Exodus 3:1
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
Original Language Analysis
הָיָ֥ה
kept
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
kept
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
רֹעֶ֛ה
H7462
רֹעֶ֛ה
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
3 of 19
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַצֹּאן֙
the flock
H6629
הַצֹּאן֙
the flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
5 of 19
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
חֹֽתְנ֖וֹ
his father in law
H2859
חֹֽתְנ֖וֹ
his father in law
Strong's:
H2859
Word #:
7 of 19
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
כֹּהֵ֣ן
the priest
H3548
כֹּהֵ֣ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִדְיָ֑ן
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָ֑ן
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
9 of 19
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
וַיִּנְהַ֤ג
and he led
H5090
וַיִּנְהַ֤ג
and he led
Strong's:
H5090
Word #:
10 of 19
to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַצֹּאן֙
the flock
H6629
הַצֹּאן֙
the flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
12 of 19
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
אַחַ֣ר
to the backside
H310
אַחַ֣ר
to the backside
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר
of the desert
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר
of the desert
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
14 of 19
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וַיָּבֹ֛א
and came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֛א
and came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
15 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַ֥ר
to the mountain
H2022
הַ֥ר
to the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
17 of 19
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Cross References
Exodus 17:6Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.1 Kings 19:8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.Numbers 10:29And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.Exodus 19:11And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.Judges 4:11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.Psalms 106:19They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.Exodus 19:3And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;Exodus 2:16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.Exodus 24:13And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.Exodus 3:5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Historical Context
Horeb/Sinai is traditionally located in the southern Sinai Peninsula, though exact location is debated. The journey from Midian to Horeb with flocks was arduous, indicating Moses' skill and experience in wilderness survival. Shepherding taught patience, attentiveness, and sacrificial leadership—all essential qualities for Moses' future role. The 40-year preparation period (Acts 7:30) mirrored his 40 years in Egypt and foreshadowed 40 years leading Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' 40 years of obscure shepherding encourage you when God's preparation seems lengthy and hidden?
- What "backside of the desert" experiences is God using to equip you for future callings you don't yet see?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb (וּמֹשֶׁה הָיָה רֹעֶה אֶת־צֹאן יִתְרוֹ חֹתְנוֹ כֹּהֵן מִדְיָן וַיִּנְהַג אֶת־הַצֹּאן אַחַר הַמִּדְבָּר וַיָּבֹא אֶל־הַר הָאֱלֹהִים חֹרֵבָה, uMosheh hayah ro'eh et-tson Yithro chotno kohen Midyan vayinhag et-hatson achar hamidbar vayavo el-har ha'Elohim Choreivah)—Moses the prince has become Moses the shepherd for 40 years—God's wilderness seminary. Mountain of God (הַר הָאֱלֹהִים, har ha'Elohim) and Horeb (חֹרֵבָה, related to "desolate") is Mount Sinai, where God will later give the Law (Exodus 19-20). The name "mountain of God" is prophetic—this site wasn't sacred until God manifested there. Moses' shepherding prepared him for leading God's flock; the wilderness trained him for the Exodus journey. Humble pastoral work was God's chosen preparation for His chosen deliverer.