Exodus 18:9

KJV

And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jethro {H3503} rejoiced {H2302} for all the goodness {H2896} which the LORD {H3068} had done {H6213} to Israel {H3478}, whom he had delivered {H5337} out of the hand {H3027} of the Egyptians {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yitro rejoiced over all the good that ADONAI had done for Isra'el by rescuing them from the Egyptians.

Berean Standard Bible

And Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had rescued from the hand of the Egyptians.

American Standard Version

And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Jehovah had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 18:9 presents a pivotal moment where Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, expresses profound joy and gratitude upon hearing the comprehensive account of Yahweh's miraculous and powerful deliverance of Israel from the oppressive bondage of Egypt. This verse not only highlights the universal impact of God's redemptive acts, demonstrating that His mighty deeds elicit a rightful response of awe and celebration even from those outside the immediate covenant community, but also serves as a theological affirmation of God's unmatched power and benevolent character, setting the stage for further divine instruction and the organization of Israel as a nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of Jethro's visit to Moses in the wilderness, specifically after the momentous events at Sinai and the giving of the Law, though chronologically it occurs before the full revelation of the Law. The preceding verses, [Exodus 18:1-8](/exodus/18-1-8 "Exodus 18:1-8 - Jethro's Arrival and Moses' Account"), meticulously detail Jethro's journey to reunite Moses with his wife Zipporah and their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Moses then recounts to Jethro "all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and and how the LORD delivered them." Jethro's enthusiastic response in verse 9, followed by his profound declaration of Yahweh's supremacy and his offering of sacrifices in [Exodus 18:10-12](/exodus/18-10-12 "Exodus 18:10-12 - Jethro's Praise and Worship"), serves as a powerful, external validation of God's redemptive work. This significant encounter then transitions into Jethro's crucial and divinely inspired advice to Moses regarding the establishment of a decentralized judicial system for Israel, a foundational moment for the nation's governance and a practical application of wisdom, as detailed in [Exodus 18:13-27](/exodus/18-13-27 "Exodus 18:13-27 - Jethro's Wise Counsel and Judicial System").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this encounter is the wilderness near Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, where Israel had encamped after their miraculous exodus from Egypt. Jethro, identified as the "priest of Midian," represents a significant figure outside the direct Israelite lineage, yet one who demonstrates an awareness, and ultimately, an acknowledgment of Yahweh. Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah, and while often portrayed as adversaries of Israel later in their history, certain individuals, like Jethro, maintained a connection. Jethro's journey to meet Moses highlights the enduring importance of family ties and the rapid spread of news regarding God's powerful acts, even across tribal boundaries. The phrase "the hand of the Egyptians" vividly refers to the severe oppression, brutal slavery, and tyrannical control Israel endured, which culminated in the devastating plagues and the dramatic, miraculous crossing of the Red Sea—events that had already become legendary. Jethro's unreserved reaction is particularly significant because it demonstrates that the fame of Yahweh's deliverance extended far beyond Israel's borders, impacting even those who were not direct participants in the covenant, thereby validating the universal scope of God's power and sovereignty. This encounter also prefigures the inclusion of Gentiles into the worship of the God of Israel, a profound theme that resonates throughout biblical history and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 18:9 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the **Sovereignty and Power of Yahweh**, demonstrating that God is not merely a tribal deity but the supreme ruler over all nations and forces, capable of delivering His people from the mightiest empire of the ancient world. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Goodness and Providence**, showcasing God's benevolent character through His comprehensive care for Israel, from their liberation to their sustenance in the wilderness. Jethro's response validates the truth of God's active involvement in human affairs, echoing themes seen in [Exodus 15:1-18](/exodus/15-1-18 "Exodus 15:1-18 - The Song of Moses and Miriam"). Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **Universal Recognition of God's Glory**, as an outsider acknowledges and praises Yahweh, prefiguring the later prophetic visions of all nations coming to worship the God of Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2-4 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House")). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Wise Counsel and Delegation**, as Jethro's visit transitions into his practical advice for Moses, emphasizing the importance of community structure and leadership for the nascent nation of Israel, as seen in [Exodus 18:19-23](/exodus/18-19-23 "Exodus 18:19-23 - Jethro's Counsel on Judging").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rejoiced (Hebrew, חָדָה, _châdâh'_):** This primitive root signifies a deep, heartfelt gladness or joy, often expressed outwardly. It denotes not a superficial happiness but an internal delight and exultation that arises from a profound appreciation of a beneficial event or divine action. In this context, Jethro's joy is a direct, unreserved response to the overwhelming goodness and power of Yahweh, indicating a genuine recognition of God's character and deeds. The verb implies a state of being made glad or joining in celebration.
* **Goodness (Hebrew, טוֹב, _ṭôḇ'_):** This comprehensive Hebrew term, derived from a root meaning "good," denotes not only moral excellence but also prosperity, welfare, kindness, and benefit. Here, it encapsulates the entire spectrum of God's benevolent and miraculous actions on behalf of Israel—from their liberation from slavery to their preservation in the wilderness. Jethro's focus on "all the goodness" highlights the holistic nature of God's provision and care, which extended beyond mere freedom to include His ongoing faithfulness and the establishment of their well-being.
* **Delivered (Hebrew, נָצַל, _nātsal'_):** This primitive root means "to snatch away," "to rescue," "to pull out," or "to deliver." It strongly implies a forceful, decisive intervention to save someone from danger, oppression, or harm. The use of this word emphasizes the active, powerful agency of the LORD in freeing Israel from the "hand" (power, control) of the Egyptians. It underscores that Israel's freedom was not by their own might or by chance, but by a sovereign act of divine rescue, a powerful and complete extraction from peril.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jethro rejoiced":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the emotional state of Moses' father-in-law. Jethro's rejoicing is a direct, unreserved, and heartfelt response, indicating a profound internal delight and exultation. It is a natural human reaction to good news, but in this context, it takes on spiritual significance as a response to divine revelation, demonstrating a genuine recognition of God's character and deeds.
* **"for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel":** Jethro's joy is not vague but specifically tied to the comprehensive "goodness" of God. This refers to the totality of God's benevolent actions, including His kindness, provision, and welfare for Israel. It encompasses the entire narrative of the Exodus, from the plagues to the Red Sea crossing, all demonstrating God's inherent character as good. The phrase "the LORD" (Yahweh, H3068) specifically names the covenant God of Israel, whose unique power and faithfulness are being celebrated as directed towards "Israel" (H3478), His chosen people.
* **"whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians":** This final clause specifies the crowning act of God's goodness: the powerful and decisive rescue of Israel from the oppressive control ("hand," H3027) of the Egyptians (H4714). This deliverance (H5337) was the ultimate demonstration of God's power and commitment to His people, serving as the foundational event of their national identity and relationship with Him, signifying a complete liberation from a tyrannical force.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 18:9 employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. **Narrative Exposition** is prominently featured, as the verse serves as the climactic emotional and theological response to Moses' detailed recounting of the Exodus events, thereby providing an external validation of God's mighty acts. The phrase "all the goodness which the LORD had done" functions as a powerful **Summary** or **Thematic Repetition**, encapsulating the extensive accounts of divine intervention found throughout the preceding chapters of Exodus and reinforcing God's benevolent character. Furthermore, there is a subtle yet profound **Irony** or **Contrast** in Jethro's reaction: an outsider, a Midianite priest, is depicted as rejoicing and acknowledging Yahweh's supremacy even before the Israelites fully grasp the implications of their deliverance or the full revelation of the Law given at Sinai. This highlights the universal reach of God's glory, demonstrating that His power is undeniable even to those not directly part of the covenant. The "hand of the Egyptians" is a potent **Metonymy**, where "hand" represents the power, control, and oppressive authority of Egypt, emphasizing the complete and forceful nature of Israel's liberation from their tyrannical grasp.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 18:9 powerfully articulates the theme of divine sovereignty and benevolent intervention. Jethro's rejoicing is a testament to the undeniable evidence of God's active presence and power in human history, specifically in the deliverance of His people. It underscores that God's "goodness" is not merely an abstract quality but is tangibly demonstrated through His mighty acts of redemption and liberation. This moment also highlights the universal appeal and recognition of God's glory, as even an outsider like Jethro is moved to acknowledge and celebrate Yahweh's supremacy, prefiguring the broader scope of God's redemptive plan to include all nations. The verse emphasizes that the appropriate response to God's goodness and deliverance is profound joy and gratitude, a joy rooted in the character of the Giver and the magnitude of His saving acts.

* [Psalm 107:8](/psalms/107-8 "Psalm 107:8 - Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind")
* [Psalm 126:2](/psalms/126-2 "Psalm 126:2 - Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy")
* [Isaiah 45:22](/isaiah/45-22 "Isaiah 45:22 - Look to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 18:9 serves as a profound reminder of the transformative power of witnessing and acknowledging God's work. Jethro, an outsider, hears the testimony of God's mighty acts and responds with unreserved joy and worship. This challenges us to cultivate a similar heart of gratitude and to actively seek out and celebrate the "goodness" of the LORD in our own lives and in the world around us. It encourages us to share our testimonies of God's faithfulness and deliverance, knowing that such narratives can inspire faith, gratitude, and awe in others, just as Moses' account moved Jethro. Furthermore, this verse calls us to recognize that true joy is found not merely in our own freedom or prosperity, but in acknowledging and celebrating the manifest glory and benevolent character of God Himself, who continually delivers us from various forms of bondage—whether spiritual, emotional, or physical—and demonstrates His unfailing love. Our rejoicing should be rooted in the character of the Giver, not just the gift, prompting us to consider how our lives might better reflect the joy of those who have truly experienced divine liberation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific acts of "goodness" from the LORD in your life or in the world today move you to rejoice with profound gratitude, similar to Jethro?**
* **How effectively do you share the testimony of God's deliverance and goodness with others, and what impact do you hope such narratives will have on their faith and understanding of God?**
* **In what ways might you, like Jethro, need to step back from your daily routines to truly acknowledge and celebrate the comprehensive nature of God's care and rescue in your life, beyond immediate circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why is Jethro's rejoicing significant, given he is not an Israelite?**

Answer: Jethro's rejoicing is highly significant precisely because he is a non-Israelite, identified as a "priest of Midian." His response demonstrates that the fame of Yahweh's powerful acts extended beyond the immediate covenant community of Israel. It validates the truth of Moses' account and underscores the universal scope of God's power and sovereignty, indicating that His glory is evident even to those outside the direct covenant. This foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into the worship and knowledge of the true God, a theme that develops throughout the Old and New Testaments. His subsequent declaration in [Exodus 18:11](/exodus/18-11 "Exodus 18:11 - Jethro's Confession of God's Supremacy") further solidifies his recognition of Yahweh's supremacy over all other gods, making his conversion a powerful testament to God's universal appeal.

**What does "the hand of the Egyptians" refer to in this context?**

Answer: "The hand of the Egyptians" is a common biblical idiom that refers to the power, control, and oppressive authority wielded by the Egyptians over the Israelites. It encapsulates the severe bondage, forced labor, and systematic cruelty that Israel endured for centuries under Pharaoh's dominion. Therefore, being "delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians" means being completely freed from their dominion, slavery, and the threat of their military might, as dramatically demonstrated by the plagues and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea (see [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea")). It emphasizes that God's deliverance was not merely an escape but a decisive, powerful, and complete liberation from a tyrannical force.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jethro's rejoicing over Israel's physical deliverance from Egyptian bondage serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate and infinitely greater spiritual deliverance accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as Yahweh's "goodness" was manifested in rescuing His people from a powerful earthly oppressor, God's supreme goodness is revealed in Christ, who delivers humanity from the far more pervasive and destructive "hand" of sin, death, and the devil (see [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Frees from Fear of Death")). Jethro, an outsider, recognized and rejoiced in God's saving power, prefiguring the universal scope of the Gospel, which extends salvation to all nations, Jew and Gentile alike (as powerfully prophesied in [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light for the Gentiles") and gloriously fulfilled in [Acts 13:47](/acts/13-47 "Acts 13:47 - Paul and Barnabas Turn to the Gentiles")). The joy that filled Jethro's heart upon hearing of God's mighty acts is but a faint echo of the "inexpressible and glorious joy" that believers experience upon receiving the redemption found in Christ (as described in [1 Peter 1:8-9](/1_peter/1-8-9 "1 Peter 1:8-9 - Joy in Salvation")). Jesus is the true Lamb of God, whose ultimate sacrifice takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), securing an eternal deliverance that far surpasses any earthly liberation, ushering believers into a new creation and an everlasting kingdom where true freedom and joy are found.

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

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

1 Corinthians 12:26

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Isaiah 66:10

Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

Romans 12:10

[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Isaiah 44:23

Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done [it]: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.