Exodus 18:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

NIV: But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

NASB: Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

CSB: But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit. Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

NLT: But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.

KJV: Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

NKJV: Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Exodus 18:13–27 contains Jethro's helpful advice to Moses. Jethro advises his son-in-law not to take on the burden of resolving every dispute or question among the Israelites. Instead, he advises Moses to appoint a series of leaders. Each can pass a difficult judgment up to the next level. Only those which cannot be resolved by the lower levels should be brought to Moses. This frees Moses from trivial questions and lets him focus on larger concerns.

Moses' father-in-law Jethro (Exodus 4:18) has heard everything which happened to free the Hebrews from slavery (Exodus 12:40–41). He visits Israel, bringing Moses' family along. The two men share a happy reunion. After hearing more about the Lord's work, Jethro offers sacrifices. The next day, he notices that Moses is overwhelmed by making decisions for the people. Jethro suggests Moses appoint levels of leaders who can make lesser verdicts. Moses can then focus on teaching the people God's primary commands and resolving disputes which others cannot judge. This frees Moses to only arbitrate difficult situations.

Through God's power, Israel has just defeated an Amalekite attack (Exodus 17:8–13). Now Moses' father-in-law (Exodus 2:16–22) makes a visit. This man is Jethro, also known as Reuel. He sees Moses' burden as a leader and suggests ways to ease the pressure. Next, Israel will arrive at Mount Sinai. There they will receive God's instructions in the form of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19—20) and other specific components of God's covenant with them.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.