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;

EXODUS 18:1KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 18:1 (KJV)

What does Exodus 18:1 mean?

Exodus 18:1 describes how Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law and the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and for Israel—especially how the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt. This verse sets up Jethro’s visit by explaining what prompted his interest in Moses and the Israelites’ journey.

Jethro is introduced as both a family member and a religious leader from Midian, a region east of Egypt. The verse highlights that news of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt had spread beyond the Israelite community. This sets the stage for the following events, where Jethro will meet Moses and witness firsthand what God has done for Israel.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 18:1

  • יִתְרוֹ (Yitro, “Jethro”): Naming Jethro as both Moses’ father-in-law and a priest emphasizes his dual role as family and as a respected outsider.
  • כֹּהֵן (kohen, “priest”): This word shows Jethro’s religious authority in Midian, which matters because it frames his later advice to Moses as coming from someone with spiritual experience.
  • שָׁמַע (shama, “heard”): This word often means more than just hearing; it can imply understanding or responding, suggesting Jethro is moved to act by what he hears.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, “LORD”): The use of God’s personal name underlines that it was Israel’s unique God, not just any deity, who delivered them from Egypt.

Why Exodus 18:1 matters

  • The verse shows that God’s actions for Israel were significant enough to be heard about in distant lands, highlighting the impact of the Exodus beyond just the Israelites.
  • By introducing Jethro as a priest, the text prepares the reader for his later role as an advisor to Moses, showing that wisdom and recognition of God’s work can come from outside Israel.
  • The verse connects the story of Moses’ family with the larger narrative of Israel’s deliverance, reminding the reader that personal and national stories are intertwined in the Bible.

Where else these words appear

“Jethro” Hebrew H3503 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 3:1 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.
  • Exodus 18:2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,
  • Exodus 18:9 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.

“law” Hebrew H2859 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 34:9 And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.
  • Exodus 18:15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
  • Judges 19:4 And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

“Midian” Hebrew H4080 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 25:2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
  • Judges 6:3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
  • Judges 7:25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.