Exodus 18:17
New International Version
Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good.

New Living Translation
“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.

English Standard Version
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.

Berean Standard Bible
But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.

King James Bible
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

New King James Version
So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.

New American Standard Bible
Moses’ father-in-law then said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.

NASB 1995
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.

NASB 1977
And Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.

Amplified Bible
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.

Christian Standard Bible
“What you’re doing is not good,” Moses’s father-in-law said to him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What you’re doing is not good,” Moses’ father-in-law said to him. “

American Standard Version
And Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

Contemporary English Version
Jethro replied: That isn't the best way to do it.

English Revised Version
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you're doing is not good.

Good News Translation
Then Jethro said, "You are not doing this right.

International Standard Version
Moses' father-in-law told him, "What you are doing is not good.

Majority Standard Bible
But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.

NET Bible
Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good!

New Heart English Bible
Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses's father-in-law said to him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

World English Bible
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the father-in-law of Moses says to him, “The thing which you are doing [is] not good;

Young's Literal Translation
And the father-in-law of Moses saith unto him, 'The thing which thou art doing is not good;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses' father-in-law will say to him, The word is not good which thou doest.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he said: The thing thou dost is not good.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he said, “This is not good, what you are doing.

New American Bible
“What you are doing is not wise,” Moses’ father-in-law replied.

New Revised Standard Version
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses' father-in-law said to him, The thing that you are doing is not good.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his Father in Law said to Moshe, you are not doing well.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses' father-in-law said unto him: 'The thing that thou doest is not good.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the father-in-law of Moses said to him, Thou dost not this thing rightly,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jethro Advises Moses
16“Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me to judge between one man and another, and I make known to them the statutes and laws of God.” 17But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.…

Cross References
Numbers 11:14-17
I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me. / If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.” / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. ...

Deuteronomy 1:9-14
At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. / The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. ...

Acts 6:1-4
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ...

1 Kings 3:9
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”

Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 24:6
Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

2 Corinthians 2:16
To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; / if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; / if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

1 Peter 4:10-11
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. / If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

1 Timothy 5:17
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.


Treasury of Scripture

And Moses' father in law said to him, The thing that you do is not good.

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Father-In-Law Good Law Moses Moses's
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














But Moses’ father-in-law
This phrase introduces Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who plays a significant role in this chapter. Jethro, also known as Reuel, was a Midianite priest, which indicates a position of respect and wisdom. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah, suggesting a shared heritage with the Israelites. Jethro's relationship with Moses is significant as it shows the importance of family and the value of external counsel. In the Hebrew context, the term for "father-in-law" (חֹתֵן, choten) emphasizes the familial bond and respect inherent in this relationship.

said to him
This phrase highlights the act of speaking, which in biblical times was a primary means of communication and instruction. The Hebrew verb "אמר" (amar) is used here, which often introduces important declarations or advice. The act of speaking by Jethro signifies the transmission of wisdom and guidance, a theme prevalent throughout the Scriptures where God often uses individuals to convey His will and wisdom.

What you are doing
This phrase refers to Moses' actions in leading and judging the people of Israel. The context here is Moses' overwhelming task of serving as the sole judge for the Israelites, which was unsustainable. The Hebrew word for "doing" (עֹשֶׂה, oseh) implies ongoing action, indicating that Moses was continuously engaged in this task. This highlights the burden and responsibility of leadership, a recurring theme in the Bible where leaders are often called to serve with wisdom and discernment.

is not good
Jethro's assessment of Moses' actions is direct and clear. The Hebrew word for "good" (טוֹב, tov) is often used in the Bible to describe what is beneficial, pleasing, or in accordance with God's will. By stating "is not good," Jethro is pointing out that Moses' current method is neither beneficial for him nor for the people. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that even well-intentioned actions can be misguided if they lead to burnout or inefficiency. It also reflects the importance of wise counsel and the need for leaders to be open to constructive criticism.

(17) The thing that thou doest is not good.--Weighty as the arguments were, they failed to convince Jethro. He brought forward counter-arguments. By continuing to act as hitherto, Moses would, in the first place, exhaust his own strength, and, secondly exhaust the patience of the people. His practice was un advisable, both on his own account and on theirs. To keep suitors waiting all day, and perhaps finally dismiss then without their turn having come, was not fair upon them.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Moses’
מֹשֶׁ֖ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

father-in-law
חֹתֵ֥ן (ḥō·ṯên)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage

said
וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
אֵלָ֑יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“What
הַדָּבָ֔ר (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

you are
אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

doing
עֹשֶֽׂה׃ (‘ō·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

is not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

good.
טוֹב֙ (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good


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OT Law: Exodus 18:17 Moses' father-in-law said to him The thing (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 18:16
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