Exodus 18:17
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 18:17
17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
Chapter Context
Exodus 18 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of truth, judgment, covenant. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-27: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 18:17
17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
Analysis
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good—Jethro's blunt assessment 'not good' (לֹא־טוֹב, lo-tov) uses the same phrase God used at creation: 'not good that man should be alone' (Gen 2:18). Both situations require help. Jethro's directness shows that true counsel speaks honestly, not merely affirmingly. His reasoning 'Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee' predicts burnout—the Hebrew נָבֹל תִּבֹּל (navol tibol, literally 'fading you will fade') intensifies the warning. The phrase 'for this thing is too heavy for thee' (כִּי־כָבֵד מִמְּךָ הַדָּבָר, ki-khaved mimm'kha hadavar) echoes Moses' earlier complaint to God (Num 11:14). Jethro diagnoses organizational problem Moses hasn't recognized.
Historical Context
Jethro's organizational wisdom likely derived from governing Midianite tribes. His outside perspective identified structural problems Moses' immersion in daily ministry obscured.
Reflection
- How does Jethro's honesty ('not good') model that true counsel speaks truth, not merely encouragement?
- What does the warning of 'wearing away' teach about sustainability in ministry?
Word Studies
- Word: דָּבָר (Davar) H1697 - Word, thing, matter