Exodus 18:12

KJV

And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jethro {H3503}, Moses {H4872}' father in law {H2859}, took {H3947} a burnt offering {H5930} and sacrifices {H2077} for God {H430}: and Aaron {H175} came {H935}, and all the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478}, to eat {H398} bread {H3899} with Moses {H4872}' father in law {H2859} before {H6440} God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yitro Moshe's father-in-law brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aharon came with all the leaders of Isra'el to share the meal before God with Moshe's father-in-law.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.

American Standard Version

And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 18:12 describes a pivotal moment of worship and fellowship where Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, offers burnt offerings and sacrifices to God, culminating in a communal meal shared with Moses, Aaron, and all the elders of Israel. This event immediately follows Jethro's declaration of Yahweh's supremacy after hearing of God's mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt, serving as a tangible expression of his profound acknowledgment and devotion to the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant narrative arc in [Exodus chapter 18](/exodus/18 "Exodus 18 - Jethro's Visit and Counsel"). Prior to this, Jethro, a Midianite priest, has journeyed to meet Moses in the wilderness, bringing with him Moses' wife, Zipporah, and their two sons. Moses recounts to Jethro "all that the LORD had done for Israel's sake" ([Exodus 18:8](/exodus/18-8 "Exodus 18:8 - Moses Recounts God's Deeds")), detailing the miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the defeat of the Amalekites. Jethro's response is one of profound praise and acknowledgment, culminating in his emphatic declaration, "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods" ([Exodus 18:11](/exodus/18-11 "Exodus 18:11 - Jethro's Declaration")). Verse 12 then details the immediate, tangible expression of this newfound or affirmed faith through an act of worship and a sacred communal meal, before Jethro offers Moses strategic counsel on judicial administration in the verses that follow ([Exodus 18:13-27](/exodus/18-13 "Exodus 18:13-27 - Jethro's Counsel to Moses")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Exodus 18 occur in the wilderness, after the Israelites' miraculous deliverance from Egypt and before the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Jethro, identified as a Midianite priest, represents an outsider to the Israelite covenant community. In the ancient Near East, communal meals, especially those associated with sacrifices, were not merely social gatherings but deeply significant acts. They often served as expressions of covenant ratification, solemn acts of fellowship, and shared devotion before a deity. The act of "eating bread before God" was a sacred ritual, symbolizing peace, communion, and the presence of the divine within the shared space. Jethro's initiative to offer sacrifices and invite the Israelite leadership to partake signifies his profound respect for and submission to Yahweh, a striking testament to God's power recognized even by those outside the direct covenant line. The burnt offering (Hebrew: _‘olah_) symbolized complete surrender and devotion, while other sacrifices (Hebrew: _zevahim_), likely peace or fellowship offerings, typically involved a shared meal, emphasizing communion between the offerer, the community, and God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _‘olah'_):** This term refers to a specific type of sacrifice where the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, ascending as smoke to God. It symbolized complete dedication, atonement, and total surrender to the Lord. Jethro's choice of an _‘olah_ indicates a profound and unreserved act of worship and devotion to Yahweh.
* **Sacrifices (Hebrew, _zevahim'_):** This is a broader term encompassing various types of offerings, distinct from the burnt offering. In this context, it most likely refers to peace offerings (also called fellowship offerings), where portions of the sacrificed animal were eaten by the offerers, the priests, and the community. These sacrifices emphasized communion, thanksgiving, and the establishment or reaffirmation of a peaceful relationship with God and one another.
* **Eat Bread (Hebrew, _lekhem'_)::** While literally meaning "bread," _lekhem_ in this context, especially when used with "eat," often refers to partaking in a full meal or feast. The phrase "to eat bread with" signifies sharing a communal meal, establishing a bond of fellowship, and participating in a shared experience. The addition "before God" elevates this meal from a mere social gathering to a sacred act of communion in the divine presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God:"** This clause highlights Jethro's proactive spiritual response. Having heard of Yahweh's mighty deeds and declared His supremacy, Jethro immediately translates his theological conviction into tangible worship. The offerings are explicitly "for God," emphasizing that they are directed to Yahweh, not to any other deity he may have previously served. This demonstrates a genuine and profound acknowledgment of Yahweh's unique and supreme power.
* **"and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel,"** The presence of Aaron, Moses' brother and the designated high priest, along with "all the elders of Israel," signifies the official leadership of the Israelite nation. Their participation in this meal with Jethro is crucial. It symbolizes the acceptance of Jethro into the spiritual fellowship of Israel's leaders and underscores a moment of unity, mutual respect, and shared reverence centered around their collective acknowledgment of God.
* **"to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God."** This phrase describes the culmination of the worship act: a sacred communal meal. The phrase "before God" is vital, indicating that the meal is not merely a social gathering but takes place in the divine presence, making it a holy and covenantal act. It signifies peace, shared faith, and deep fellowship between Jethro (the Midianite outsider) and the leadership of Israel, all united in their devotion to Yahweh.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Exodus 18:12 employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "burnt offering" symbolizing Jethro's complete devotion and surrender to Yahweh, and the "sacrifices" (likely peace offerings) and communal meal symbolizing fellowship, peace, and covenantal communion. The act of eating "before God" further reinforces the sacred nature of this communion. There is also an element of **Inclusion**, as Jethro, a Midianite priest from outside the Israelite covenant, is welcomed into a sacred meal with the spiritual and civic leadership of Israel, demonstrating God's universal reach and the potential for unity among diverse peoples under His sovereignty. Furthermore, the narrative subtly employs **Transformation** or **Conversion**, as Jethro's actions mark a clear departure from his previous religious context (as a priest of Midian) to an active and public worship of Yahweh, highlighting the power of God's revelation to change hearts and allegiances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 18:12 powerfully illustrates the universal reach of God's redemptive work and the appropriate response of worship and fellowship. Jethro, an "outsider" to the Israelite covenant, recognizes Yahweh's supremacy not through direct revelation but through hearing of God's mighty acts on behalf of Israel. His immediate response of offering sacrifices and sharing a communal meal "before God" demonstrates that true faith, regardless of one's background, leads to genuine worship and a desire for communion with God and His people. This event foreshadows the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, where all who acknowledge His sovereignty are welcomed into fellowship, breaking down barriers of ethnicity or prior religious affiliation. It underscores the importance of corporate worship and shared meals as expressions of unity, gratitude, and devotion within the community of faith.

* [Leviticus 7:15](/leviticus/7-15 "Leviticus 7:15 - Peace Offering Meal")
* [Psalm 22:27](/psalm/22-27 "Psalm 22:27 - All the Ends of the Earth Will Remember")
* [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My House Shall Be Called a House of Prayer for All Peoples")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 18:12 serves as a profound reminder that our faith is not merely intellectual assent but should lead to tangible expressions of worship, gratitude, and fellowship. Jethro's spontaneous and costly act of offering sacrifices, followed by a sacred meal with the Israelite leadership, challenges us to consider the depth of our own response to God's goodness and power in our lives. Do we, like Jethro, allow God's mighty acts to move us to genuine adoration and communion? This verse also highlights the sacredness of shared meals and communal gatherings within the faith community. In a world often marked by division, the image of Jethro, Aaron, and the elders eating together "before God" underscores the unifying power of shared faith and the importance of hospitality and inclusion. It calls us to create spaces where all who acknowledge God are welcomed, fostering genuine fellowship and mutual respect, much like the early church shared meals, symbolizing their unity in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jethro's immediate and sacrificial response to God's power inspire your own expression of faith and gratitude?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate genuine fellowship and unity "before God" within our own communities, inviting both insiders and outsiders to share in sacred communion?**
* **What does Jethro's inclusion in this sacred meal teach us about God's welcoming nature and the potential for unity among believers from diverse backgrounds?**

### FAQ
**Was Jethro a convert to Yahwism, or did he simply acknowledge Yahweh's power?**

Answer: While the text doesn't explicitly use the term "convert," Jethro's actions in [Exodus 18:12](/exodus/18-12 "Exodus 18:12 - Jethro's Worship and Meal") go beyond mere acknowledgment. His declaration, "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods" ([Exodus 18:11](/exodus/18-11 "Exodus 18:11 - Jethro's Declaration")), followed by his initiative to take "a burnt offering and sacrifices for God," and then partaking in a sacred meal with Israel's leaders "before God," strongly indicates a profound shift in allegiance and active worship of Yahweh as the supreme God. As a Midianite priest, he likely had served other deities, but his actions here demonstrate a clear recognition of Yahweh's unique power and a willingness to worship Him exclusively, suggesting a genuine spiritual transformation or a profound affirmation of Yahweh's unique supremacy.

**Why is it significant that Aaron and the elders of Israel ate with Jethro?**

Answer: The presence of Aaron and "all the elders of Israel" at this communal meal is highly significant. It symbolizes the acceptance of Jethro, an outsider, into the spiritual and communal fellowship of Israel's leadership. Eating together "before God" was a sacred act, often signifying covenant, peace, and shared devotion. This event underscores the unifying power of shared faith in Yahweh, breaking down potential ethnic or religious barriers. It portrays a scene of unity and mutual respect centered around their shared reverence for God, foreshadowing the inclusive nature of God's people, where those from diverse backgrounds can find common ground and fellowship in His presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 18:12, with its themes of sacrifice, communal meal, and the inclusion of an outsider, finds rich fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jethro's burnt offering and sacrifices, made in response to God's mighty deliverance, foreshadow the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. He is the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose self-offering completely fulfills and supersedes all Old Testament sacrifices, providing true atonement and enabling genuine communion with God. The communal meal shared "before God" prefigures the New Covenant meal, the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, instituted by Christ himself ([Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). In this sacred meal, believers commune with their resurrected Lord and with one another, symbolizing their shared life in Him and their participation in His new covenant. Furthermore, Jethro, the Midianite priest, being welcomed into fellowship with Israel's leaders, beautifully foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family through Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus broke down the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")) between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity united in Him. Thus, Jethro's worship and communal meal serve as a powerful Old Testament echo of the universal, inclusive, and redemptive work accomplished by Christ, inviting all to partake in the ultimate sacrifice and the eternal feast in God's presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 31:54

Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

Deuteronomy 12:7

And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

Exodus 24:11

And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

Exodus 24:5

And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

1 Corinthians 10:18

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

Deuteronomy 27:7

And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.

Job 42:8

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.