Exodus 18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 18

This chapter is concerning Moses himself, and the affairs of his own family. I. Jethro his father-in-law brings to him his wife and children, Exod. 18:1-6. II. Moses entertains his father-in-law with great respect (Exod. 18:7), with good discourse (Exod. 18:8-11), with a sacrifice and a feast, Exod. 18:12. III. Jethro advises him about the management of his business as a judge in Israel, to take inferior judges in to his assistance (Exod. 18:13-23), and Moses, after some time, takes his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 18:1-6

This incident may very well be allowed to have happened as it is placed here, before the giving of the law, and not, as some place it, in connection with what is recorded, Num. 10:11, 29 Sacrifices were offered before; in these mentioned here (Exod. 18:12) it is observable that Jethro is said to take them, not Aaron. And as to Jethro's advising Moses to constitute judges under him, though it is intimate (Exod. 18:13) that the occasion of his giving that advice was on the morrow, yet it does... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 18:7-12

Observe here, I. The kind greeting that took place between Moses and his father-in-law, Exod. 18:7. Though Moses was a prophet of the Lord, a great prophet, and king in Jeshurun, yet he showed a very humble respect to his father-in-law. However God in his providence is pleased to advance us, we must make conscience of giving honour to whom honour is due, and never look with disdain upon our poor relations. Those that stand high in the favour of God are not thereby discharged from the duty they... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 18:13-27

Here is, I. The great zeal and industry of Moses as a magistrate. 1. Having been employed to redeem Israel out of the house of bondage, herein he is a further type of Christ, that he is employed as a lawgiver and a judge among them. (1.) He was to answer enquiries, to acquaint them with the will of God in doubtful cases, and to explain the laws of God that were already given them, concerning the sabbath, the man, etc., beside the laws of nature, relating both to piety and equity, Exod. 18:15.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 18 This chapter gives an account of Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, with Zipporah his daughter, the wife of Moses, and her two sons, meeting him in the wilderness, who was kindly received by him, Exodus 18:1 and on Moses' relating the great things God had done for Israel, Jethro expressed his joy on that account, gave praise to God, offered sacrifice, and kept a feast with the elders of Israel, Exodus 18:8 , and observing the constant and fatiguing business Moses... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:1

When Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses's father-in-law ,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan call him the prince of Midian, and so the word F5 כהז "praeses", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. is rendered in some versions; whose daughter Moses had married, and so was his father-in-law, of which see more in Exodus 2:16 . heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people ; the miracles he had wrought for them in Egypt, the dividing of the Red sea to make a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:2

Then Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses's wife ,.... When he had heard of the above things, he determined to pay Moses a visit, and congratulate him on that account; and he took his daughter, the wife of Moses, along with him, to deliver her to her husband, to share with him in his cares and troubles; as to partake with him of his honours and dignity, so to bear part with him in his burdens, so far as she was capable of: after he had sent her back : upon his call and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:3

And her two sons ,.... Those also Jethro took along with him and his daughter: of which the name of the one was Gershom ; which seems to be his firstborn, Exodus 2:22 , his name signifies a desolate stranger, as some, or, "there I was a stranger": the reason of which name follows agreeably thereunto: for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land ; meaning, not the land of Egypt, where he was born, and had lived forty years; but in the land of Midian, where he was when this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:4

And the name of the other was Eliezer ,.... Who seems to be his second son, and was that which was circumcised by Zipporah at the inn, and about which there was such a stir, Exodus 4:24 , and signifies "my God is help", or, his helper: for the God of my father, said he , was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh ; who, on hearing that Moses had killed an Egyptian, was wroth with him, and sought to slay him; and perhaps drew his sword for that purpose, but was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:5

And Jethro, Moses's father in law ,.... This is the third time he is so called in the chapter already, and many more times besides after in it; the reason of which seems to be, either to distinguish him from another of the same name, or to do him honour, that he should be in such a relation to so great and distinguished a man as Moses now was: came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness ; not with his own sons and wife, but with the sons and wife of Moses; Zipporah and... read more

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