Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 2:16

"Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father`s flock." — Exodus 2:16 (ASV)

The priest of Midian. Reuel may have been both “priest” and “prince,” like Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18); but there is no reason to doubt that he is here called “priest.” In Exodus 18:12, Jethro is represented as exercising priestly functions. The Midianites, descendants of Abraham by Keturah, worshipped the true God and seem to have been at this time a religious people. The name Reuel, or Raguel, means “friend of God.” Jethro’s sacrifices were for God, and Aaron and the elders eat bread with him before God.

They came and drew water. Compare to Genesis 29:9. According to the customs of that region, there is nothing derogatory in the daughters of a chief acting in this way.