The Meaning of Exodus 18:20 Explained

Exodus 18:20

KJV: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

YLT: and thou hast warned them concerning the statutes and the laws, and hast made known to them the way in which they go, and the work which they do.

Darby: and teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

ASV: and thou shalt teach them the statutes and the laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt teach  them ordinances  and laws,  and shalt shew  them the way  wherein they must walk,  and the work  that they must do. 

What does Exodus 18:20 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 18:20 mean?

And you shall teach them - the statutes and the laws and show them the way they must walk in which the work that they must do
וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֣ה אֶתְהֶ֔ם אֶת־ הַחֻקִּ֖ים וְאֶת־ הַתּוֹרֹ֑ת וְהוֹדַעְתָּ֣ לָהֶ֗ם הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ יֵ֣לְכוּ בָ֔הּ הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲשֽׂוּן

וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֣ה  And  you  shall  teach 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: זָהַר 
Sense: to admonish, warn, teach, shine, send out light, be light, be shining.
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.
הַחֻקִּ֖ים  the  statutes 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: חֹק  
Sense: statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due.
הַתּוֹרֹ֑ת  the  laws 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: תֹּורָה  
Sense: law, direction, instruction.
וְהוֹדַעְתָּ֣  and  show 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙  the  way 
Parse: Article, Noun, common singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
יֵ֣לְכוּ  they  must  walk 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
בָ֔הּ  in  which 
Parse: Preposition, third person feminine singular
הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה  the  work 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יַעֲשֽׂוּן  they  must  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, Paragogic nun
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.