Exodus 18:1 - 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 Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Generated Verse: Exodus 18:1

What does "Exodus 18:1" mean?


This verse from Exodus 18:1 sets the stage for Jethro's visit to Moses in the wilderness. Let's break down what it means:

"Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law...": This introduces Jethro and establishes his relationship to Moses. Jethro is identified as a priest of Midian, a region east of Egypt. His role as a priest suggests he was a spiritual leader in his community. Being Moses' father-in-law, he had a familial connection to Moses.
"...heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people...": This highlights that news of the events surrounding the Exodus had reached Jethro in Midian. He had heard about the miracles and deliverance that had occurred.
"...how that Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt.": This specifies the core of what Jethro heard. He learned that Yahweh (the Hebrew name for God) was the one who had delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

In summary, this verse means:

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law and a priest in Midian, received news about the miraculous events surrounding the Exodus. Specifically, he heard that the Hebrew God, Yahweh, had freed the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

Significance of the verse:

Establishes context: It provides background information about the characters and the situation.
Highlights the spread of the Exodus story: The fact that the news reached Midian shows the impact and reach of the Exodus events.
Sets up Jethro's visit: This verse prepares the reader for Jethro's arrival and his role in offering advice to Moses on how to govern the Israelites more effectively.
Hints at Jethro's potential openness to Yahweh: As a priest, Jethro likely had his own beliefs. Hearing about Yahweh's power could have piqued his interest and openness to learning more about the God of Israel.