The Meaning of Exodus 18:16 Explained

Exodus 18:16

KJV: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

YLT: when they have a matter, it hath come unto me, and I have judged between a man and his neighbour, and made known the statutes of God, and His laws.'

Darby: When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known to them the statutes of God, and his laws.

ASV: when they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

When they have a matter,  they come  unto me; and I judge  between one  and another,  and I do make [them] know  the statutes  of God,  and his laws. 

What does Exodus 18:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 18:13-27 - Moses Appoints Rulers To Judge Israel
Jethro's frank acknowledgment of God's supremacy and lovingkindness was extremely beautiful. Oh, for more wisdom to discern, and humble reverence to acknowledge the divine goodness wherever we encounter it. His advice also was most sagacious. It is far better to set a thousand people to work than attempt to do the work of a thousand. The greatest and most useful men are those who know how to devolve on others work for which these are quite competent, while they concentrate themselves on matters of the highest moment, which the others cannot undertake. Thus character is created. It is the highest service of all to bring men's requests and causes to God, and then to show them the way in which they should walk and the work they should do. In the best sense this is what Jesus does for us all. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 18

1  Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses
7  Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord
9  Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice
13  He gives good counsel, which is accepted
27  Jethro departs

What do the individual words in Exodus 18:16 mean?

When have they a difficulty they come to me and I judge between one and another and I make known - the statutes of God and His laws
כִּֽי־ יִהְיֶ֨ה לָהֶ֤ם דָּבָר֙ בָּ֣א אֵלַ֔י וְשָׁ֣פַטְתִּ֔י בֵּ֥ין אִ֖ישׁ וּבֵ֣ין רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְהוֹדַעְתִּ֛י אֶת־ חֻקֵּ֥י הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים וְאֶת־ תּוֹרֹתָֽיו

דָּבָר֙  a  difficulty 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
בָּ֣א  they  come 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
אֵלַ֔י  to  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
וְשָׁ֣פַטְתִּ֔י  and  I  judge 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: שָׁפַט  
Sense: to judge, govern, vindicate, punish.
בֵּ֥ין  between 
Parse: Preposition
Root: בַּיִן 
Sense: between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between.
אִ֖ישׁ  one 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
רֵעֵ֑הוּ  another 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: רֵעַ  
Sense: friend, companion, fellow, another person.
וְהוֹדַעְתִּ֛י  and  I  make  known 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
חֻקֵּ֥י  the  statutes 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: חֹק  
Sense: statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due.
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים  of  God 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
תּוֹרֹתָֽיו  His  laws 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: תֹּורָה  
Sense: law, direction, instruction.