When is the conjunction waw in the Hebrew. Moses’ father-in-law may be changed to “his father-in-law” (New International Version), or simply “Jethro” for a more natural flow. Saw all that he was doing means that Jethro was observing “everything that Moses had to do” (Good News Translation). For the people refers to the Israelites in general. He said introduces the question that Jethro asked.

What is this that you are doing for the people, literally “What is this davar [deed, thing] you are doing,” is a rhetorical question, for Jethro knew what Moses was doing. New Jerusalem Bible changes it to “Why do you do this for the people?” Why do you sit alone does not mean “Why are you sitting alone” but “Why are you doing this all alone” (Good News Translation). Translator’s Old Testament has “Why are you the only one who sits as judge,” and Contemporary English Version has “Why are you the only judge?”

And all the people stand about you means “while all the people stand around you” (New Revised Standard Version). The word for stand, however, means to station oneself, as in 17.9. It is a different word from the one used in verse 13. Durham has “standing in line before you.” From morning till evening repeats the words of verse 13. Contemporary English Version has “Why do you let these people crowd around you from morning till evening?”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .