Exodus 18:16
New International Version
Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”

New Living Translation
When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”

English Standard Version
when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.”

Berean Standard Bible
“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.”

King James Bible
When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

New King James Version
When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

New American Standard Bible
When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between someone and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

NASB 1995
“When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

NASB 1977
“When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

Legacy Standard Bible
When they have a matter, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

Amplified Bible
When they have a dispute they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

Christian Standard Bible
Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I make a decision between one man and another. I teach them God’s statutes and laws.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I make a decision between one man and another. I teach them God’s statutes and laws."”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
They bring their complaints to me, and I make decisions on the basis of God's laws."

English Revised Version
when they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between a man and his neighbour, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whenever they have a disagreement and bring it to me, I decide which person is right, and I tell them God's laws and instructions."

Good News Translation
When two people have a dispute, they come to me, and I decide which one of them is right, and I tell them God's commands and laws."

International Standard Version
When they have a dispute, it comes to me and I decide between a person and his neighbor, and make known the statutes of God and his instructions."

Majority Standard Bible
“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.”

NET Bible
When they have a dispute, it comes to me and I decide between a man and his neighbor, and I make known the decrees of God and his laws."

New Heart English Bible
When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws."

Webster's Bible Translation
When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between one and another, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

World English Bible
When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
when they have a matter, it has come to me, and I have judged between a man and his neighbor, and made known the statutes of God, and His laws.”

Young's Literal Translation
when they have a matter, it hath come unto me, and I have judged between a man and his neighbour, and made known the statutes of God, and His laws.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For when the word will be to them, they came to me, and I judged between a man and between his friend, and I made known the laws of God and his precepts.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when any controversy falleth out among them, they come to me to judge between them, and to shew the precepts of God, and his laws.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when any kind of dispute occurs among them, they come to me to judge between them, and to reveal the precepts of God and of his laws.”

New American Bible
Whenever they have a disagreement, they come to me to have me settle the matter between them and make known to them God’s statutes and instructions.”

New Revised Standard Version
When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they have a controversy, they come to me; and I judge between one and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when they have a matter they come to me and I judge between a man with his neighbor and I show to them the commandments of God and his laws.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
when they have a matter, it cometh unto me; and I judge between a man and his neighbour, and I make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For whenever there is a dispute among them, and they come to me, I give judgment upon each, and I teach them the ordinances of God and his law.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jethro Advises Moses
15“Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied. 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.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:16-17
At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. / Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”

Numbers 27:5
So Moses brought their case before the LORD,

2 Chronicles 19:5-7
He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. / Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

Leviticus 24:12
They placed him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them.

Numbers 15:33-34
Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation, / and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.

Deuteronomy 17:8-11
If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, ...

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?”

1 Corinthians 6:1-6
If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ...

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Acts 15:1-2
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15:6
So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.

Acts 15:19-20
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. / Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13
What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? / God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

Romans 14:1
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.

James 4:12
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?


Treasury of Scripture

When they have a matter, they come to me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

a matter

Exodus 23:7
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 24:14
And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.

Deuteronomy 17:8-12
If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; …

one and another.

Exodus 2:13
And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

make

Leviticus 24:15
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.

Numbers 15:35
And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

Numbers 27:6
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

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Decide Decisions Dispute God's Inform Judge Judged Laws Matter Neighbor Neighbour Orders Parties Question Statutes Whenever
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Decide Decisions Dispute God's Inform Judge Judged Laws Matter Neighbor Neighbour Orders Parties Question Statutes Whenever
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














Whenever they have a dispute
This phrase indicates the presence of conflicts or disagreements among the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "dispute" is "רִיב" (riv), which means to contend or quarrel. In the historical context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, disputes were inevitable due to the large number of people and the challenges of communal living. This highlights the need for a system of justice and leadership to maintain order and peace within the community.

it is brought to me
Moses is speaking here, indicating his role as the primary judge and leader of the Israelites. The phrase underscores the centralized leadership structure where Moses was the ultimate authority in resolving disputes. This reflects the historical context of Moses as a divinely appointed leader, tasked with guiding the Israelites according to God's laws. It also foreshadows the need for a more distributed system of governance, which Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, later advises.

and I decide between the parties
Moses' role as a judge is further emphasized. The Hebrew word for "decide" is "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), meaning to judge or govern. This reflects the biblical principle of justice, where leaders are expected to make fair and righteous decisions. Moses' decisions were not based on personal opinion but on divine guidance, illustrating the theocratic nature of Israel's governance at the time.

and inform them of God’s statutes and laws
This phrase highlights the foundation of Moses' judgments: God's statutes and laws. The Hebrew word for "statutes" is "חֻקִּים" (chuqqim), and for "laws" is "תּוֹרוֹת" (torot), both of which refer to the divine instructions given to the Israelites. This underscores the importance of divine law as the ultimate standard for justice and morality. Moses' role was not only to resolve disputes but also to educate the people in God's ways, ensuring that their lives were aligned with His will. This reflects the conservative Christian perspective that upholds the authority of Scripture as the guiding principle for life and governance.

Verse 16. - I judge... and I do make them know the statutes of God. As the israelites were, up to this time, without any code of written laws, Moses took the opportunity furnished by such cases as came before him, to lay down principles of law, and enjoin them upon the people; thus making them to know the statutes of God and his eternal unwritten laws. Such a practice would not have been necessary after the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; and its existence at the time of Jethro's visit helps to fix that visit as occurring before the giving of the law.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Whenever
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they have
יִהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a dispute,
דָּבָר֙ (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

it is brought
בָּ֣א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to me
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

to judge
וְשָׁ֣פַטְתִּ֔י (wə·šā·p̄aṭ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

between
בֵּ֥ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

one man
אִ֖ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and another,
רֵעֵ֑הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

and I make known
וְהוֹדַעְתִּ֛י (wə·hō·w·ḏa‘·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

to them
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

the statutes
חֻקֵּ֥י (ḥuq·qê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

laws
תּוֹרֹתָֽיו׃ (tō·w·rō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of God.”
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Law: Exodus 18:16 When they have a matter they come (Exo. Ex)
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