What Does Exodus 18:18 Mean?
Two renderings of the same sentence, the verses it belongs to, and what the passage is doing — so you can decide what it means rather than take someone's word for it.
"Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone." Exodus 18:18, King James Version
The same verse in modern English
"Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone." Exodus 18:18, Berean Standard Bible
What it sits inside
A verse quoted on its own is the commonest way one gets misread. Here it is with what comes immediately before and after, in the King James Version.
Exodus 18:16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
Exodus 18:17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
Exodus 18:18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
Exodus 18:19 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:
Exodus 18:20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
A conversation built on it
Doing everything yourself can feel like the faithful option. Jethro watched Moses judge a nation single-handed and called it what it was — not devotion, a slow wearing away. Moses handed over nearly all of it and remained the leader.
Questions people ask
What does Exodus 18:18 mean?
In modern English (Berean Standard Bible) it reads: “Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.” The King James rendering most people know is: “Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.”
What is the context of Exodus 18:18?
The verses immediately around it read: (Exodus 18:16) When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. (Exodus 18:17) And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. (Exodus 18:18) Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. (Exodus 18:19) 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: (Exodus 18:20) And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
How is Exodus 18:18 used in a conversation about this?
Doing everything yourself can feel like the faithful option. Jethro watched Moses judge a nation single-handed and called it what it was — not devotion, a slow wearing away. Moses handed over nearly all of it and remained the leader.
Reading it is one thing. Saying what it stirs up is another.
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