be both efficient and accessible, thereby completing Jethro's administrative blueprint.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this juncture in the wilderness journey, the Israelites were a vast, recently liberated multitude, numbering in the millions, undergoing a profound transition from a collection of enslaved tribes to a unified nation under God's covenant. However, they lacked any established civil or judicial infrastructure beyond Moses' singular authority. Moses, divinely appointed as leader and prophet, bore the overwhelming responsibility for every aspect of their nascent society, from mediating disputes to receiving and transmitting divine law. This extreme centralization, while necessary for certain aspects of divine revelation and initial leadership, proved utterly impractical for the daily administration of justice for such a large and diverse population. Their nomadic existence further precluded the establishment of fixed, formal courts. Jethro, a Midianite priest and likely an experienced leader in his own right, brought an invaluable outside perspective, potentially drawing from the administrative practices of more settled societies. His counsel was not merely practical; it was essential for the long-term stability, functionality, and equitable governance of the burgeoning Israelite community, ensuring that the people's pervasive needs for justice were met without crushing their divinely appointed leader.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 18:22 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Order and Wisdom**, demonstrating that God's plan for His people includes practical, wise administration alongside spiritual guidance. While Moses was uniquely called, the passage illustrates that even divine leadership benefits from human wisdom and organizational structure, reflecting God's orderly character. The verse also powerfully develops the theme of **Delegated Authority and Shared Leadership**, moving from a highly centralized model to one that empowers capable individuals within the community. This delegation is not a relinquishing of authority but a wise distribution of responsibility, fostering a sense of collective ownership and participation in governance. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Justice and Accessibility**, emphasizing that a fair and timely resolution of disputes is crucial for the well-being of God's people. By establishing a tiered system, justice becomes more readily available to all, from the smallest matter to the greatest, ensuring the smooth functioning of the community and preventing the people from "wearing away" in endless queues for judgment, as highlighted in [Exodus 18:18](/exodus/18-18 "Exodus 18:18 - Jethro's Warning"). This organizational structure ultimately serves to facilitate the people's obedience to God's statutes and laws, a core theme throughout [Exodus](/exodus/18 "Exodus 18 - Jethro's Counsel to Moses") and the subsequent books of the Torah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judge (Hebrew, _shâphaṭ'_ H8199):** The Hebrew verb שָׁפַט (_shâphaṭ_) is translated as "judge" but carries a much broader semantic range than merely making a legal ruling. According to the Ground Truth Strong's Data, it means "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)." In this context, it signifies the comprehensive responsibility of these appointed men to oversee and resolve the daily affairs and disputes of the people, acting as local administrators, arbiters of fairness, and even governors, thereby establishing order and upholding justice throughout the community.
* **Matter (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_ H1697):** The Hebrew noun דָבָר (_dâbâr_) is translated as "matter" but is a remarkably versatile word. As per the Ground Truth Strong's Data, it means "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause." Its extensive range of meanings includes "act, advice, affair, answer, business, care, case, cause, commandment, counsel, decree, deed, duty, judgment, language, message, thing, word, work." In Exodus 18:22, _dâbâr_ refers to the specific cases, disputes, or issues brought before the judges, encompassing everything from minor disagreements to significant legal or communal conflicts requiring careful adjudication. The repetition of "great matter" and "small matter" underscores the comprehensive scope of the judicial system.
* **Bear (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_ H5375):** The Hebrew verb נָסָא (_nâsâʼ_) means "to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative." The Ground Truth Strong's Data expands on this, including "accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), carry (away), contain, ease, exalt (self), fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable, lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, swear, take (away, up), utterly, wear, yield." Here, it is used metaphorically to convey the immense physical, mental, and emotional toll that Moses's previous, all-encompassing judicial role was taking on him. The word emphasizes the oppressive nature of the responsibility and the critical need for its alleviation through delegation, highlighting the shared effort of "bearing the burden" together.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And let them judge the people at all seasons":** This initial clause establishes the ongoing, continuous, and readily available nature of the judicial function delegated to the newly appointed leaders. It implies that justice should be accessible to the people whenever disputes or issues arise, not just during specific, limited times when Moses is available. This ensures consistent and timely resolution for the community.
* **"and it shall be, [that] every great matter they shall bring unto thee":** This specifies the hierarchical structure of the new system. While the newly appointed judges are empowered to handle the vast majority of cases, Moses retains ultimate authority and responsibility for complex, critical, or unprecedented matters. These "great matters" are those that require his unique wisdom, direct divine guidance, or the highest level of leadership, ensuring that the most significant issues receive the attention of the supreme authority.
* **"but every small matter they shall judge":** This clearly defines the scope of the delegated authority, delineating the responsibilities of the lower-tier judges. The routine, less complex, or minor disputes are to be handled entirely by these appointed individuals, effectively freeing Moses from the minutiae of daily administration and allowing him to focus on his more strategic and divinely ordained roles.
* **"so shall it be easier for thyself":** This highlights the immediate and direct benefit of the delegation to Moses. It acknowledges the unsustainable nature of his previous workload and promises significant relief from the physical, mental, and emotional strain. This alleviation is crucial for preventing burnout and preserving Moses' capacity for his most vital roles as intercessor and teacher of God's law.
* **"and they shall bear [the burden] with thee":** This emphasizes the profound principle of shared responsibility and collective leadership. The "burden" of governance and justice is not simply removed from Moses but is strategically distributed among qualified individuals. This fosters a sense of communal ownership, mutual support, and active participation in the governance and care of the people, transforming a singular, overwhelming load into a manageable, collective effort.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [Exodus 18](/exodus/18 "Exodus 18 - Jethro's Counsel to Moses"), particularly verse 22, employs several literary devices to convey its profound message of administrative wisdom and shared leadership. There is a clear use of **Contrast** between "every great matter" and "every small matter," which highlights the deliberate and logical division of labor inherent in the tiered judicial system. This contrast is part of a broader **Structural Parallelism** that neatly balances the responsibilities, assigning specific types of cases to different levels of authority. The phrase "bear [the burden] with thee" functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, transforming the abstract concept of shared responsibility and administrative load into a tangible image of physical relief from a heavy weight. Furthermore, Jethro's entire counsel, culminating in this verse, can be seen as an exemplary instance of **Practical Wisdom Literature**, offering sagacious, immediately applicable advice on governance and leadership. This demonstrates a universal principle of effective administration that transcends cultural and historical boundaries, showcasing the value of discerning counsel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 18:22 is profoundly significant, establishing a divine precedent for delegated authority and shared leadership within God's people. It underscores that even divinely appointed leaders are not meant to bear the entire weight of responsibility alone, but rather to wisely empower and equip others to serve. This principle reflects God's orderly nature and His design for community, where burdens are distributed, and diverse gifts are utilized for the common good. It teaches that true leadership involves not just personal capability, but also the wisdom to organize, delegate, and build a supportive structure that ensures justice and care for all, preventing burnout and fostering collective flourishing. This model of distributed leadership ensures the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of God's work through His people.

* [Deuteronomy 1:9-18](/deuteronomy/1-9-18 "Deuteronomy 1:9-18 - Moses Recounts the Appointment of Judges")
* [Acts 6:1-7](/acts/6-1-7 "Acts 6:1-7 - The Appointment of the Seven")
* [Romans 12:4-8](/romans/12-4-8 "Romans 12:4-8 - Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The timeless wisdom of Exodus 18:22 offers profound insights for leadership in every sphere of life, from family and community to business and the church. It challenges leaders to humbly recognize their own limitations and to resist the temptation to shoulder every responsibility alone, a common pitfall that leads to exhaustion and inefficiency. Instead, it calls for intentional empowerment and delegation, identifying, equipping, and entrusting capable individuals to share the load. This not only prevents leader burnout but also fosters the growth, participation, and ownership of others, building a more resilient, effective, and collaborative collective. For individuals within any group or organization, this verse encourages us to be willing to step up and bear burdens with our leaders, recognizing that we are all part of a larger body designed to function interdependently. It prompts us to consider where we might be holding onto responsibilities that could be effectively shared, and where we might be neglecting to offer our gifts and support in service of the common good. Ultimately, it promotes a healthier, more sustainable model of communal life and work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or leadership am I attempting to bear a "burden" alone that could be wisely shared or delegated?**
* **How can I better identify, affirm, and empower capable individuals around me to share responsibilities, fostering their growth and contribution?**
* **Am I humble enough to receive wise counsel, even from unexpected or seemingly external sources, regarding my methods and workload?**
* **How does the principle of shared leadership in Exodus 18:22 relate to the functioning of the church as the body of Christ, where every member has a vital role?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jethro, a Midianite priest, give counsel to Moses, God's chosen leader?**

Answer: Jethro's counsel highlights that God, in His sovereign wisdom, can use various means and individuals, even those outside the direct covenant community, to provide practical wisdom and guidance for His people. Moses, despite his unique divine calling and direct communion with God, demonstrated profound humility and wisdom by listening to and implementing Jethro's practical advice. This shows that divine guidance does not negate the value of sound, practical wisdom, and that effective leaders should be open to counsel from diverse sources. Moses' willingness to heed Jethro's voice, as recorded in [Exodus 18:24](/exodus/18-24 "Exodus 18:24 - Moses Heeds Jethro's Counsel"), underscores his teachability and unwavering commitment to the well-being and efficient governance of the Israelites.

**What were the specific qualifications for the men selected to be judges, as mentioned in the preceding verse?**

Answer: [Exodus 18:21](/exodus/18-21 "Exodus 18:21 - Qualifications for Judges") specifies four key qualifications for these appointed judges, emphasizing both competence and character. They were to be "able men" (competent, skilled, and capable of discerning justice), "such as fear God" (possessing reverence, awe, and obedience to the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom), "men of truth" (honest, reliable, and committed to integrity), and "hating covetousness" (incorruptible, disinterested in personal gain, and immune to bribery). These criteria underscore that those entrusted with administering justice must possess not only administrative aptitude but also profound moral and spiritual integrity.

**Did Moses actually implement Jethro's advice?**

Answer: Yes, the biblical text explicitly states that Moses heeded Jethro's counsel and put it into practice. [Exodus 18:24](/exodus/18-24 "Exodus 18:24 - Moses Implements Jethro's Advice") records, "So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said." He then proceeded to choose qualified men from all Israel and set them up as heads over the people, establishing the tiered judicial system as described. This implementation demonstrates the practical impact of this pivotal moment of delegation and organizational restructuring for the nascent nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 18:22, with its emphasis on delegated authority and shared burden, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jesus is the ultimate Judge and King, bearing the weight of the world's sin and governing all things by His mighty power ([John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Jesus Given Authority to Judge"), [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")), He also perfectly models the principle of delegation and empowerment. Just as Moses needed others to bear the burden of judging, Jesus, though fully capable of accomplishing His mission alone, chose and trained twelve disciples, commissioning them to continue His work and bear His message to the ends of the earth ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"), [John 20:21](/john/20-21 "John 20:21 - Jesus Commissions His Disciples")). He invites His followers to share in His mission and to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" ([Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bearing One Another's Burdens")). He promises rest to those who are weary and heavy-laden, inviting them to take His yoke upon them, which is easy and light ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")). The church, as the body of Christ, functions on this very principle: Christ is the head, but He empowers every member with diverse spiritual gifts to serve and contribute, ensuring that the work of the kingdom is accomplished not by one individual, but through the collective, Spirit-empowered collaboration of many ([Ephesians 4:11-16](/ephesians/4-11-16 "Ephesians 4:11-16 - Christ Gives Gifts to the Church"), [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). Thus, the practical wisdom of Exodus 18:22 foreshadows the relational and empowering leadership model perfectly embodied and instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, who distributes responsibilities and enables His people to share in His glorious work.

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.

Cross-References

Numbers 11:17

And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone.

Exodus 18:26

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

Numbers 15:33

And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.

Numbers 27:2

And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, [by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Leviticus 24:11

And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name [of the LORD], and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name [was] Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)

Deuteronomy 1:17

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it.

Deuteronomy 1:18

And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.