Jethro's Counsel
Exodus 18
Jothor, Moses' father-in-law, brings Moses' wife and sons to him in the wilderness and rejoices to hear all that the Lord has done for Israel. Seeing Moses wearied by judging the people alone all day, Jothor advises him to appoint capable men as judges over smaller matters, reserving only the greatest cases for himself, and Moses follows this counsel.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW when Jothor the priest of Madiam, Moses’ father-in-law heard of all that the Lord had done for his people Israel, (for while the Lord was bringing Israel out of Egypt
BrentonAnd Jothor the priest of Madiam, the father-in-law of Moses, heard of all that the Lord did to his people Israel; for the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt.
GreekἬκουσε δὲ Ἰοθὸρ ἱερεὺς Μαδιὰμ ὁ γαμβρὸς Μωυσῆ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησε Κύριος Ἰσραὴλ τῷ ἑαυτοῦ λαῷ· ἐξήγαγε γὰρ Κύριος τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου.
KJVWhen Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;
JPSNow Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel His people, how that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2
ThomsonJothor the father-in-law of Moses had taken home Sepphora, Moses’ wife, after she had gone back,
BrentonAnd Jothor the father-in-law of Moses, took Sepphora the wife of Moses after she had been sent away,
GreekἜλαβε δὲ Ἰοθὸρ ὁ γαμβρὸς Μωυσῆ Σεπφώραν τὴν γυναῖκα Μωυσῆ μετὰ τὴν ἄφεσιν αὐτῆς,
KJVThen Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back,
JPSAnd Jethro, Moses’father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’wife, after he had sent her away,
3
Thomsonwith her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gersam; for he said, I was a stranger in a strange land;
Brentonand her two sons: the name of the one was Gersam, his father saying, I was a sojourner in a strange land;—
Greekκαὶ τοὺς δύο υἱοὺς αὐτῆς· ὄνομα τῷ ἑνὶ αὐτῶν Γηρσάμ, λέγων, πάροικος ἤμην ἐν γῇ ἀλλοτρίᾳ·
KJVAnd her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
JPSand her two sons; of whom the name of the one was Gershom; for he said: ‘I have been a stranger in a strange land’;
4
Thomsonand the name of the other Eliezar; for the God of my fathers, said he, hath been my help, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Pharao)
Brentonand the name of the second Eliezer, saying, For the God of my father is my helper, and he has rescued me out of the hand of Pharao.
Greekκαὶ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ δευτέρου Ἐλίεζερ, λέγων, ὁ γὰρ Θεὸς τοῦ πατρός μου βοηθός μου, καὶ ἐξείλατό με ἐκ χειρὸς Φαραώ.
KJVAnd the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
JPSand the name of the other was Eliezer: ‘for the God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.’
5
ThomsonJothor the father-in-law of Moses came out to him with his sons and his wife to the wilderness where he was encamped by the mount of God.
BrentonAnd Jothor the father-in-law of Moses, and his sons and his wife, went forth to Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped on the mount of God.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ἰοθὸρ ὁ γαμβρὸς Μωυσῆ καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ καὶ ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς Μωυσῆν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, οὗ παρενέβαλεν ἐπʼ ὄρους τοῦ Θεοῦ.
KJVAnd Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
JPSAnd Jethro, Moses’father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the mount of God;
6
ThomsonAnd when they told Moses saying, Behold Jothor thy father-in-law is coming to thee with thy wife and thy two sons with him,
BrentonAnd it was told Moses, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law Jothor is coming to thee, and thy wife and two sons with him.
GreekἈνηγγέλη δὲ Μωυσῇ, λέγοντες, ἰδοὺ ὁ γαμβρός σου Ἰοθὸρ παραγίνεται πρὸς σέ, καὶ ἡ γυνὴ καὶ οἱ δύο υἱοί σου μετʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
JPSand he said unto Moses: ‘I thy father-in-law Jethro am coming unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.’
7
ThomsonMoses went out to meet his father-in-law and made obeisance to him and kissed him. And when they had embraced each other he conducted them to this tent.
BrentonAnd Moses went forth to meet his father-in-law, and did him reverence, and kissed him, and they embraced each other, and he brought them into the tent.
GreekἘξῆλθε δὲ Μωυσῆς εἰς συνάντησιν τῷ γαμβρῷ, καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐφίλησεν αυτὸν, καὶ ἠσπάσαντο ἀλλήλους, καὶ εἰσήγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν σκηνήν.
KJVAnd Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
JPSAnd Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed down and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
8
ThomsonAnd Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharao and to all the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the difficulties which they had encountered on the way, and how the Lord had rescued them out of the hand of Pharao and out of the hand of the Egyptians.
BrentonAnd Moses related to his father-in-law all things that the Lord did to Pharao and all the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the labour that had befallen them in the way, and that the Lord had rescued them out of the hand of Pharao, and out of the hand of the Egyptians.
GreekΚαὶ διηγήσατο Μωυσῆς τῷ γαμβρῷ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησε Κύριος τῷ Φαραῷ καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις ἕνεκεν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ πάντα τὸν μόχθον τὸν γενόμενον αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὅτι ἐξείλατο αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐκ χειρὸς Φαραὼ, καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς τῶν Αἰγυπτίων.
KJVAnd Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.
JPSAnd Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.
9
ThomsonWhereupon Jothor was enrapped in wonder at all the good things which the Lord had done for them in delivering them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharao;
BrentonAnd Jothor was amazed at all the good things which the Lord did to them, forasmuch as he rescued them out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharao.
GreekἘξέστη δὲ Ἰοθὸρ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς οἷς ἐποίησεν αὐτοῖς Κύριος, ὅτι ἐξείλατο αὐτοὺς ἐκ χειρὸς Αἰγυπτίων καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς Φαραώ.
KJVAnd Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
JPSAnd Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in that He had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10
Thomsonand Jothor said, Blessed be the Lord. Because He hath delivered these out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharao,
BrentonAnd Jothor said, Blessed be the Lord, because he has rescued them out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharao.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἰοθὸρ, εὐλογητὸς Κύριος, ὅτι ἐξείλατο αὐτοὺς ἐκ χειρὸς Αἰγυπτίων καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς Φαραώ.
KJVAnd Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
JPSAnd Jethro said: ‘Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11
ThomsonI know now that the Lord is great above all the gods, for this reason because they were set against these.
BrentonNow know I that the Lord is great above all gods, because of this, wherein they attacked them.
GreekΝῦν ἔγνων ὅτι μέγας Κύριος παρὰ πάντας τοὺς θεούς ἕνεκεν τούτου, ὅτι ἐπέθεντο αὐτοῖς.
KJVNow I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
JPSNow I know that the LORD is greater than all gods; yea, for that they dealt proudly against them.’
12
ThomsonThen Jothor the father-in-law of Moses took whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for God; and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread before God with Moses’ father-in-law.
BrentonAnd Jothor the father-in-law of Moses took whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for God, for Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread with the father-in-law of Moses before God.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰοθὸρ ὁ γαμβρὸς Μωυσῆ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ θυσίας τῷ Θεῷ· παρεγένετο δὲ Ἀαρὼν καὶ πάντες οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Ἰσραὴλ συμφαγεῖν ἄρτον μετὰ τοῦ γαμβροῦ Μωυσῆ, ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
KJVAnd Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God.
JPSAnd Jethro, Moses’father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God; and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’father-in-law before God.
13
ThomsonAnd on the morrow Moses sat to administer justice to the people, and all the people attended on Moses from early in the morning till late in the evening.
BrentonAnd it came to pass after the morrow that Moses sat to judge the people, and all the people stood by Moses from morning till evening.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τὴν ἐπαύριον συνεκάθισε Μωυσῆς κρίνειν τὸν λαόν· παρειστήκει δὲ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς Μωυσῇ ἀπὸ πρωΐθεν ἕως δείλης.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood about Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14
ThomsonAnd when Jothor saw all that he did for the people, he said, What is this that thou dost for the people? Why hast thou sitten alone and all the people attended thee from morning till night?
BrentonAnd Jothor having seen all that Moses did to the people, says, What is this that thou doest to the people? wherefore sittest thou alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning till evening?
GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν Ἰοθὸρ πάντα ὅσα ποιεῖ τῷ λαῷ, λέγει, τί τοῦτο ὃ σὺ ποιεῖς τῷ λαῷ; διατί σὺ κάθησαι μόνος, πᾶς δὲ ὁ λαὸς παρέστηκέ σοι ἀπὸ πρωΐθεν ἕως δείλης;
KJVAnd when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
JPSAnd when Moses’father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said: ‘What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand about thee from morning unto even?’
15
ThomsonAnd Moses said to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to have a determination from God.
BrentonAnd Moses says to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to seek judgment from God.
GreekΚαὶ λέγει Μωυσῆς τῷ γαμβρῶ, Ὅτι παραγίνεται πρός με ὁ λαὸς ἐκζητῆσαι κρίσιν παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ.
KJVAnd Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
JPSAnd Moses said unto his father-in-law: ‘Because the people come unto me to inquire of God;
16
ThomsonFor when a controversy happeneth among them and they come to me, I administer justice to everyone, and teach them the statutes of God and his law.
BrentonFor 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.
GreekὍταν γὰρ γένηται αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογία, καὶ ἔλθωσι πρός με, διακρίνω ἕκαστον, καὶ συμβιβάζω αὐτοὺς τὰ προστάγματα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τὸν νόμον αὐτοῦ.
KJV—
JPS—
17
ThomsonThereupon Moses’ father-in-law said to him, Thou dost not transact this business right.
BrentonAnd the father-in-law of Moses said to him, Thou dost not this thing rightly,
GreekΕἶπε δὲ ὁ γαμβρὸς Μωυσῆ πρὸς αὐτὸν, οὐκ ὀρθῶς σὺ ποιεῖς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο.
KJVAnd Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
JPSAnd Moses’father-in-law said unto him: ‘The thing that thou doest is not good.
18
ThomsonBoth thou and this people with thee must needs be worn down by this intolerable service. This business is too fatiguing for thee. Thou canst not perform it thyself alone.
Brentonthou wilt wear away with intolerable weariness, both thou and all this people which is with thee: this thing is hard, thou wilt not be able to endure it thyself alone.
GreekΦθορᾷ καταφθαρήσῃ ἀνυπομονήτῳ καὶ σὺ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς οὗτος, ὅς ἐστι μετὰ σοῦ· βαρύ σοι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο· οὐ δυνήσῃ ποιεῖν σὺ μόνος.
KJVThou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
JPSThou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee; for the thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
19
ThomsonNow therefore hearken to me and I will advise thee; and God be with thee. Be thou to the people as the Oracle of God; and lay their cases before God;
BrentonNow then hearken to me, and I will advise thee, and God shall be with thee: be thou to the people in the things pertaining to God, and thou shalt bring their matters to God.
GreekΝῦν οὖν ἄκουσόν μου, καὶ συμβουλεύσω σοι, καὶ ἔσται ὁ Θεὸς μετὰ σοῦ· γίνου σὺ τῷ λαῷ τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ἀνοίσεις τοὺς λόγους αὐτῶν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.
KJVHearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
JPSHearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people before God, and bring thou the causes unto God.
20
Thomsonand testify to them the statutes of God and his law; and point out to them the ways in which they shall walk, and the works which they shall do:
BrentonAnd thou shalt testify to them the ordinances of God and his law, and thou shalt shew to them the ways in which they shall walk, and the works which they shall do.
GreekΚαὶ διαμαρτύρῇ αὐτοῖς τὰ προστάγματα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τὸν νόμον αὐτοῦ, καὶ σημανεῖς αὐτοῖς τὰς ὁδοὺς ἐν αἷς πορεύσονται ἐν αὐταῖς, καὶ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ποιήσουσι.
KJVAnd thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
JPS—
21
Thomsonbut look out for thyself from among all the people, for able, pious men, men of integrity who hate pride; and set these over them as rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, and rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens;
BrentonAnd do thou look out for thyself out of all the people able men, fearing God, righteous men, hating pride, and thou shalt set over the people captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties, and captains of tens.
GreekΚαὶ σὺ σεαυτῷ σκέψαι ἀπὸ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ ἄνδρας δυνατοὺς, θεοσεβεῖς, ἄνδρας δικαίους, μισοῦντας ὑπερηφανίαν, καὶ καταστήσεις ἐπʼ αὐτῶν χιλιάρχους καὶ ἑκατοντάρχους καὶ πεντηκοντάρχους καὶ δεκαδάρχους.
KJVMoreover 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:
JPSMoreover 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.
22
Thomsonand let them administer justice to the people on all occasions: and the matter which is too high for them, they shall lay before thee; but causes easily determined they themselves shall decide. Thus they will remove a burden from thee and help thee.
BrentonAnd they shall judge the people at all times, and the too burdensome matter they shall bring to thee, but they shall judge the smaller cases; so they shall relieve thee and help thee.
GreekΚαὶ κρινοῦσι τὸν λαὸν πᾶσαν ὥραν· τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα τὸ ὑπέρογκον ἀνοίσουσιν ἐπὶ σὲ· τὰ δὲ βραχέα τῶν κριμάτων κρινοῦσιν αὐτοί· καὶ κουφιοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ συναντιλήψονταί σοι.
KJVAnd 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: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
JPSAnd 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 they make it easier for thee and bear the burden with thee.
23
ThomsonIf thou do this God will strengthen thee so that thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall go to their place with peace.
BrentonIf thou wilt do this thing, God shall strengthen thee, and thou shalt be able to attend, and all this people shall come with peace into their own place.
GreekἘὰν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο ποιήσῃς, κατισχύσει σε ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ δυνήσῃ παραστῆναι, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς οὗτος εἰς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ τόπον μετʼ εἰρήνης ἥξει.
KJVIf thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
JPSIf 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.’
24
ThomsonSo Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he said.
BrentonAnd Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did whatsoever he said to him.
GreekἬκουσε δὲ Μωυσῆς τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ γαμβροῦ, καὶ ἐποίησεν ὅσα εἶπεν αὐτῷ.
KJVSo Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
JPSSo Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
25
ThomsonAnd when Moses had chosen able men from among all Israel and made them rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, and rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens,
BrentonAnd Moses chose out able men out of all Israel, and he made them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties and captains of tens over the people.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέλεξε Μωυσῆς ἄνδρας δυνατοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς ἐπʼ αὐτῶν χιλιάρχους καὶ ἑκατοντάρχους καὶ πεντηκοντάρχους καὶ δεκαδάρχους.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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.
26
Thomsonwith orders to administer justice to the people on all occasions, and that they should lay before him the matter which was too high for them; but the causes easily determined they themselves should decide;
BrentonAnd they judged the people at all times; and every too burdensome matter they brought to Moses, but every light matter they judged themselves.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκρίνοσαν τὸν λαὸν πᾶσαν ὥραν· πᾶν δὲ ῥῆμα ὑπέρογκον ἀνεφέροσαν ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν· πᾶν δὲ ῥῆμα ἐλαφρὸν ἐκρίνοσαν αὐτοί.
KJVAnd they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
JPSAnd they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27
Thomsonthen Moses gave his father-in-law leave to depart and he returned to his own land.
BrentonAnd Moses dismissed his father-in-law, and he returned to his own land.
GreekἘξαπέστειλε δὲ Μωυσῆς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ γαμβρὸν, καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
JPSAnd Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.