Exodus 18:26

18:26 They judged the people under normal circumstances; the difficult cases they would bring ¹  to Moses, but every small case they would judge themselves.

Exodus 18:22

18:22 They will judge ²  the people under normal circumstances, ³  and every difficult case ⁴  they will bring to you, but every small case ⁵  they themselves will judge, so that ⁶  you may make it easier for yourself, ⁷  and they will bear the burden ⁸  with you.

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¹ tn This verb and the verb in the next clause are imperfect tenses. In the past tense narrative of the verse they must be customary, describing continuous action in past time.

² tn The form is the perfect tense with the vav (ו) consecutive, making it equivalent to the imperfect of instruction in the preceding verse.

³ tn Heb “in every time,” meaning “in all normal cases” or “under normal circumstances.” The same phrase occurs in v. 26.

⁴ tn Heb “great thing.”

⁵ tn Heb “thing.”

⁶ tn The vav here shows the result or the purpose of the instructions given.

⁷ tn The expression וְהָקֵל מֵעָלֶיךָ (vÿhaqel me’aleykha) 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.

⁸ tn Here “the burden” has been supplied.