Exodus 18:24
Exodus 18:24 in Multiple Translations
Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
So Moses took note of the words of his father-in-law, and did as he had said.
Moses listened to what his father-in-law said and followed all his advice.
So Moses obeyed the voyce of his father in law, and did all that he had sayd:
And Moses hearkeneth to the voice of his father-in-law, and doth all that he said,
So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
And when Moses heard this, he did all things that he had suggested unto him.
Moses/I accepted what his/my father-in-law Jethro suggested.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 18:24
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 18:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשְׁמַ֥ע
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
לְ/ק֣וֹל
חֹתְנ֑/וֹ
וַ/יַּ֕עַשׂ
כֹּ֖ל
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
אָמָֽר
וַ/יִּשְׁמַ֥ע
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
לְ/ק֣וֹל
qôwl
H6963
voice
Prep | N-ms
חֹתְנ֑/וֹ
châthan
H2859
relative
V-Qal | Suff
וַ/יַּ֕עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כֹּ֖ל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
אָמָֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 18:24
וַ/יִּשְׁמַ֥ע
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
לְ/ק֣וֹל
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
Prep | N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
חֹתְנ֑/וֹ
châthan
H2859
"relative"
V-Qal | Suff
To be related by marriage means to become connected through wedding vows. In the Bible, this word describes the relationship between a husband and his wife's family, including his father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Definition: a son-in-law, a daughter's husband, wife's father, wife's mother, father-in-law, mother-in- law
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: join in affinity, father in law, make marriages, mother in law, son in law. See also: Genesis 34:9; Deuteronomy 7:3; Ezra 9:14.
וַ/יַּ֕עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
כֹּ֖ל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
אָמָֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Exodus 18:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 18:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 18:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 18:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 18:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 18:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 18:24
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 18:24
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 18:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 18:24
- Sermons on Exodus 18:24
Context — Jethro Advises Moses
22Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.
23If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.”
24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
25So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 10:2 | Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel. |
| 2 | Exodus 18:19 | Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. |
| 3 | Exodus 18:2–5 | After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her, along with her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” The other son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, along with Moses’ wife and sons, came to him in the desert, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. |
| 4 | Proverbs 1:5 | let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel |
| 5 | Ezra 10:5 | So Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said. And they took the oath. |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 12:21 | The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.” |
Exodus 18:24 Summary
[Moses listened to his father-in-law Jethro and did everything he said, which shows us the importance of being humble and open to wise counsel from others. This is similar to what the Bible says in Proverbs 11:14, where it talks about the value of seeking advice from others. By listening to Jethro, Moses was able to find a solution to the problem of judging the people, and it's a great example for us to follow in our own lives. We can apply this principle by seeking guidance from others and being willing to learn from them, just like Moses did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Moses listen to his father-in-law, Jethro, in Exodus 18:24?
Moses listened to Jethro because he recognized the wisdom and guidance God was providing through him, as seen in Exodus 18:17-23, and he was humble enough to receive counsel from others, similar to the wisdom of Proverbs 11:14.
What does it mean for Moses to 'do everything' Jethro said in Exodus 18:24?
When Moses did everything Jethro said, it means he fully implemented the plan for delegating leadership and judging the people, as outlined in Exodus 18:22, trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, as expressed in Exodus 18:23 and Deuteronomy 1:9-18.
How does Exodus 18:24 relate to the concept of submission to authority in the Bible?
Exodus 18:24 demonstrates Moses' willingness to submit to wise counsel, which is a biblical principle seen in Ephesians 5:21 and Hebrews 13:17, emphasizing the importance of humility and obedience in our relationships with others and with God.
What can we learn from Moses' example in Exodus 18:24 about seeking advice and guidance?
Moses' example teaches us to seek wise counsel from others, as in Proverbs 15:22, and to be open to correction and guidance, trusting that God often speaks through the people He places in our lives, as seen in Exodus 4:14-16 and Acts 13:1-3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to seek wise counsel and be open to correction, just like Moses in Exodus 18:24?
- How can I cultivate humility and a willingness to listen to others, even if they are not in a position of authority over me?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of delegation and sharing responsibilities with others, as seen in Exodus 18:22, to my own life and relationships?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, as Moses did in Exodus 18:23, and how can I express that trust in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 18:24
So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law,.... Considered what he said, weighed it well in his mind, and judged it good advice, and determined to follow it: and did all that he had said;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 18:24
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 18:24
This is one evidence of that meekness for which Moses is justly magnified, that he disdained not to receive advice from one so much his inferior in wisdom, and learning, and knowledge of the things of God. And God would have this wise counsel to come from Jethro, not from Moses himself, to show how variously he distributes his gifts, and to teach all men not to think too highly of themselves, nor to despise the counsels even of their inferiors. Moses did all that he had said, not immediately, but after he had received God’ s approbation, , and the people’ s consent, .
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 18:24
Exodus 18:24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.Ver. 24. So Moses hearkened.] Of a meek man it is said that a child shall lead him: how much more so grave a counsellor as Jethro! Augustus, ταιςπαρρησιαιςτωνφιλωνυπερεχαιρε, was overjoyed with the plain dealings of his friends and counsellors; as of Mecaenas. Dio, in Augusto.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 18:24
(24, 25) Moses hearkened.—The appointment of judges, according to Jethro’s advice, was not made until after the giving of the Law and the setting up of the Tabernacle. (See Deuteronomy 1:9-15.) In one particular Moses departed from the counsel given to him. Instead of directly choosing the “able men” himself, he left the selection to the people (Deuteronomy 1:13). And contented himself with investing the men chosen with their authority. Comp. the course taken by the apostolic college with respect to the first deacons (Acts 6:3-6).
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 18:24
24–26. Moses listened to Jethro’s counsel, and appointed the assistant judges accordingly.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 18:24
Hearkened - Nothing can be more characteristic of Moses, who combines on all occasions distrust of himself and singular openness to impressions, with the wisdom and sound judgment which chooses the best course when pointed out.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 18:24
24. Moses hearkened — He was meek, deferential, and prompt to profit by the counsel of the venerable priest.
Sermons on Exodus 18:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Twentieth Century Jethro by H. P. Barker | H. P. Barker preaches about the cautionary tale of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who despite his good qualities and wise counsel, failed to fully identify with the people of God an |
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1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 4 by Richard Wurmbrand | This sermon delves into the themes of affliction, abortion, and the importance of listening to God, Jesus, and nature. It reflects on the suffering experienced in communist countri |
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Francis Schaeffer on Education by Francis Schaeffer | Francis Schaeffer emphasizes the importance of protecting Christian schools from having their curriculum controlled by those who have negatively influenced public schools. He stres |
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Teach Me to Listen by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of listening to God amidst the chaos of life, drawing inspiration from the biblical account of Samuel who responded to God's call with a willin |
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Learning From the "Masters" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of learning from literary 'masters' to enhance our speaking and writing skills. He explains that effective communication involves elements like |
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To Ministers of the Gospel of All Denominations. [#6] by Charles Finney | Charles Finney addresses ministers of the Gospel, urging them to overcome the fear of changing their opinions on religious matters. He highlights the unreasonable public sentiment |
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Helping With the Problems by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the myriad of problems faced by earnest young people as they navigate the complexities of life, highlighting their need for guidance and understanding. He st |