Exodus 4:18
And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙
I pray thee and return
H7725
וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙
I pray thee and return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
3 of 23
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
חֹֽתְנ֗וֹ
his father in law
H2859
חֹֽתְנ֗וֹ
his father in law
Strong's:
H2859
Word #:
6 of 23
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
אֵ֣לְכָה
H1980
אֵ֣לְכָה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נָּ֗א
H4994
נָּ֗א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
10 of 23
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙
I pray thee and return
H7725
וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙
I pray thee and return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
11 of 23
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַחַ֣י
unto my brethren
H251
אַחַ֣י
unto my brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
13 of 23
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם
which are in Egypt
H4714
בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם
which are in Egypt
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
15 of 23
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וְאֶרְאֶ֖ה
and see
H7200
וְאֶרְאֶ֖ה
and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
16 of 23
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הַֽעוֹדָ֣ם
whether they be yet
H5750
הַֽעוֹדָ֣ם
whether they be yet
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
חַיִּ֑ים
alive
H2416
חַיִּ֑ים
alive
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
18 of 23
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern culture required adult sons-in-law to request release from family obligations before departing. Moses' courtesy toward Jethro honored his father-in-law and received blessing in return. Jethro will later reunite with Moses (18:1-12), bringing Moses' wife and sons, suggesting their separation was understood as temporary mission, not permanent abandonment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' respectful departure from Jethro model appropriate handling of family and relational obligations when God calls to new mission?
- When has God called you to leave a season or place, and how did you honor those relationships while obeying the call?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace (וַיֵּלֶךְ מֹשֶׁה וַיָּשָׁב אֶל־יֶתֶר חֹתְנוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אֵלְכָה נָּא וְאָשׁוּבָה אֶל־אַחַי אֲשֶׁר־בְּמִצְרַיִם וְאֶרְאֶה הַעוֹדָם חַיִּים וַיֹּאמֶר יִתְרוֹ לְמֹשֶׁה לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם)—Moses returns to Jethro, showing proper honor and requesting release from family obligation. Let me go... and return unto my brethren—Moses frames this as family concern: see whether they be yet alive. He doesn't reveal the burning bush encounter—either from humility, concern Jethro wouldn't understand, or divine instruction to maintain discretion. Go in peace (לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם)—Jethro's blessing releases Moses with שָׁלוֹם (shalom, peace/wholeness). This proper departure contrasts with Moses' flight from Egypt (2:15). God's servants leave well, maintaining relationships and honor.