Exodus 18:9 - Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Generated Verse: Exodus 18:9

What does "Exodus 18:9" mean?


Exodus 18:9, "Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians," means that Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, was filled with joy upon hearing about all the miraculous things God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God) had done for the Israelites. Specifically, his joy stemmed from God's act of rescuing the Israelites from their oppressive slavery in Egypt.

Here's a breakdown of the key elements:

Jethro rejoiced: This indicates a feeling of great happiness and celebration. Jethro wasn't just mildly pleased; he was deeply moved. This is significant because Jethro was a priest of Midian and therefore not an Israelite. His rejoicing highlights the impact of God's actions even on those outside the Israelite community.

for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel: This refers to the series of events during the Exodus, including the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the defeat of the Egyptian army. "Goodness" emphasizes that these weren't just acts of power, but acts of benevolence and favor towards the Israelites.

in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians: This clarifies the reason for Jethro's joy. The core event was the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The Egyptians had been exploiting and mistreating the Israelites, so their freedom was a cause for great celebration. "Out of the hand of the Egyptians" highlights the direct and forceful nature of God's intervention.

In essence, the verse signifies:

Recognition of God's Power: Jethro recognized and acknowledged the power of Yahweh in delivering Israel.
Acknowledgement of God's Benevolence: He understood that God's actions were not arbitrary but were done for the good of Israel.
Impact on Outsiders: Jethro's joy demonstrates that God's actions had an impact beyond just the Israelites, influencing and inspiring people of other faiths and nationalities.
Celebration of Freedom: The verse underscores the importance of freedom from oppression and the joy associated with liberation.

The verse sets the stage for the rest of Exodus 18, where Jethro advises Moses on how to better manage the people and delegate responsibility, further indicating his respect for God and his desire for the well-being of the Israelites.

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