complete verse (Exodus 18:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 18:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “Let (them) counsel/guide the people all days. And/But when there are things/words that are hard let them bring to you, but they must first finish (the) simple ones. There/Then, they will ease your work.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Let them serve as judges for the people at all times but have them bring every difficult problem to you; the simple problem they can solve themselves. This is how your work will be easier because they share it with you.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They are-to-serve as judges at all times. They will-be-the-one-to-settle the simple cases, but the hard/difficult cases they could-bring to you (sing.). In this way, your (sing.) work will-be-lighter for they can-help you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “They will straighten disputes for people all the time, but if some dispute is very big for them, they they’ll let it go to you (sing.). They alone will straighten small disputes. [When] it’s like that then they will be helping you with this work, and so your (sing.) work will be easy/lightweight.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “Those people, be they that will judge people by day by day. They will judge them with that which be small, and that which be hard, they will tell for you it. If you will do it thus, it will make work your will be lightened, because you will do it together.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Allow them to serve permanently to settle disputes for the people. The difficult matters the people can bring to you; but the matters that are not difficult, they can decide themselves. That will make the work easier for you, as they help you do that work.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 18:22

And let them judge the people, literally “And they will judge the people,” is not necessarily a command, so Translator’s Old Testament has “They will settle the disputes,” and Revised English Bible has “They can act as judges for the people.” At all times means: “on a permanent basis” (Good News Translation) or “on a continuing basis” (Durham).

Every great matter is literally “every great davar,” which means “every serious dispute” (Translator’s Old Testament) or “every important case” (New Revised Standard Version). (See the comment on davar at verse 16.) They shall bring to you refers to the “able men” of verse 21. But any small matter is “every small [or trivial] davar.” They shall decide themselves is literally “they will judge themselves.”

So it will be easier for you, literally “and you cause to be light from upon you,” is really a command (in the imperative mood), so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “Make it easier for yourself.” But since this is fatherly advice, most translations soften the command as in Good News Translation, “that will make it easier for you.” And they will bear the burden with you is literally “and they will lift with you.” Contemporary English Version has a good model, “Having them to share the load will make your work easier.” A similar model is “If you let them help you, you won’t have to work so hard.”

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 .