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;
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כֹהֵ֤ן
the priest
H3548
כֹהֵ֤ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 20
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִדְיָן֙
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָן֙
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
4 of 20
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
חֹתֵ֣ן
father in law
H2859
חֹתֵ֣ן
father in law
Strong's:
H2859
Word #:
5 of 20
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
אֵת֩
H853
אֵת֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֤ה
had done
H6213
עָשָׂ֤ה
had done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱלֹהִים֙
of all that God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
of all that God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַמּ֑וֹ
his people
H5971
עַמּ֑וֹ
his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
14 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הוֹצִ֧יא
had brought
H3318
הוֹצִ֧יא
had brought
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
16 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יְהוָ֛ה
and that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
and that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Exodus 3:1Now 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.Exodus 2:16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.Acts 14:27And 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 44:1We 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 34:2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.Psalms 78:4We 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.Psalms 106:2Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?Psalms 105:43And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:Zechariah 8:23Thus 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.Joshua 2:10For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
Historical Context
Jethro (also called Reuel, Ex 2:18) had given Moses refuge and his daughter Zipporah during Moses' 40 years in Midian. His arrival reunites Moses with family after approximately two years.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jethro's faith from outside Israel's covenant preview Gentile inclusion in God's redemption?
- What does news of exodus spreading to surrounding nations teach about God's fame-spreading purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses—Jethro's arrival introduces wisdom from outside Israel's covenant community. His title 'priest of Midian' (כֹּהֵן מִדְיָן, kohen midyan) indicates he served God (likely as descendant of Abraham through Keturah, Gen 25:2) though not within Israel's priesthood. The phrase 'heard of all that God had done' shows that exodus news spread internationally, fulfilling God's purpose to make His name known (Ex 9:16). Jethro's response to hearing—coming to Moses—models faith: hearing about God's works leads to seeking God's people. His bringing Zipporah and sons reconnects Moses' family fractured by calling (Ex 4:25-26).