Exodus 18:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
יִשְׁפְּטוּ
And let them judge
H8199
יִשְׁפְּטוּ
And let them judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
1 of 20
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָם֮
the people
H5971
הָעָם֮
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵת֒
at all seasons
H6256
עֵת֒
at all seasons
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
5 of 20
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
וְהָיָ֞ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֞ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדָּבָ֥ר
matter
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
8 of 20
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַגָּדֹל֙
and it shall be that every great
H1419
הַגָּדֹל֙
and it shall be that every great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
9 of 20
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
יָבִ֣יאוּ
they shall bring
H935
יָבִ֣יאוּ
they shall bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
10 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדָּבָ֥ר
matter
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 20
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַקָּטֹ֖ן
unto thee but every small
H6996
הַקָּטֹ֖ן
unto thee but every small
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
14 of 20
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
יִשְׁפְּטוּ
And let them judge
H8199
יִשְׁפְּטוּ
And let them judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
15 of 20
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
וְהָקֵל֙
so shall it be easier
H7043
וְהָקֵל֙
so shall it be easier
Strong's:
H7043
Word #:
17 of 20
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
H5921
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Numbers 11:17And 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 18:26And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.Leviticus 24:11And 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:)Numbers 15:33And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.Numbers 36:1And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:Numbers 27:2And 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,
Historical Context
This judicial hierarchy became the pattern for Israel's governance throughout their history. Local judges handled routine matters; exceptional cases reached national leaders (cf. Deut 1:9-18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does delegation that retains final authority differ from abdication?
- What does 'bearing burden with thee' teach about shared ministry versus solitary hero leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—Jethro's organizational plan establishes distributed justice: routine cases handled locally, exceptional cases escalated to Moses. The phrase 'at all seasons' (בְּכָל־עֵת, b'khol-et) means continuous availability—justice isn't occasional but constant. The distinction between 'great matter' (דָּבָר הַגָּדֹל, davar hagadol) and 'small matter' (דָּבָר־קָטֹן, davar-qaton) requires wisdom to discern what requires higher authority. The benefit 'so shall it be easier for thyself' addresses Moses' burden, while 'they shall bear the burden with thee' implements burden-sharing. This delegation doesn't diminish Moses' authority but extends it through subordinates, modeling Christ's distribution of ministry through the church (Eph 4:11-12).