Moses’ answer continues. When they have a dispute is literally “if [or, when] there is to them a davar [word, deed, or thing].” Most translations use the word “dispute” (see Good News Translation), but New American Bible has “a disagreement,” New Jerusalem Bible has “a problem,” and Contemporary English Version has “their complaints.” They come to me, literally “he [or, it] comes to me,” may refer either to “the people” in verse 15, which in Hebrew is singular in form, or to the dispute. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “it comes before me,” meaning the dispute. New International Version has “it is brought to me,” but in some languages this will have to be in the active voice; for example, “the people bring their complaints [or, disputes] to me.”

In many languages it will be difficult to talk about a “dispute” coming before someone. In such cases it will be better to follow Good News Translation‘s model, “When two people have a dispute, they come to me.” This is based on a man and his neighbor later in the verse. And I decide means to settle a case or act as a judge, or even “make a decision.” Between a man and his neighbor, literally “between a man and between his companion,” may be rendered as “between one party and the other” (Revised English Bible). If the idea of a dispute is followed, then Good News Translation seems to be clear: “I decide which of them is right.”

And I make them know is literally “I cause to be known”; them has been added. New International Version has “[I] inform them,” and Good News Translation has “I tell them.” The statutes of God and his decisions is literally “the statutes [chuqqah] of ʾelohim and his decisions [torah].” These terms are discussed in the introduction to 20.22-26. They are quite close in meaning and have been translated in various ways: “the statutes and instructions of God” (New Revised Standard Version), “the laws and teachings of God” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “God’s decisions and regulations” (New American Bible), and “God’s decrees and laws” (New International Version).

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 .