Exodus 18:1

¶ When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, [and] that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;

When Jethro {H3503}, the priest {H3548} of Midian {H4080}, Moses {H4872}' father in law {H2859}, heard {H8085} of all that God {H430} had done {H6213} for Moses {H4872}, and for Israel {H3478} his people {H5971}, and that the LORD {H3068} had brought {H3318} Israel {H3478} out of Egypt {H4714};

Now Yitro the priest of Midyan, Moshe's father-in-law, heard about all that God had done for Moshe and for Isra'el his people, how ADONAI had brought Isra'el out of Egypt.

Now Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 18:1

Exodus 18:1 introduces a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's wilderness journey: the arrival of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law. Prior to this, Moses had spent forty years in Midian after fleeing Egypt, marrying Zipporah, Jethro's daughter. This verse opens the account of their reunion, occurring after the monumental events of the Exodus from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the initial stages of Israel's journey through the wilderness, including their miraculous provision of manna and water.

Jethro, identified as "the priest of Midian," hears reports of God's mighty acts on behalf of Moses and the Israelites. This highlights how the fame of God's deliverance was spreading beyond the immediate Israelite camp, reaching even those who were not part of the covenant community.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Renown and Power: The central theme is the widespread acknowledgment of God's powerful intervention. Jethro's hearing of "all that God had done" underscores that the miracles of the Exodus were not hidden but were undeniable testimonies to the Lord's omnipotence. This news, spreading far and wide, underscores the universal impact of God's glory.
  • Divine Providence: This verse subtly points to God's guiding hand, not only over Israel but also in bringing Jethro to Moses at a crucial time. Jethro’s visit is not merely a family reunion but sets the stage for his crucial counsel to Moses later in the chapter regarding leadership and justice.
  • The Spreading Testimony: The fact that Jethro, a non-Israelite priest, heard of the events emphasizes the compelling nature of God's work. It demonstrates that the Lord's deeds are a powerful witness to all who hear of them, regardless of their background.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "the LORD" (capitalized) to translate the Hebrew name YHWH (Yahweh), God's personal covenant name, which emphasizes His active and faithful presence with His people. The phrase "all that God had done" (Hebrew: kol asher asah Elohim) uses Elohim, the general term for God, signifying His universal power and authority. The distinction between YHWH and Elohim here subtly reinforces that Jethro, while not fully understanding the covenant relationship implied by YHWH, nevertheless recognized the extraordinary power of the divine being who acted on Israel's behalf.

Significance and Practical Application

Exodus 18:1 serves as a powerful reminder that God's actions speak volumes. The testimony of His faithfulness and power can reach and impact people from diverse backgrounds. For believers today, this verse encourages us to:

  • Share God's Deeds: Just as the news of God's work reached Jethro, our testimonies of God's faithfulness in our lives can be a powerful witness to others, drawing them to acknowledge His presence and power.
  • Recognize God's Universal Sovereignty: Even those outside a direct covenant relationship can perceive and respond to God's mighty acts. This underscores His rule over all creation and His ability to work through various individuals.
  • Prepare for Unexpected Blessings: Jethro's arrival, prompted by news of God's work, leads to valuable wisdom and support for Moses (as seen in Exodus 18:13-26). This highlights how God can bring help and insight from surprising sources when His people are in need.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 2:16 (5 votes)

    ¶ Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew [water], and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

  • Exodus 3:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, [even] to Horeb.

  • Psalms 77:14 (5 votes)

    Thou [art] the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

  • Psalms 77:15 (5 votes)

    Thou hast with [thine] arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

  • Psalms 105:43 (3 votes)

    And he brought forth his people with joy, [and] his chosen with gladness:

  • Isaiah 63:11 (3 votes)

    Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, [and] his people, [saying], Where [is] he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where [is] he that put his holy Spirit within him?

  • Isaiah 63:13 (3 votes)

    That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, [that] they should not stumble?