Exodus 18:4

KJV

And the name of the other [was] Eliezer; for the God of my father, [said he, was] mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the name {H8034} of the other {H259} was Eliezer {H461}; for the God {H430} of my father {H1}, said he, was mine help {H5828}, and delivered {H5337} me from the sword {H2719} of Pharaoh {H6547}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The name of the other was Eli'ezer [my God helps], "because the God of my father helped me by rescuing me from Pharaoh's sword."

Berean Standard Bible

The other son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”

American Standard Version

and the name of the other was Eliezer; forhe said, The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 18:4 presents Moses' naming of his second son, Eliezer, a deeply personal and theological act that serves as a profound testimony to God's active, faithful, and specific intervention in his life. The name, meaning "My God is help," commemorates God's decisive deliverance of Moses from the life-threatening power of Pharaoh, thereby underscoring God's character as a reliable helper and rescuer who acts sovereignly on behalf of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Exodus 18, a pivotal chapter detailing the reunion of Moses with his father-in-law Jethro, his wife Zipporah, and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, in the wilderness near Mount Horeb. This reunion occurs after the momentous events of the Exodus and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, but before the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. The chapter acts as a narrative interlude, shifting focus from the grand acts of national deliverance to Moses' personal life and family, and Jethro's subsequent counsel on judicial administration. The naming of Moses' sons—Gershom (meaning "a stranger there") in [Exodus 2:22](/exodus/2-22 "Exodus 2:22 - Moses Names Gershom") and Eliezer here—bookends Moses' early narrative, reflecting his journey from exile and his profound experiences of divine providence. Both names are profoundly autobiographical, encapsulating Moses' past struggles and God's specific deliverances, setting a tone of remembrance and gratitude that permeates the entire chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly within Hebrew culture, names were far more than mere identifiers; they often encapsulated significant events, expressed parental hopes, or served as theological declarations. Hebrew names frequently functioned as miniature creeds or memorials, embedding a narrative or a statement of faith within a person's identity. Moses' naming of Eliezer is a prime example of this practice, as the verse explicitly states the theological rationale behind the name. The "sword of Pharaoh" refers to the existential threat Moses faced personally, particularly after he killed an Egyptian and fled from Pharaoh's wrath, as recounted in [Exodus 2:11-15](/exodus/2-11-15 "Exodus 2:11-15 - Moses Kills an Egyptian and Flees"). More broadly, it symbolizes the entire oppressive regime and military might of Egypt that sought to enslave and destroy the Israelites, culminating in the pursuit to the Red Sea detailed in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea"). Moses' testimony, enshrined in his son's name, acknowledges God's miraculous intervention that thwarted Pharaoh's power and secured deliverance for both Moses personally and, by extension, for the nascent nation of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 18:4 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Providence**, highlighting God's active involvement in the lives of His chosen people, rescuing them from seemingly insurmountable odds. The name Eliezer itself is a testament to God as a **Personal Helper and Rescuer**, emphasizing His intimate care for individuals, not just nations. This verse also reinforces the theme of **Remembering God's Faithfulness**, as the name serves as a perpetual memorial of God's past interventions. Furthermore, it subtly touches upon **Covenant Continuity**, as Moses attributes his deliverance to "the God of my father," linking his personal experience to the promises made to the patriarchs, a theme central to the divine self-revelation in [Exodus 3](/exodus/3 "Exodus 3 - The Burning Bush"). The naming also exemplifies the **Theological Significance of Names** in Hebrew culture, where names convey profound meaning and often serve as declarations of faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eliezer (Hebrew, _ʼĔlîyʻezer'_):** This is a compound Hebrew name derived from two elements: _ʼEl_ (אֵל), meaning "God," and _ʻezer_ (עֵזֶר), meaning "help" or "aid." Thus, it translates to "God of help" or "My God is help." The name functions as a declarative statement of faith, a personal creed inscribed upon his son, perpetually reminding Moses and all who heard it of God's active and personal intervention. It signifies not merely general assistance, but a powerful, divine rescue from overwhelming danger, embodying God's character as the supreme deliverer.
* **Help (Hebrew, _ʻêzer'_):** This word denotes aid or assistance, particularly from a superior or indispensable source. While it can refer to human help, its application to God, as seen here, emphasizes divine power and capability to deliver where human strength utterly fails. It speaks to God's indispensable and sovereign support. The root word is also used to describe Eve as a "helper" (_ʻezer_) fit for Adam, implying not subservience but a vital, complementary strength. In this context, it highlights God's unique ability to provide the necessary aid for deliverance.
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** This primitive root means "to snatch away," whether in a good or bad sense, but here specifically implies rescue, preservation, or recovery. It conveys the idea of being pulled out of danger or from a perilous situation. In Moses' case, it signifies God's decisive and powerful act of rescuing him from the direct threat posed by Pharaoh. This deliverance was not passive but an active, forceful intervention by God to save Moses from certain death, underscoring God's dynamic and protective nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the name of the other [was] Eliezer;":** This clause introduces Moses' second son, distinguishing him from Gershom. The immediate explanation of his name within the verse itself highlights its profound theological significance, signaling that this name is a deliberate and public declaration of Moses' gratitude and theological understanding of God's character and actions.
* **"for the God of my father, [said he, was] mine help,":** Here, Moses explicitly provides the spiritual rationale for the name. The phrase "the God of my father" is crucial, connecting Moses' personal experience of divine help to the covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This underscores the continuity of God's faithfulness across generations, assuring Moses and the reader that the God who sustained his ancestors was also his personal helper and protector, actively involved in his life.
* **"and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:":** This specifies the particular act of divine intervention that prompted the naming. The "sword of Pharaoh" represents the ultimate threat from the Egyptian empire—not just Pharaoh's initial attempt to kill Moses, but also, by extension, the pervasive and deadly threat that Pharaoh and his army posed to Moses and the entire Israelite nation during the Exodus. This deliverance was absolute and decisive, demonstrating God's sovereign power over human oppressors and His unwavering commitment to His people.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 18:4 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Etymological Significance** is central, as the name Eliezer is not merely a label but a direct theological statement, explicitly explained by Moses himself. This makes the name a potent **Personal Testimony**, a declarative act of faith and remembrance that encapsulates Moses' profound experience of God's saving power. The phrase "sword of Pharaoh" functions as a striking **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the part (the sword, representing military might and lethal intent) stands in for the whole (Pharaoh's entire oppressive regime, his murderous decrees, and the formidable Egyptian army). This vivid imagery highlights the immense magnitude of the threat from which God delivered Moses. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Parallelism** between "mine help" and "delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh," where the second phrase elaborates on the nature and extent of the "help" provided by God, emphasizing its specific, life-saving quality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 18:4 profoundly highlights God's character as a personal, active, and generational Deliverer. Moses' naming of Eliezer is a testament to divine providence, demonstrating that God is not a distant deity but intimately involved in the lives of His people, providing specific and powerful help in times of dire need. This verse reinforces the theme of remembering God's faithfulness, urging believers to acknowledge and commemorate His past interventions as a foundation for future trust. It connects Moses' personal deliverance to the broader narrative of Israel's salvation, emphasizing that the God who helped Moses was the same God who liberated an entire nation from slavery, underscoring His covenant loyalty and omnipotent power. The name Eliezer serves as a perpetual reminder that God is indeed "our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

* [Psalm 46:1](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God Alone Saves")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise to Help")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The naming of Eliezer serves as a powerful invitation for us to reflect on the "Eliezer" moments in our own lives – those specific instances where God intervened, provided help, and delivered us from overwhelming circumstances, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Just as Moses permanently inscribed God's faithfulness into his family's history, we are called to cultivate a deep and lasting memory of God's past deliverances. This practice of remembrance is not merely nostalgic; it is a vital spiritual discipline that strengthens our faith, builds our confidence in God's ongoing presence, and equips us to face future challenges with trust rather than fear. Acknowledging God as "my help" transforms our perspective, fostering profound gratitude and a deeper dependence on His sovereign care in every season of life. It compels us to share our testimonies, allowing our lives to become living memorials to God's unfailing help, just as Eliezer's name was for Moses.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Eliezer" moments can you identify in your own life where God was your specific help and deliverer from a significant threat or challenge?**
* **How does intentionally remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen your trust and hope for future challenges and uncertainties?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and publicly acknowledge God's interventions in your life, perhaps by sharing your "Eliezer" story with others?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses name his sons with such significant meanings?**

Answer: In ancient Hebrew culture, names were often chosen to reflect significant events, circumstances, or profound theological truths. Moses' naming of his sons, Gershom and Eliezer, is deeply autobiographical and theological. Gershom (meaning "a stranger there"), named in [Exodus 2:22](/exodus/2-22 "Exodus 2:22 - Moses Names Gershom"), reflected Moses' feelings of alienation and exile in Midian. Eliezer (meaning "My God is help") commemorated God's specific act of delivering Moses from Pharaoh's direct threat and, by extension, the broader oppressive power of Egypt. These names served as perpetual reminders to Moses, his family, and future generations of God's personal providence, protection, and faithfulness throughout his challenging journey. They were living testimonies to his experiences and God's unchanging character.

**What is the significance of "the God of my father" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "the God of my father" is a crucial theological link, connecting Moses' personal experience of deliverance to the covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When God first revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush, He identified Himself as "the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" ([Exodus 3:6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3:6 - God's Identity to Moses")). By using this phrase, Moses acknowledges the continuity of God's covenant faithfulness across generations. It emphasizes that the same God who made promises to the patriarchs, and who had been faithful to them, was now personally intervening and providing help to Moses. This continuity provided a deep sense of security and assurance, grounding Moses' personal testimony within the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan for His people, demonstrating that God is eternally faithful to His covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound testimony embedded in the name Eliezer, "My God is help," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Moses was delivered from the "sword of Pharaoh," a potent symbol of earthly oppression, tyranny, and death, Christ delivers humanity from far greater enemies: the spiritual "Pharaoh" of sin, the dominion of death, and the power of the devil. Jesus' very name, Yeshua (Jesus), means "The Lord saves" or "Yahweh is salvation," perfectly embodying and expanding upon the "God is help" theme. His entire life, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross and triumphant resurrection, constitutes the supreme act of divine help and deliverance for all humanity. Through His atoning work, Christ disarmed the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), delivering us from the fear of death and its bondage ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus' Victory Over Death")), and reconciling us to God. Thus, Jesus is the supreme Eliezer, the embodiment of God's active, personal, and complete help for all who believe, demonstrating God's immeasurable love in that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love in Christ's Death")), offering eternal salvation and true freedom.

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

2 Timothy 4:17

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Acts 12:11

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

2 Corinthians 1:8

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

2 Corinthians 1:10

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];

Hebrews 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Psalms 18:48

He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

Psalms 46:1

¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.