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22 They will judge[a] the people under normal circumstances,[b] and every difficult case[c] they will bring to you, but every small case[d] they themselves will judge, so that[e] you may make it easier for yourself,[f] and they will bear the burden[g] with you.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 18:22 tn The form is the perfect tense with the vav (ו) consecutive, making it equivalent to the imperfect of instruction in the preceding verse.
  2. Exodus 18:22 tn Heb “in every time,” meaning “in all normal cases” or “under normal circumstances.” The same phrase occurs in v. 26.
  3. Exodus 18:22 tn Heb “great thing.”
  4. Exodus 18:22 tn Heb “thing.”
  5. Exodus 18:22 tn The vav here shows the result or the purpose of the instructions given.
  6. Exodus 18:22 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.
  7. Exodus 18:22 tn Here “the burden” has been supplied.