Exodus 2:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How [is it that] ye are come so soon to day?

Complete Jewish Bible:

When they came to Re'u'el their father, he said, "How come you're back so soon today?"

Berean Standard Bible:

When the daughters returned to their father Reuel, he asked them, “Why have you returned so early today?”

American Standard Version:

And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to-day?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And when they came^{H935} to Reuel^{H7467} their father^{H1}, he said^{H559}, How^{H4069} is it that ye are come^{H935} so soon^{H4116} to day^{H3117}?

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Commentary for Exodus 2:18

Exodus 2:18 is a verse set within the larger narrative of Moses' flight from Egypt to Midian after he had killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. The verse specifically refers to a moment when Moses, having defended the daughters of Reuel (also known as Jethro), a Midianite priest, from shepherds at a well, is invited to Reuel's home. The daughters had previously mentioned that an Egyptian had saved them, which prompts their father's question upon their early return home.

Themes:
1. **Hospitality**: The verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of hospitality, where Reuel invites Moses to dine with his family, showing the cultural expectation of welcoming strangers.
2. **Providence**: There is an underlying theme of divine providence, as Moses' actions lead to his integration into a family and community in Midian, which is part of God's plan to prepare him for his future role as a leader and deliverer of Israel.
3. **Identity and Integration**: The question from Reuel hints at the complexity of Moses' identity. Born a Hebrew but raised as an Egyptian prince, Moses' background is a blend of cultures, and his arrival in Midian begins a new chapter where he will eventually embrace his Hebrew heritage.

Historical Context:
The verse is set in the time of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, which had turned from a place of refuge to one of oppression under a new pharaoh "who did not know Joseph" (Exodus 1:8). Moses, a Hebrew born during this time of slavery, is uniquely positioned between the Egyptians and the Hebrews. His flight to Midian represents a transition period in his life, where he moves from being a member of the Egyptian elite to becoming a shepherd in Midian, a role that foreshadows his future leadership of the Israelite flock.

The mention of Reuel, who is also identified as Jethro in later passages, indicates the interconnectedness of various tribes and groups in the region. Reuel's role as a priest suggests religious significance, and his hospitality to Moses will later extend to his advice on governance and judicial matters when Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt.

In summary, Exodus 2:18 captures a moment of transition and foreshadowing within the broader narrative of Moses' life, highlighting themes of hospitality, divine providence, and the blending of identities, all set against the historical backdrop of Israelite enslavement in Egypt and Moses' emergence as a leader.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7467
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רְעוּאֵל
   Transliteration: Rᵉʻûwʼêl
   Pronunciation: reh-oo-ale'
   Description: from the same as רְעוּ and אֵל; friend of God; Reuel, the name of Moses' father-in-law, also of an Edomite and an Israelite; Raguel, Reuel.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1
   There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָב
   Transliteration: ʼâb
   Pronunciation: awb
   Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4069
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַדּוּעַ
   Transliteration: maddûwaʻ
   Pronunciation: mad-doo'-ah
   Description: or מַדֻּעַ; from מָה and the passive participle of יָדַע; what (is) known?; i.e. (by implication) (adverbially) why?; how, wherefore, why.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4116
   There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָהַר
   Transliteration: mâhar
   Pronunciation: maw-har'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a bad sense); often used (with another verb) adverbially, promptly; be carried headlong, fearful, (cause to make, in, make) haste(-n, -ily), (be) hasty, (fetch, make ready) [idiom] quickly, rash, [idiom] shortly, (be so) [idiom] soon, make speed, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] straightway, [idiom] suddenly, swift.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.