Exodus 18:17 web — Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good.

World English Bible

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

— Exodus 18:17, World English Bible

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Exodus 18:17 in Other Translations

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Exodus 18 — Context

14

When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, "What is this thing that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?"

15

Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God.

16

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."

17

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

18

You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you; for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone.

19

Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.

20

You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Exodus 18:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Exodus 18:17 say?
Exodus 18:17 in the World English Bible reads: “Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good.”
Where is Exodus 18:17 in the Bible?
Exodus 18:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Exodus, chapter 18, verse 17.
Who wrote Exodus?
Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Exodus about?
Exodus tells of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Through the plagues, the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the covenant at Sinai, God reveals himself as Redeemer and comes to dwell among his people in the tabernacle.
What are the major themes of Exodus?
Exodus explores themes including Deliverance, Covenant, Law, God's Presence, Worship, Redemption. These themes shape the meaning and context of Exodus 18:17.
What translation should I read Exodus 18:17 in?
Exodus 18:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Exodus 18:17?
Exodus 18:17 reads (WEB): “Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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