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Text -- Exodus 18:1-3 (NET)

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Context
The Advice of Jethro
18:1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard about all that God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 18:2 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Moses’ wife Zipporah after he had sent her back, 18:3 and her two sons, one of whom was named Gershom (for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land”),
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Egypt descendants of Mizraim
 · Gershom the clan of Gershom/Gershon of the tribe of Levi
 · Israel a citizen of Israel.,a member of the nation of Israel
 · Jethro priest of Midian; father-in-law of Moses
 · Midian resident(s) of the region of Midian
 · Moses a son of Amram; the Levite who led Israel out of Egypt and gave them The Law of Moses,a Levite who led Israel out of Egypt and gave them the law
 · Zipporah wife of Moses


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Zipporah | ZIPPORAH, OR ZIPPORAH | WANDERINGS OF ISRAEL | SENT | PROSELYTE | PENTATEUCH, 2B | Moses | KENITES | JETHRO | ISRAEL, RELIGION OF, 1 | ISRAEL, HISTORY OF, 1 | Heathen | HOW | Gershom | EXODUS, THE BOOK OF, 2 | COURTS, JUDICIAL | BLINDNESS, JUDICIAL | ALIEN | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Exo 18:1 - -- Jethro to congratulate the happiness of Israel, and particularly the honour of Moses his son-in-law; comes to rejoice with them, as one that had a tru...

Jethro to congratulate the happiness of Israel, and particularly the honour of Moses his son-in-law; comes to rejoice with them, as one that had a true respect both for them and for their God. And also to bring Moses's wife and children to him. It seems he had sent them back, probably from the inn where his wife's lothness to have her son circumcised had like to have cost him his life, Exo 4:25.

Wesley: Exo 18:3 - -- A stranger, designing thereby not only a memorial of his own condition, but a memorandum to this son of his, for we are all strangers upon earth.

A stranger, designing thereby not only a memorial of his own condition, but a memorandum to this son of his, for we are all strangers upon earth.

JFB: Exo 18:1-5 - -- It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Isr...

It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Israelites were "encamped at the mount of God." And yet they did not reach it till the third month after their departure from Egypt (Exo 19:1-2; compare Deu 1:6, Deu 1:9-15).

Clarke: Exo 18:1 - -- When Jethro, the priest of Midian, etc. - Concerning this person and his several names, See Clarke’ s note on Exo 2:15, See Clarke’ s note...

When Jethro, the priest of Midian, etc. - Concerning this person and his several names, See Clarke’ s note on Exo 2:15, See Clarke’ s note on Exo 2:16, See Clarke’ s note on Exo 2:18, See Clarke’ s note on Exo 3:1, See Clarke’ s note on Exo 4:20, See Clarke’ s note on Exo 4:24. Jethro was probably the son of Reuel, the father-in-law of Moses, and consequently the brother-in-law of Moses; for the word חתן chothen , which we translate father-in-law, in this chapter means simply a relative by marriage. See Clarke’ s note on Exo 3:1.

Clarke: Exo 18:2 - -- After he had sent her back - Why Zipporah and her two sons returned to Midian, is not certainly known. From the transaction recorded Exo 4:20, Exo 4...

After he had sent her back - Why Zipporah and her two sons returned to Midian, is not certainly known. From the transaction recorded Exo 4:20, Exo 4:24, it seems as if she had been alarmed at the danger to which the life of one of her sons had been exposed, and fearing worse evils, left her husband and returned to her father. It is however possible that Moses, foreseeing the troubles to which his wife and children were likely to be exposed had he taken them down to Egypt, sent them back to his father-in-law till it should please God to deliver his people

Jethro, now finding that God had delivered them, and totally discomfited the Egyptians, their enemies, thought it proper to bring Zipporah and her sons to Moses, while he was in the vicinity of Horeb.

Clarke: Exo 18:3 - -- The name of the one was Gershom - See Clarke’ s note on Exo 2:22.

The name of the one was Gershom - See Clarke’ s note on Exo 2:22.

Calvin: Exo 18:1 - -- 1.When Jethro, the priest of Midian This chapter consists of two parts. First of all, the arrival of Jethro in the camp is related, and his congratul...

1.When Jethro, the priest of Midian This chapter consists of two parts. First of all, the arrival of Jethro in the camp is related, and his congratulation of Moses on account of the prosperity of his enterprise, together with the praise and sacrifice rendered to God. Secondly, his proposed form of government for the people is set forth, in consequence of which judges and rulers were chosen, lest Moses should sink under his heavy task. The greater number of commentators think that Zipporah, having been enraged on account of her son’s circumcision, had turned back on their journey, and gone to live with her father; but to me this does not seem probable. For Moses would never have allowed his sons to be deprived of the redemption of which he was the minister; nor would it have been consistent that they should afterwards be appointed priests, of whom God was not the Redeemer. Besides, if he had deposited his wife and children in safety, and had advanced alone to the contest, he would have been deservedly suspected of deceit, or of excessive cowardice. Wherefore I have no doubt but that he underwent, together with his family, that miserable yoke of bondage by which they were long oppressed, and by this proof evidenced his faithfulness, so that greater authority might attend his vocation. The statement, then, in the second verse, “after he had sent her back,” I apply to Moses, because he had sent back his wife from the wilderness to visit her father, either having yielded to the desire which was natural to her as a woman, or, induced by his own feelings of piety, he had wished to show respect in this way to an old man nearly connected with him. There is something forced and cold in the words, which some would supply, “after he had sent back gifts.” The text runs very well thus, After Moses had sent back his wife, she was brought again by his father-in-law, thus returning and repaying his kindness.

Calvin: Exo 18:3 - -- 3.And her two sons It was remarked in its proper place, how distinguished a proof not only of faith, but of magnanimity and firmness Moses had manife...

3.And her two sons It was remarked in its proper place, how distinguished a proof not only of faith, but of magnanimity and firmness Moses had manifested in giving these names to his sons. For we cannot doubt, but that he brought on himself the ill-will of his connections, as if he despised the country of his wife, by calling the one (Gershom) “a strange land;” and the name of his son continually cried out, that though he inhabited Midian, yet was he an alien in his heart, and though sojourning for a time, would afterwards seek another habitation. Whence also we may conjecture that he took them with him into Egypt, rather than banish from him these two pledges of his piety on account of the sudden anger and reproaches of his wife; since by their names he was daily reminded that God’s covenant was to be, preferred to all earthly advantages.

TSK: Exo 18:1 - -- Jethro : Exo 2:16, Exo 2:21, Exo 3:1, Exo 4:18; Num 10:29; Jdg 4:11 heard : Psa 34:2, Psa 44:1, Psa 77:14, Psa 77:15, Psa 78:4, Psa 105:5, Psa 105:43,...

TSK: Exo 18:2 - -- Zipporah : Exo 2:21, Exo 4:25, Exo 4:26

Zipporah : Exo 2:21, Exo 4:25, Exo 4:26

TSK: Exo 18:3 - -- two sons : Act 7:29 Gershom : i.e. A stranger there, Exo 2:22; Psa 39:12; Heb 11:13; 1Pe 2:11

two sons : Act 7:29

Gershom : i.e. A stranger there, Exo 2:22; Psa 39:12; Heb 11:13; 1Pe 2:11

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Exo 18:1 - -- Jethro was, in all probability, the "brother-in-law"of Moses Exo 3:1. On the parting from Zipporah, see Exo 4:26.

Jethro was, in all probability, the "brother-in-law"of Moses Exo 3:1. On the parting from Zipporah, see Exo 4:26.

Poole: Exo 18:2 - -- From the way to Egypt, upon the occasion mentioned Exo 4:24,25 , and because he found by experience that she was likely to hinder him from, or disco...

From the way to Egypt, upon the occasion mentioned Exo 4:24,25 , and because he found by experience that she was likely to hinder him from, or discourage him in, the discharge of his great and dangerous office, and to give an ill example to the Israelites.

Haydock: Exo 18:1 - -- Jethro. See chap. ii. 18. --- Priest. Hebrew Cohen means also a prince. Both offices were performed by the heads of families, in the law of na...

Jethro. See chap. ii. 18. ---

Priest. Hebrew Cohen means also a prince. Both offices were performed by the heads of families, in the law of nature. (Worthington) ---

It is supposed that this interview took place later, and should be placed [at?] Numbers x. 10. (Calmet)

Haydock: Exo 18:2 - -- Back, with her consent, when he was going to the court of Pharao. (Menochius) --- Since he had the vision of God, St. Epiphanius says, he lived in ...

Back, with her consent, when he was going to the court of Pharao. (Menochius) ---

Since he had the vision of God, St. Epiphanius says, he lived in continence with her. (Hœr. 78.)

Gill: Exo 18:1 - -- When Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses's father-in-law,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan call him the prince of Midian, and so the word e is r...

When Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses's father-in-law,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan call him the prince of Midian, and so the word e is rendered in some versions; whose daughter Moses had married, and so was his father-in-law, of which see more in Exo 2:16.

heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people; the miracles he had wrought for them in Egypt, the dividing of the Red sea to make a way for them, the destruction of the Egyptians, providing them with bread and water in such a miraculous manner in the wilderness, and giving them victory over Amalek, and appearing always at the head of them in a pillar of cloud and fire:

and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt: which was the greatest blessing of all, and for the sake of which so many wonderful things had been done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. And now Midian being near to Egypt, it is not to be wondered at that Jethro should hear of these things, the fame of which went through all the countries round about, see Exo 15:14, though it is not improbable that Moses might send messengers to Midian to acquaint his father-in-law, his wife, and sons, of what the Lord had done for him, and by him.

Gill: Exo 18:2 - -- Then Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses's wife,.... When he had heard of the above things, he determined to pay Moses a visit, and co...

Then Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses's wife,.... When he had heard of the above things, he determined to pay Moses a visit, and congratulate him on that account; and he took his daughter, the wife of Moses, along with him, to deliver her to her husband, to share with him in his cares and troubles; as to partake with him of his honours and dignity, so to bear part with him in his burdens, so far as she was capable of:

after he had sent her back: upon his call and mission to Egypt, he took his wife and children with him; but upon an affair which occurred in the inn by the way, he sent them back again to his father-in-law, where they had remained ever since, see Exo 4:24. Jarchi says this was done at meeting with Aaron his brother, Exo 4:27, and relates a conversation between them upon it. As that Aaron should say to him, who are these? to which he replied, this is my wife, I married her in Midian, and these are my sons: he further said to him, and where art thou carrying them? he replied, to Egypt; says he, by reason of those who are before there, we are in straits, and thou wilt add unto them; upon which he said to his wife, go back to thy father's house, and she took her sons and went thither. Kimchi f observes, that some render the words "after her gifts"; whose sense, according to Aben Ezra, is, after she had sent gifts to her husband; but others more probably interpret it of gifts sent by him to her to engage his father-in-law to let her come to him, as well as to prevail upon her to come; perhaps it may be better rendered, "after her messenger"; that is, either after the messenger sent to her by Moses, to acquaint her and her father of what had been done for him, or after the messenger she sent to him, to let him know that she intended shortly to be with him; though perhaps, after all, nearer to our version and others, it may be rendered, "after her dismissions" g; the dismission or sending away of her and her sons, as before related; for this is by no means to be interpreted of a divorce of her; after which she was brought again to her husband; for there is no reason to believe that ever anything of that kind had passed, as some have thought h: the plain case seems to be this, that Moses finding his family would be exposed to danger, or would be too great an incumbrance upon him in the discharge of his great work he had to do in Egypt, sent them back to his father-in-law until a fit opportunity should offer of their coming to him, as now did.

Gill: Exo 18:3 - -- And her two sons,.... Those also Jethro took along with him and his daughter: of which the name of the one was Gershom; which seems to be his first...

And her two sons,.... Those also Jethro took along with him and his daughter:

of which the name of the one was Gershom; which seems to be his firstborn, Exo 2:22, his name signifies a desolate stranger, as some, or, "there I was a stranger": the reason of which name follows agreeably thereunto:

for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land; meaning, not the land of Egypt, where he was born, and had lived forty years; but in the land of Midian, where he was when this son of his was born; and which name was given him partly to keep up the memory of his flight to Midian, and partly to instruct his son, that Midian, though his native place, was not his proper country where he was to dwell, but another, even the land of Canaan.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Exo 18:1 This is an important report that Jethro has heard, for the claim of God that he brought Israel out of bondage in Egypt will be the foundation of the c...

NET Notes: Exo 18:3 Heb “he”; the referent (Moses) has been specified in the translation for clarity (also in the following verse).

Geneva Bible: Exo 18:2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had ( a ) sent her back, ( a ) It may seem that he sent her back for a time t...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Exo 18:1-27 - --1 Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses.7 Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord.9 Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers...

Maclaren: Exo 18:3-4 - --Exodus 18:3-4 In old times parents often used to give expression to their hopes or their emotions in the names of their children. Very clearly that wa...

MHCC: Exo 18:1-6 - --Jethro came to rejoice with Moses in the happiness of Israel, and to bring his wife and children to him. Moses must have his family with him, that whi...

Matthew Henry: Exo 18:1-6 - -- This incident may very well be allowed to have happened as it is placed here, before the giving of the law, and not, as some place it, in connection...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 18:1-5 - -- The Amalekites had met Israel with hostility, as the prototype of the heathen who would strive against the people and kingdom of God. But Jethro, th...

Constable: Exo 15:22--Lev 1:1 - --II. THE ADOPTION OF ISRAEL 15:22--40:38 The second major section of Exodus records the events associated with Go...

Constable: Exo 18:1-27 - --5. The friendliness of Jethro the Midianite ch. 18 As a Midianite, Jethro was a descendant of Abraham as was Amalek. Both were blood relatives of the ...

Guzik: Exo 18:1-27 - --Exodus 18 - Jethro's Counsel to Moses A. Jethro and Moses meet. 1. (1-6) Moses meets with Jethro, his father-in-law, in the desert of Midian. And ...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Exodus (Book Introduction) EXODUS, a "going forth," derives its name from its being occupied principally with a relation of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and the i...

JFB: Exodus (Outline) INCREASE OF THE ISRAELITES. (Exo. 1:1-22) BIRTH AND PRESERVATION OF MOSES. (Exo 2:1-10) there went a man of the house of Levi, &c. Amram was the hus...

TSK: Exodus (Book Introduction) The title of this Book is derived from the Septuagint; in which it is called ΕΞΟΔΟΣ , " Exodus;" or, as it is in the Codex Alexandrinus, Ε...

TSK: Exodus 18 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Exo 18:1, Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses; Exo 18:7, Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord; Exo 18:9, J...

Poole: Exodus (Book Introduction) SECOND BOOK OF MOSES CALLED EXODUS. THE ARGUMENT. AFTER the death of Joseph, who had sent for his father’ s house into Egypt, the children o...

Poole: Exodus 18 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 18 Jethro cometh to Moses with his wife and his children; their names, Exo 18:1-5 . Moses going to meet his father, does obeisance, Exo 18:...

MHCC: Exodus (Book Introduction) The Book of Exodus relates the forming of the children of Israel into a church and a nation. We have hitherto seen true religion shown in domestic lif...

MHCC: Exodus 18 (Chapter Introduction) (Exo 18:1-6) Jethro brings to Moses his wife and two sons. (Exo 18:7-12) Moses entertains Jethro. (Exo 18:13-27) Jethro's counsel to Moses.

Matthew Henry: Exodus (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Second Book of Moses, Called Exodus Moses (the servant of the Lord in writing for him as well as ...

Matthew Henry: Exodus 18 (Chapter Introduction) This chapter is concerning Moses himself, and the affairs of his own family. I. Jethro his father-in-law brings to him his wife and children (Exo ...

Constable: Exodus (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The Hebrew title of this book (we'elleh shemot) originated from the...

Constable: Exodus (Outline) Outline I. The liberation of Israel 1:1-15:21 A. God's preparation of Israel and Moses chs. ...

Constable: Exodus Exodus Bibliography Adams, Dwayne H. "The Building Program that Works (Exodus 25:4--36:7 [31:1-11])." Exegesis ...

Haydock: Exodus (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF EXODUS. INTRODUCTION. The second Book of Moses is called Exodus from the Greek word Exodos, which signifies going out; becaus...

Gill: Exodus (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS This book is called by the Jews Veelleh Shemoth, from the first words with which it begins, and sometimes Sepher Shemoth, an...

Gill: Exodus 18 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 18 This chapter gives an account of Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, with Zipporah his daughter, the wife of Moses, and her tw...

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