Exodus 18:10 - Jethro said, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

Generated Verse: Exodus 18:10

What does "Exodus 18:10" mean?


Exodus 18:10 is a pivotal moment where Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, recognizes and praises God for his actions in delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:

"Jethro said, 'Blessed be Yahweh...'": This is a declaration of praise and gratitude to God, whose name is Yahweh (often translated as Lord). Jethro is acknowledging that the deliverance of the Israelites was an act of divine intervention. It's significant because Jethro was not an Israelite himself. He was a Midianite priest, yet he recognizes and blesses the God of Israel. This suggests that he sees the hand of God in the events and acknowledges God's power and sovereignty.

"...who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh...": This highlights the specific source of the Israelites' oppression and the magnitude of God's act. The "hand of the Egyptians" and "the hand of Pharaoh" refer to the Egyptians' cruel treatment and Pharaoh's tyrannical rule over the Israelites. God's deliverance meant freedom from both physical enslavement and political oppression.

"...who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.": This reinforces the previous point, emphasizing that the entire Israelite people were rescued from Egyptian bondage. It wasn't just a personal or small-scale rescue; it was a national liberation. The phrase "from under the hand of the Egyptians" emphasizes the weight of oppression from which they were freed.

In essence, the verse signifies:

Recognition of God's Power: Jethro, a non-Israelite, acknowledges the power and sovereignty of Yahweh.
Gratitude for Deliverance: Jethro expresses thanks for God's intervention in freeing the Israelites from slavery.
Acknowledgement of Oppression: The verse highlights the severity of the Israelites' suffering under Egyptian rule.
Praise for National Liberation: Jethro celebrates the fact that God delivered the entire nation of Israel.

The verse is important because it shows how God's actions can be recognized and praised even by those outside the covenant community. It also serves as a testament to the transformative power of God's deliverance.