Exodus 18:10
And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
Original Language Analysis
בָּר֣וּךְ
Blessed
H1288
בָּר֣וּךְ
Blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
3 of 18
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָ֔ה
be the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
be the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִצִּיל֙
who hath delivered
H5337
הִצִּיל֙
who hath delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
6 of 18
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶתְכֶ֛ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יַד
and out of the hand
H3027
יַד
and out of the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יַד
and out of the hand
H3027
יַד
and out of the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִצִּיל֙
who hath delivered
H5337
הִצִּיל֙
who hath delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
13 of 18
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֔ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
15 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִתַּ֖חַת
H8478
מִתַּ֖חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
16 of 18
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
Cross References
Genesis 14:20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.2 Samuel 18:28And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.Luke 1:68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Historical Context
Jethro's blessing represents a Midianite priest's acknowledgment of YHWH's supremacy. As descendant of Abraham through Keturah, Jethro likely worshipped God but now explicitly recognizes YHWH's covenant name and power.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jethro blessing YHWH specifically teach about the particularity of true worship?
- How does threefold emphasis on deliverance model worship that multiplies recounting God's mercies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians—Jethro's blessing formula 'Blessed be the LORD' (בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה, barukh YHWH) is first use of this liturgical phrase in Scripture, setting pattern for worship. His blessing specifically names YHWH, not generic deity, showing he worships Israel's covenant God. The dual deliverance—'out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh'—distinguishes nation (Egyptians) from ruler (Pharaoh), comprehensively acknowledging complete liberation. The phrase 'who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians' adds third emphasis on rescue. This triple deliverance statement builds to crescendo of praise, modeling worship's multiplication of God's mercies.