Exodus 18:8
And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְסַפֵּ֤ר
told
H5608
וַיְסַפֵּ֤ר
told
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
לְחֹ֣תְנ֔וֹ
his father in law
H2859
לְחֹ֣תְנ֔וֹ
his father in law
Strong's:
H2859
Word #:
3 of 21
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
אֵת֩
H853
אֵת֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 21
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 #:
5 of 21
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 #:
6 of 21
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 #:
7 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָֽה׃
all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּלְמִצְרַ֔יִם
and to the Egyptians
H4714
וּלְמִצְרַ֔יִם
and to the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
10 of 21
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
for Israel's
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
for Israel's
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֵ֤ת
H853
אֵ֤ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
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 #:
15 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְצָאָ֣תַם
that had come
H4672
מְצָאָ֣תַם
that had come
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ
upon them by the way
H1870
בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ
upon them by the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
19 of 21
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Psalms 81:7Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.Psalms 107:2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;Psalms 106:10And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.Nehemiah 9:32Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.Numbers 20:14And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
Historical Context
This testimony likely included the ten plagues, Red Sea crossing, manna provision, water from rock, and Amalek victory—a comprehensive salvation history covering approximately one year.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' testimony attributing all to 'the LORD' model proper glory-giving in recounting God's works?
- What does including 'travail' alongside victories teach about honest testimony versus triumphalism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake—Moses' testimony focuses on what 'the LORD had done'—attributing glory to God, not himself. The comprehensive scope ('all that the LORD had done') and specific elements (Pharaoh, Egyptians, 'for Israel's sake') shows detailed recounting of redemptive history. The phrase 'all the travail that had come upon them by the way' includes hardships, not just victories, giving honest account. The conclusion 'and how the LORD delivered them' (וַיַּצִּלֵם יְהוָה, vayatzzilem YHWH) emphasizes divine rescue. This testimony models evangelism: recount what God has done, acknowledge difficulties, emphasize His deliverance. Moses tells redemption story before giving law, showing salvation precedes obedience.