Exodus 2:16,Exodus 2:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 2:16-22

Moses here gains a settlement in Midian, just as his father Jacob had gained one in Syria, Gen. 29:2 And both these instances should encourage us to trust Providence, and to follow it. Events that seem inconsiderable, and purely accidental, after wards appear to have been designed by the wisdom of God for very good purposes, and of great consequence to his people. A casual transient occurrence has sometimes occasioned the greatest and happiest turns of a man's life. Observe, I. Concerning the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:16

Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters ,.... Who being a descendant of Abraham might have retained the knowledge of the true God, and might be a priest of his, as Melchizedek was, or otherwise it may be thought improbable that Moses would have married his daughter, as he afterwards did; and so Aben Ezra says, he was a priest of God; though the word is sometimes used of a prince, ruler, and governor; and is so rendered here by the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; and Artapanus F18 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:16

The priest of Midian - Or prince, or both; for the original כהן cohen has both meanings. See it explained at large at Genesis 15:18 ; (note). The transaction here very nearly resembles that mentioned Genesis 29 (note) concerning Jacob and Rachel. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:16

Verse 16 16.Now the priest of Midian. The profane would attribute this meeting to good fortune, whereas God affords us in it a striking picture of his providence, in thus with an outstretched hand directing the steps of his servant. Those damsels were in the habit of coming daily to the well; and Moses sat down to ask for hospitality at the waterside, whither in a dry country the inhabitants were likely to flock in the evening. But it was by no means due to chance that he came so opportunely to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:15-23

The long exile.Moses took with him into Midian all the best elements of his character; he left some of the faulty ones behind. He may be assumed to have left much of his self-confidence, and to have been cured in part of his natural rashness. His after growth in meekness would almost imply that he had come to see the need of curbing his hot passions, and had, like David, purposed in his heart that he would not transgress ( Psalms 17:3 ; Psalms 32:1 ). But he carried with him all his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:16-22

EXPOSITION. LIFE OF MOSES IN MIDIAN Fugitives from Egypt generally took the northern route from Pelusium or Migdol to Gaza, and so to Syria, or the regions beyond. But in this quarter they were liable to be arrested and sent back to the Egyptian monarch. Rameses II : put a special clause to this effect into his treaty with the contemporary Hittite king. It was, perhaps, the fear of extradition which made Moses turn his steps southeastward, and proceed along the route, or at any... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 2:16

The Priest of Midian - Reuel Exodus 2:18. His name, and the detailed notices in Exodus 18:0, prove that he was a priest of the one true God who was known to the patriarchs especially under the name El. The great bulk of his tribe, certainly those who lived farther north and more closely in contact with the Hamites of Canaan, were already plunged in idolatry. The conduct of the shepherds Exodus 2:17 may indicate that his person and office were lightly regarded by the idolatrous tribes in his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:1-25

Preparation of Moses (2:1-25)Moses was the person God chose to save his people and lead them out of Egypt. He was born of godly Hebrew parents, who no doubt taught him that the true and living God was the only legitimate object of human worship, and this God had chosen Israel to be his people. At the same time Moses grew up in the Egyptian palace, where he was trained in the best learning and culture available at that time (2:1-10; see Acts 7:22; Hebrews 11:23).By the time he was forty years of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 2:16

priest : or chieftain exercising priestly functions, as Job and Melchizedec. Jethro (Exodus 3:1 ) is called Reuel (Exodus 2:18 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 2:16-22

"Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon today? And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and moreover he drew water for us, and watered the flock. And he said unto his daughters, Where... read more