Albert Barnes Commentary Exodus 18
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 18
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 18
"Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses` father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt." — Exodus 18:1 (ASV)
Jethro was, in all probability, the “brother-in-law” of Moses (Exodus 3:1). On the parting from Zipporah, see (Exodus 4:26).
"And Jethro, Moses` father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the mount of God:" — Exodus 18:5 (ASV)
The wilderness - that is, according to the view which seems on the whole most probable, the plain near the northern summit of Horeb, the mountain of God. The valley which opens upon Er Rahah on the left of Horeh is called “Wady Shueib” by the Arabs, that is, the valley of Hobab.
"and he said unto Moses, I, thy father-in-law Jethro, am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her." — Exodus 18:6 (ASV)
And he said ... - Or according to the Greek Version, “And it was told to Moses, saying, Behold, your father-in-law Jether has come.”
"And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent." — Exodus 18:7 (ASV)
Asked each other of their welfare – Addressed each other with the customary salutation, “Peace be unto you.”
"Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods; yea, in the thing wherein they dealt proudly against them." — Exodus 18:11 (ASV)
Greater than all gods - See Exodus 15:11. The words simply indicate a conviction of the incomparable might and majesty of Yahweh.
For in ... above them - that is, the greatness of Yahweh was shown in those transactions in which the Egyptians had thought to deal haughtily and cruelly against the Israelites. Jethro refers especially to the destruction of the Egyptian host in the Red Sea.
Jump to: