Exodus 18:12

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּקַּ֞ח

H3947

took

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יִתְר֨וֹ

H3503

And Jethro

jethro, moses' father-in-law

חֹתֵ֥ן

H2859

father in law

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

מֹשֶׁ֖ה

H4872

Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֹלָ֥ה

H5930

a burnt offering

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וּזְבָחִ֖ים

H2077

and sacrifices

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃

H430

God

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

וַיָּבֹ֨א

H935

came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן

H175

and Aaron

aharon, the brother of moses

#10

וְכֹ֣ל׀

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#11

זִקְנֵ֣י

H2205

and all the elders

old

#12

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#13

לֶֽאֱכָל

H398

to eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#14

לֶ֛חֶם

H3899

bread

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

#15

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#16

חֹתֵ֥ן

H2859

father in law

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

#17

מֹשֶׁ֖ה

H4872

Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

#18

לִפְנֵ֥י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#19

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃

H430

God

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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Exodus. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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Moses