Exodus 18:19
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
Original Language Analysis
עַתָּ֞ה
H6258
שְׁמַ֤ע
Hearken
H8085
שְׁמַ֤ע
Hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔
I will give thee counsel
H3289
אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔
I will give thee counsel
Strong's:
H3289
Word #:
4 of 18
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
הֱיֵ֧ה
shall be
H1961
הֱיֵ֧ה
shall be
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
and God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
and God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עִמָּ֑ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
7 of 18
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
הֱיֵ֧ה
shall be
H1961
הֱיֵ֧ה
shall be
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָעָ֗ם
with thee Be thou for the people
H5971
לָעָ֗ם
with thee Be thou for the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מ֚וּל
to God-ward
H4136
מ֚וּל
to God-ward
Strong's:
H4136
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
and God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
and God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְהֵֽבֵאתָ֥
that thou mayest bring
H935
וְהֵֽבֵאתָ֥
that thou mayest bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
13 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Numbers 27:5And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.Exodus 20:19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.Exodus 3:12And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.Genesis 39:2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.Deuteronomy 5:5(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,Proverbs 9:9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.Exodus 4:16And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.Exodus 18:15And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:Exodus 18:24So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.Exodus 4:12Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Historical Context
Moses' mediatorial role would be formalized at Sinai where he alone ascends the mountain to receive the law. This unique access to God defined his leadership throughout wilderness wandering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does distinguishing between irreplaceable calling and delegable tasks prevent both burnout and abdication?
- What does Moses' mediation prefigure about Christ's exclusive role as mediator between God and humanity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God—Jethro identifies Moses' irreplaceable role: mediator between people and God. The phrase 'for the people to God-ward' (לָעָם מוּל הָאֱלֹהִים, la'am mul ha'Elohim, literally 'for the people opposite God') pictures Moses standing before God on Israel's behalf. This unique mediatorial function cannot be delegated—only Moses brings 'causes' (דְּבָרִים, d'varim, 'words, matters') to God. This prefigures Christ's exclusive mediatorial role: 'there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus' (1 Tim 2:5). Jethro's wisdom distinguishes between unique calling (mediation) and delegable functions (judging routine matters), a distinction essential for sustainable leadership.