Exodus 18:8-10

8 Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians ¹for Israel's sake *, all the ²hardship that had befallen them on the journey, and how ³the LORD had delivered them.

9 Jethro rejoiced over all ⁴the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians.

10 So Jethro said, "⁵Blessed be the LORD who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:8-10 Meaning and Commentary

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, Ex 18:1-7 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, Ex 18:8-12, and observing the constant and fatiguing business Moses had on his hands from morning to evening in judging the people, Ex 18:13-18, he gave him advice to appoint persons under him to receive laws and ordinances from him, he should have from God, and, according to them, judge and govern the people under them, some being rulers of thousands, others of hundreds, others of fifties, and some of tens, Ex 18:19-23, which counsel was acceptable to Moses, and he took it, Ex 18:24-26 and the chapter is concluded with their friendly parting, Ex 18:27.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 4:23; Exodus 7:4, 5
• 2. Numbers 20:14; Nehemiah 9:32
• 3. Exodus 15:6, 16
• 4. Isaiah 63:7-14
• 5. Genesis 14:20; 2 Samuel 18:28; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalms 68:19, 20

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "in that He had delivered"
• [b]. Lit "him"