Exodus 18:7
And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּצֵ֨א
went out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֨א
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לִקְרַ֣את
to meet
H7125
לִקְרַ֣את
to meet
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
3 of 13
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
חֹֽתְנ֗וֹ
his father in law
H2859
חֹֽתְנ֗וֹ
his father in law
Strong's:
H2859
Word #:
4 of 13
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙
and did obeisance
H7812
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙
and did obeisance
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
5 of 13
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
וַיִּשַּׁק
and kissed
H5401
וַיִּשַּׁק
and kissed
Strong's:
H5401
Word #:
6 of 13
to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
וַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ
him and they asked
H7592
וַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ
him and they asked
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
8 of 13
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
אִישׁ
each
H376
אִישׁ
each
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְשָׁל֑וֹם
of their welfare
H7965
לְשָׁל֑וֹם
of their welfare
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
11 of 13
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
Cross References
Genesis 29:13And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.Genesis 18:2And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,Genesis 14:17And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.Genesis 19:1And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;1 Kings 2:19Bath-sheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.2 Samuel 11:7And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern culture emphasized honor toward elders and in-laws. Moses' demonstration of respect affirmed cultural propriety while modeling that leadership doesn't breed arrogance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses bowing to Jethro teach that spiritual authority doesn't eliminate respect for others?
- What does mutual inquiry about welfare reveal about genuine versus merely formal relationships?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him—Moses' going out to meet Jethro demonstrates honor toward father-in-law despite Moses' superior position as Israel's leader. The verb 'did obeisance' (וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ, vayishtachu, 'bowed down, worshipped') shows deep respect—Moses, who speaks with God face-to-face, bows to his father-in-law. This humility models that spiritual authority doesn't eliminate family or social respect. The kiss (וַיִּשַּׁק, vayishaq) indicates affection, not merely protocol. The mutual inquiry 'they asked each other of their welfare' (וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ אִישׁ־לְרֵעֵהוּ לְשָׁלוֹם, vayish'alu ish-l're'ehu l'shalom) shows genuine relationship. Christ models similar honor, submitting to parents despite being their Creator (Luke 2:51).