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.

[18:26]  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.

[18:22]  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.

[18:22]  ³ tn Heb “in every time,” meaning “in all normal cases” or “under normal circumstances.” The same phrase occurs in v. 26.

[18:22]  ⁴ tn Heb “great thing.”

[18:22]  ⁵ tn Heb “thing.”

[18:22]  ⁶ tn The vav here shows the result or the purpose of the instructions given.

[18:22]  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.

[18:22]  ⁸ tn Here “the burden” has been supplied.