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Exodus 18:7

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¶ And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of [their] welfare; and they came into the tent.

And Moses {H4872} went out {H3318} to meet {H7125} his father in law {H2859}, and did obeisance {H7812}, and kissed {H5401} him; and they asked {H7592} each {H376} other {H7453} of their welfare {H7965}; and they came {H935} into the tent {H168}.

Moshe went out to meet his father-in-law, prostrated himself and kissed him. Then, after inquiring of each other's welfare, they entered the tent.

So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent.

And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.

Commentary

Context

The Israelites have recently experienced the miraculous Exodus from Egypt and are journeying through the vast wilderness. Moses, as their divinely appointed leader, bears immense responsibility for guiding the nascent nation. This verse details the heartfelt reunion between Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro, who had brought Moses' wife Zipporah and his two sons to meet him. This significant meeting occurs at the "mount of God" (Exodus 18:5), likely Mount Sinai, where the Law would soon be given. Jethro, a priest of Midian, plays a crucial advisory role in the subsequent verses, offering wise counsel to Moses regarding the burden of leadership.

Key Themes

  • Respect and Honor: Moses, despite his elevated position as God's chosen leader and the one who delivered Israel from slavery, demonstrates profound humility and respect towards Jethro, his elder and father-in-law. His actions—going out to meet him, doing obeisance (bowing down), and kissing him—reflect the high regard for elders and family within ancient Near Eastern cultures, and a deep personal affection. This act of honoring an elder resonates with the later command to honor one's father and mother.
  • Family Reunion and Affection: The scene is marked by warmth and genuine human connection. After a period of separation, the family is reunited, highlighting the enduring importance of familial bonds even amidst monumental divine work and national formation.
  • Mutual Concern and Hospitality: The phrase "they asked each other of their welfare" indicates a sincere interest in each other's state and journey. Their subsequent entry "into the tent" signifies a welcoming and hospitable environment, setting the stage for deeper conversation and fellowship, which is a recurring theme in biblical hospitality.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "did obeisance" comes from the Hebrew word shachah (שָׁחָה), which means to bow down, prostrate oneself, or do homage. It's an act of profound respect and reverence, often used in worship but also in showing deference to superiors or elders, as seen here.
  • "Welfare" is a translation of the rich Hebrew word shalom (שָׁלוֹם). While commonly translated as "peace," shalom encompasses much more, including completeness, well-being, prosperity, safety, and harmony. Their inquiry was not just about physical health but about their overall state of being and circumstances. This deep inquiry reflects a genuine care for each other's holistic well-being, a concept central to the biblical understanding of God's desire for His people's flourishing.

Practical Application

Exodus 18:7 offers timeless lessons for us today, demonstrating virtues that transcend cultural boundaries:

  • Honoring Elders and Family: Regardless of our status or achievements, showing respect and deference to those who are older or in positions of authority (especially family) is a fundamental virtue. This verse exemplifies genuine respect in action.
  • Prioritizing Relationships: Even when burdened with great responsibilities, Moses took time to genuinely connect with his family, highlighting that personal relationships are foundational and should not be neglected.
  • Genuine Concern for Others: Taking the time to truly inquire about another's "welfare" and listen to their response fosters deeper connections and reflects Christian love, as seen in Philippians 2:4.
  • Hospitality: Opening one's home or space, even a tent in the wilderness, for fellowship and rest is a biblical practice that builds community and strengthens bonds.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Genesis 29:13 (5 votes)

    And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.

  • Genesis 19:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

  • Genesis 14:17 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that [were] with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which [is] the king's dale.

  • 1 Kings 2:19 (3 votes)

    Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.

  • 2 Samuel 11:7 (3 votes)

    And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded [of him] how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

  • Genesis 18:2 (3 votes)

    And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

  • Numbers 22:36 (2 votes)

    ¶ And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which [is] in the border of Arnon, which [is] in the utmost coast.