BibleWord.ai› Bible› Exodus› Chapter 18› Verse 17

Exodus 18:17

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 18:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Moses` father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Moses` father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
Exodus 18:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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:
20and 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.
← Exodus 18:16Exodus 18:18 →
← Full Chapter 18 Exodus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Moses’s father in law said unto him, etc.] Having observed what he did, and heard his answer to the question he put to him: the thing that thou doest is not good; not meaning that it was not morally good, or that it was morally evil; for it was certainly a good thing to inquire of the mind and will of God for the people, and to hear and decide matters in controversy between them, and do justice to both parties; but it was not good for the health of Moses; it was not commodious and convenient for him; it was not for his bodily welfare; it was too much for him, as he explains himself in the next verse.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing . . . is not good--not good either for Moses himself, for the maintenance of justice, or for the satisfaction and interests of the people. Jethro gave a prudent counsel as to the division of labor [Exo 18:21-22], and universal experience in the Church and State has attested the soundness and advantages of the principle.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Not good - Not convenient either for thee or them. Exodus 18:19”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:17-18 Such a leader-centered approach is not good for either the leader or the people (see also 18:23).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“not good: Exo 18:14; Deu 1:12; Kg1 3:8, Kg1 3:9, Kg1 13:18; Ch2 19:6; Mat 17:4; Joh 13:6-10 Exodus 18:18”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification