Exodus 18:1
When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt;
Exodus 18:1 in other translations
| BSB | Now Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. |
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| WEB | Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. |
| ASV | Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt. |
| YLT | And Jethro priest of Midian, father-in-law of Moses, heareth all that God hath done for Moses, and for Israel his people, that Jehovah hath brought out Israel from Egypt, |
| DARBY | And Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done to Moses, and to Israel his people; that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt. |
| BBE | Now news came to Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, of all God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, and how the Lord had taken Israel out of Egypt. |
| Webster | When Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses's father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt: |
What does Exodus 18:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 18:1-5
Ex 18:1-27. Visit of Jethro.
1-5. Jethro ... came ... unto Moses, &c.--It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Israelites were "encamped at the mount of God." And yet they did not reach it till the third month after their departure from Egypt (Ex 19:1, 2; compare De 1:6, 9-15).Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
Jethro, called the father-in-law of Moses, hearing of the deliverance which God had granted to Israel, Exo 18:1, took Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and brought them to Moses, when the Israelites were encamped near Horeb, Exo 18:2-5. He sends to Moses, announcing his arrival, Exo 18:6. Moses goes out to meet him, Exo 18:7, and gives him a history of God's dealings with the Israelites, Exo 18:8. Jethro greatly rejoices, and makes striking observations on the power and goodness of God, Exo 18:9-11. He offers burnt-offerings and sacrifices to Jehovah, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel feast with him, Exo 18:12. The next day Jethro, observing how much Moses was fatigued by being obliged to sit as judge and hear causes from morning to evening, Exo 18:13, inquires why he did so, Exo 18:14. Moses answers, and shows that he is obliged to determine causes between man and man, and to teach them the statutes and laws of God, Exo 18:15, Exo 18:16. Jethro finds fault, and counsels him to appoint men who fear God, love truth, and hate covetousness, to be judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to judge and determine in all smaller matters, and refer only the greater and most important to himself, Exo 18:17-22; and shows that this plan will be advantageous both to himself and to the people, Exo 18:23. Moses hearkens to the counsel of Jethro, and appoints proper officers over the people, who enter upon their functions, determine all minor causes, and refer only the most difficult to Moses, Exo 18:24-26. Moses dismisses Jethro, who returns to his own country, Exo 18:27. Verse 1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, etc. - Concerning this person and his several names, See Clarke's note on Exo 2:15, See Clarke's note on Exo 2:16, See Clarke's note on Exo 2:18, See Clarke's note on Exo 3:1, See Clarke's note on Exo 4:20, See Clarke's note on Exo 4:24. Jethro was probably the son of Reuel, the father-in-law of Moses, and consequently the brother-in-law of Moses; for the word חתן chothen, which we translate father-in-law, in this chapter means simply a relative by marriage. See Clarke's note on Exo 3:1.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Exodus 18:1-6
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Exodus 18:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Exodus 18:1
- Psalms 77:14-15
Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
- Exodus 2:16
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
- Exodus 3:1
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
- Psalms 106:8-11
Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.
- Psalms 78:50-53
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham: But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
- Joshua 9:9
And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
- Acts 14:27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
- Psalms 106:2
Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?
- Acts 7:35-36
This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
- Psalms 44:1
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
- Psalms 78:4
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
- Zechariah 8:23
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7 Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord.
9 Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice.
13 He gives good counsel, which is accepted.
27 Jethro departs.
Jethro.
2:16,21; 3:1; 4:18; Nu 10:29; Jud 4:11
heard.
Ps 34:2; 44:1; 77:14,15; 78:4; 105:5,43; 106:2,8; Jer 33:9; Zec 8:23
Ga 1:23,24
God.
Ac 7:35,36; 14:27; 15:12; 21:19,20; Ro 15:18
done.
7:1-15:27; Jos 2:10; 9:9; Ne 9:10,11; Ps 77:14,15; 78:50-53
Ps 105:36-41; 106:8-11; 136:10-16; Isa 63:11-13
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Exodus 18:1
When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt;
- Exodus 18:2
Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back,
Exodus 18:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y OYÓ Jethro, sacerdote de Madián, suegro de Moisés, todas las cosas que Dios había hecho con Moisés, y con Israel su pueblo, y cómo Jehová había sacado á Israel de Egipto: |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | *Et Jéthro, sacrificateur de Madian, beau-père de Moïse, apprit tout ce que Dieu avait fait à Moïse et à Israël, son peuple, – que l’ Éternel avait fait sortir Israël d’Égypte; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Und Jethro, der Priester von Midian, der Schwiegervater Moses, hörte alles, was Gott an Mose und an Israel, seinem Volke, getan, daß Jehova Israel aus Ägypten herausgeführt hatte. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Cumque audisset Jethro, sacerdos Madian, cognatus Moysi, omnia quæ fecerat Deus Moysi, et Israëli populo suo, et quod eduxisset Dominus Israël de Ægypto, |