Bible Commentary

Exodus 18:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 18:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

JETHRO'S VISIT TO MOSES.

EXPOSITION

JETHRO'S VISIT TO MOSES. It has been noticed, in the comment on ; that shortly after the circumcision of Eliezer, Moses' second son, he sent back his wife, Zipporah, to her own kinsfolk, the Midianites, together with her two sons, Eliezer and Gershom. Reuel, Zipporah's father, was then dead (Exodus and had been succeeded in his priesthood and headship of the tribe by Jethro, probably his son, and therefore the brother-in-law, and not the father-in-law, of Moses. (The Hebrew word used, as already observed, has both meanings.) Jethro gave protection to his sister and her children until he heard of the passage of the Red Sea, when he set forth to meet and congratulate his kinsman, and to convey back to him his wife and his sons. The meeting took place "at the mount of God" (verse 5), or in the near vicinity of Sinai, probably in some part of the plain Er-Rahah, which extends for five miles, or more, to the north-west of the Sinaitic mountain-group.

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 18:1-6Jethro 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 while he ruled the church of God, he might set a good example in family…Matthew HenrycommentaryJethro's Visit to Moses. (b. c. 1491.)JETHRO'S VISIT TO MOSES. (B. C. 1491.) 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 with what is recorded, Numbers…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 18:1-12The blessedness of family reunions, when rightly ordered. The family is God's ordinance, and among the most sacred and blessed of his ordinances. All fatherhood is based upon his (Ephesians 3:15); and human family ties…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 18:1-12The Consolations of those who suffer loss for the Kingdom of God. I. THE REUNION OF THE SEPARATED. To Moses, who had to leave behind him wife and children because God's errand would brook no delay, these are now restore…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 18:1-12Jethro's visit-Moses in his domestic relations. In this visit of Jethro three persons are brought prominently before us—Moses, Jethro, his father-in-law, and Zipperah, his wife. Let us consider the details of the visit…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 18:1-5The claims of home. "And Jethro, Moses' kinsnian (not father-in-law) came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God" (Exodus 18:5). I. CIRCUMSTANCES MAY JUSTIFY THE…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 18:1-13The visit of Jethro. When Jethro "heard of all that God had done for Moses,"—a hint that the news of the great events of the past few weeks had spread far and wide through the Sinaitic peninsula,—and when he learned tha…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 18:1Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law. Rather, "Jethro, priest of Midian, Moses' brother-in-law." See the comment on Exodus 3:1; and note that the Seventy use the ambiguous word γαμβρός, while the Vulgate…Joseph S. Exell and contributors