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Exodus 18:22

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 18:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee.
Exodus 18:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee.
23If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace.
24So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
25And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
← Exodus 18:21Exodus 18:23 →
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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
“And let them judge the people at all times, etc.] In their several districts, whenever a matter of difference between man and man arises, and the case is brought before them, let them judge impartially between them, and determine what is right and wrong, and execute judgment and justice truly; which would take off a great deal of business from the hands of Moses: and it shall be that every great matter they shall bring to thee; any affair of great importance, and difficult of determination, and about which the judges may have some doubt in their minds, and they are not clear as to the decision of it; this, they the judges, not the people, were to bring to Moses: but every small matter; which…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“at all seasons: Exo 18:26; Rom 13:6 great: Lev 24:11; Num 15:33, Num 27:2, Num 36:1; Deu 1:17, Deu 17:8, Deu 17:9 they shall: Exo 18:18; Num 11:17 Exodus 18:23”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification