Exodus 18:12
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.
Original Language Analysis
חֹתֵ֥ן
father in law
H2859
חֹתֵ֥ן
father in law
Strong's:
H2859
Word #:
3 of 19
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
עֹלָ֥ה
a burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֥ה
a burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
5 of 19
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וּזְבָחִ֖ים
and sacrifices
H2077
וּזְבָחִ֖ים
and sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 19
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
וְכֹ֣ל׀
H3605
וְכֹ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֶ֛חֶם
bread
H3899
לֶ֛חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
14 of 19
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
15 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
חֹתֵ֥ן
father in law
H2859
חֹתֵ֥ן
father in law
Strong's:
H2859
Word #:
16 of 19
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
Cross References
Genesis 31:54Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.Deuteronomy 12:7And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.Exodus 24:11And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.Exodus 24:5And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
Historical Context
This sacrifice and meal occurred before the formal institution of Aaronic priesthood at Sinai, showing that acceptable worship preceded legal structures. The elders' participation welcomed Jethro into covenant fellowship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jethro offering sacrifice before Aaronic priesthood exists preview Christ's non-Aaronic priesthood?
- What does the covenant meal with elders teach about incorporating outsiders into worship community?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God—Jethro's worship through sacrifice demonstrates genuine conversion. The 'burnt offering' (עֹלָה, olah, completely consumed) and 'sacrifices' (זְבָחִים, z'vachim, peace offerings) show comprehensive worship combining atonement and fellowship. The phrase 'for God' (לֵאלֹהִים, l'Elohim) indicates these are offered to YHWH, not Midianite deities. Aaron and all Israel's elders eating 'bread before God' (לֶאֱכָל־לֶחֶם עִם־חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, le'ekhol-lechem im-choten Moshe lifnei ha'Elohim) constitutes covenant meal, incorporating Jethro into worship community. This meal prefigures Gentile inclusion at the Lord's table. Jethro's priesthood offering sacrifice shows grace—God accepts worship from non-Aaronic priest, anticipating Christ's Melchizedek priesthood (Heb 7).