Exod 18: 21
(KJV) (NASB2020) (NET2full)But you choose ▼ from the people capable men, ▼
▼tn The expression is אַנְשֵׁי־חַיִל (ʾanshe khayil, “capable men”). The attributive genitive is the word used in expressions like “mighty man of valor.” The word describes these men as respected, influential, powerful people, those looked up to by the community as leaders, and those who will have the needs of the community in mind.
God-fearing men, ▼▼tn The description “fearers of God” uses an objective genitive. It describes them as devout, worshipful, obedient servants of God.
men of truth, ▼▼tn The expression “men of truth” (אַנְשֵׁי אֱמֶת, ʾanshe ʾemet) indicates that these men must be seekers of truth, who know that the task of a judge is to give true judgment (U. Cassuto, Exodus, 220). The word “truth” includes the ideas of faithfulness or reliability, as well as factuality itself. It could be understood to mean “truthful men,” men whose word is reliable and true.
those who hate bribes, ▼▼tn Heb “haters of bribes.” Here is another objective genitive, one that refers to unjust gain. To hate unjust gain is to reject and refuse it. Their decisions will not be swayed by greed.
and put them over the people ▼▼tn Heb “over them”; the referent (the people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
as rulers ▼▼sn It is not clear how this structure would work in a judicial setting. The language of “captains of thousands,” etc., is used more for military ranks. There must have been more detailed instruction involved here, for each Israelite would have come under four leaders with this arrangement, and perhaps difficult cases would be sent to the next level. But since the task of these men would also involve instruction and guidance, the breakdown would be very useful. Deut 1:9, 13 suggest that the choice of these people was not simply Moses’ alone.
of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Exod 18: 22
(KJV) (NASB2020) (NET2full)They will judge ▼
▼tn The form is the perfect tense with the vav (ו) consecutive, making it equivalent to the imperfect of instruction in the preceding verse.
the people under normal circumstances, ▼ and every difficult case ▼▼tn Heb “great thing.”
they will bring to you, but every small case ▼▼tn Heb “thing.”
they themselves will judge, so that ▼▼tn The vav here shows the result or the purpose of the instructions given.
you may make it easier for yourself, ▼▼tn The expression וְהָקֵל מֵעָלֶיךָ (vehaqel meʿalekha) means literally “and make it light off yourself.” The word plays against the word for “heavy” used earlier—since it was a heavy or burdensome task, Moses must lighten the load.
and they will bear the burden ▼▼tn Here “the burden” has been supplied.
with you. Exod 18: 23
(KJV) (NASB2020) (NET2full)If you do this thing, and God so commands you, ▼
▼tn The form is a Piel perfect with vav (ו) consecutive; it carries the same nuance as the preceding imperfect in the conditional clause.
then you will be able ▼▼tn The perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive now appears in the apodosis of the conditional sentence—“if you do this…then you will be able.”
to endure, ▼▼tn Heb “to stand.” B. Jacob (Exodus, 501) suggests that there might be a humorous side to this: “you could even do this standing up.”
and all these people ▼▼tn Literally “this people.”
will be able to go ▼▼tn The verb is the simple imperfect, “will go,” but given the sense of the passage a potential nuance seems in order.
home ▼▼tn Heb “his place.”
satisfied.” ▼▼tn Heb “in peace.”
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