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Exodus 18:16

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 18:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Exodus 18:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood about Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14And when Moses` father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand about thee from morning unto even?
15And Moses said unto his father-in-law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:
16when 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.
17And Moses` father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
18Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for the thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
19Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, and bring thou the causes unto God:
← Exodus 18:15Exodus 18:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When they have a matter, they come unto me, etc.] This is the other thing he did for them, as the above writer observes; which being last mentioned, he speaks of first, as follows, meaning that when there was a matter in difference between two persons or more, and they could not agree upon it among themselves, then they brought it to him to be heard and decided: and I judge between one and another; hear what they have to say on both sides, and then judge which is in the right and which is in the wrong, and determine what is to be done, according to the laws of God or according to the rules of justice and equity: and I do make them know the statutes of God and his laws; this relates to the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I judge between one and another - And if the people were as quarrelsome one with another as they were with God, he had many causes brought before him, and the more because their trials put them to no expence. Exodus 18:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a matter: Exo 23:7, Exo 24:14; Deu 17:8-12; Sa2 15:3; Job 31:13; Act 18:14, Act 18:15; Co1 6:1 one and another: Heb. a man and his fellow, Exo 2:13 make: Lev 24:15; Num 15:35, Num 27:6-11, Num 36:6-9; Deu 4:5, Deu 5:1, Deu 6:1; Sa1 12:23; Mat 28:20; Th1 4:1, Th1 4:2 Exodus 18:17”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification