The Meaning of Exodus 18:19 Explained

Exodus 18:19

KJV: Hearken 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:

YLT: 'Now, hearken to my voice, I counsel thee, and God is with thee: be thou for the people over-against God, and thou hast brought in the things unto God;

Darby: Hearken now to my voice: I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou for the people with God, and bring the matters before God;

ASV: Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, and bring thou the causes unto God:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Hearken  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: 

What does Exodus 18:19 Mean?

Study Notes

Hearken now unto my voice
(Cf) Numbers 11:14-17 . Jehovah entirely ignored this worldly-wise organization, substituting His own order.

Context Summary

Exodus 18:13-27 - Moses Appoints Rulers To Judge Israel
Jethro's frank acknowledgment of God's supremacy and lovingkindness was extremely beautiful. Oh, for more wisdom to discern, and humble reverence to acknowledge the divine goodness wherever we encounter it. His advice also was most sagacious. It is far better to set a thousand people to work than attempt to do the work of a thousand. The greatest and most useful men are those who know how to devolve on others work for which these are quite competent, while they concentrate themselves on matters of the highest moment, which the others cannot undertake. Thus character is created. It is the highest service of all to bring men's requests and causes to God, and then to show them the way in which they should walk and the work they should do. In the best sense this is what Jesus does for us all. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Exodus 18:19 mean?

Now Listen to my voice I will give you counsel and will be God with you stand You for the people before God so that may bring - the difficulties to God
עַתָּ֞ה שְׁמַ֤ע בְּקֹלִי֙ : אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔ וִיהִ֥י אֱלֹהִ֖ים עִמָּ֑ךְ הֱיֵ֧ה אַתָּ֣ה לָעָ֗ם מ֚וּל הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְהֵבֵאתָ֥ אֶת־ הַדְּבָרִ֖ים אֶל־ הָאֱלֹהִֽים

עַתָּ֞ה  Now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
שְׁמַ֤ע  Listen 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
בְּקֹלִי֙  to  my  voice 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: קֹול 
Sense: voice, sound, noise.
: אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔  I  will  give  you  counsel 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular, second person masculine singular
Root: יׄועֵץ 
Sense: to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan.
וִיהִ֥י  and  will  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
אֱלֹהִ֖ים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
עִמָּ֑ךְ  with  you 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
Root: עִם  
Sense: with.
הֱיֵ֧ה  stand 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
לָעָ֗ם  for  the  people 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
מ֚וּל  before 
Parse: Preposition
Root: לְמֹואל 
Sense: front.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים  God 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
וְהֵבֵאתָ֥  so  that  may  bring 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים  the  difficulties 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
הָאֱלֹהִֽים  God 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).