Exodus 18:22

18:22 They will judge ¹  the people under normal circumstances, ²  and every difficult case ³  they will bring to you, but every small case ⁴  they themselves will judge, so that ⁵  you may make it easier for yourself, ⁶  and they will bear the burden ⁷  with you.

Acts 6:3-4

6:3 But carefully select from among you, brothers, ⁸  seven ⁹  men who are well-attested, ¹⁰  full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge ¹¹  of this necessary task. ¹²  6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

¹ 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 tn Heb “in every time,” meaning “in all normal cases” or “under normal circumstances.” The same phrase occurs in v. 26.

³ tn Heb “great thing.”

⁴ tn Heb “thing.”

⁵ tn The vav here shows the result or the purpose of the instructions given.

⁶ 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.

⁷ tn Here “the burden” has been supplied.

⁸ tn It is not clear from a historical standpoint (but it is unlikely) that women would have been involved in the selection process too. For this reason the translation “brothers” has been retained, rather than “brothers and sisters” (used in contexts where both male and female believers are clearly addressed).

⁹ sn Seven. Jewish town councils often had seven members (Josephus, Ant. 4.18.14 [4.214]).

¹⁰ tn Or “are of good reputation” (BDAG 618 s.v. μαρτυρέω 2.b).

¹¹ tn The translation “put in charge” is given by BDAG 492 s.v. καθίστημι 2.

¹² tn Grk “of this need”; translated “necessary work” or “needed task” by L&N 42.22.