Exodus 18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:26

And they judged the people at all seasons ,.... Any day in the week, or any time in the day, whenever there was any occasion for them, and cases were brought before them: the hard cases they brought unto Moses ; that is, the judges brought them to Moses when such came before them which were too hard for them, it was difficult to them to determine rightly about them, then they brought them to be heard and decided by him; for the judges, and not the people, best knew when a case was hard... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:27

And Moses let his father in law depart ,.... After he had been with him some time, and desired leave to go into his own country, which was granted; or he "dismissed" F25 וישלח "et dimisit", V. L. Tigurine version, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius, Piscator. him in an honourable way: and as he went out to meet him when he came, if he did not attend him, when he went, some way in person, yet sent a guard along with him, both for honour and for safety: and he went his way into his own... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18

Jethro, called the father-in-law of Moses, hearing of the deliverance which God had granted to Israel, Exodus 18:1 , took Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and brought them to Moses, when the Israelites were encamped near Horeb, Exodus 18:2-5 . He sends to Moses, announcing his arrival, Exodus 18:6 . Moses goes out to meet him, Exodus 18:7 , and gives him a history of God's dealings with the Israelites, Exodus 18:8 . Jethro greatly rejoices, and makes striking... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:1

When Jethro, the priest of Midian, etc. - Concerning this person and his several names, See Clarke's note on Exodus 2:15 , See Clarke's note on Exodus 2:16 , See Clarke's note on Exodus 2:18 , See Clarke's note on Exodus 3:1 , See Clarke's note on Exodus 4:20 , See Clarke's note on Exodus 4:24 . Jethro was probably the son of Reuel, the father-in-law of Moses, and consequently the brother-in-law of Moses; for the word חתן chothen , which we translate father-in-law, in this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:2

After he had sent her back - Why Zipporah and her two sons returned to Midian, is not certainly known. From the transaction recorded Exodus 4:20 , Exodus 4:24 , it seems as if she had been alarmed at the danger to which the life of one of her sons had been exposed, and fearing worse evils, left her husband and returned to her father. It is however possible that Moses, foreseeing the troubles to which his wife and children were likely to be exposed had he taken them down to Egypt, sent... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:3

The name of the one was Gershom - See Clarke's note on Exodus 2:22 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:5

Jethro - came with his sons - There are several reasons to induce us to believe that the fact related here is out of its due chronological order, and that Jethro did not come to Moses till the beginning of the second year of the exodus, (see Numbers 10:11 ;), some time after the tabernacle had been erected, and the Hebrew commonwealth established, both in things civil and ecclesiastical. This opinion is founded on the following reasons: - On this verse, where it is said that Jethro came... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:6

And he said unto Moses - That is, by a messenger; in consequence of which Moses went out to meet him, as is stated in the next verse, for an interview had not yet taken place. This is supported by reading הנה hinneh , behold, for אני ani , I, which is the reading of the Septuagint and Syriac, and several Samaritan MSS.; instead therefore of I, thy father, we should read, Behold thy father, etc. - Kennicott's Remarks. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:7

And did obeisance - וישתחו vaiyishtachu , he bowed himself down, (See Clarke's note on Genesis 17:3 , and See Clarke's note on Exodus 4:31 ;); this was the general token of respect. And kissed him; the token of friendship. And they asked each other of their welfare; literally, and they inquired, each man of his neighbor, concerning peace or prosperity; the proof of affectionate intercourse. These three things constitute good breeding and politeness, accompanied with sincerity. And... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:9

And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness - Every part of Jethro's conduct proves him to have been a religious man and a true believer. His thanksgiving to Jehovah ( Exodus 18:10 ;) is a striking proof of it; he first blesses God for the preservation of Moses, and next for the deliverance of the people from their bondage. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:27

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:9

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