Exodus 18:1

KJV1611 – Modern English

When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt,

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע יִתְר֨וֹ כֹהֵ֤ן מִדְיָן֙ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֵת֩ כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ לְמֹשֶׁ֔ה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַמּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־הוֹצִ֧יא יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

Transliteration

wə-yišmaʿ yitrô kōhēn midyān ḥōtēn mōšeh ʾēt all-which ʿāśāh ʾĕlōhîm to-mōšeh and-to-yiśrāʾēl ʿammô that-hôṣîʾ YHWH ʾet-yiśrāʾēl from-miṣrayim

Grammar Details

• *wə*-*yišmaʿ*: consecutive imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he heard
• *yitrô*: proper noun, masculine singular - Jethro
• *kōhēn*: noun, masculine singular construct - priest of
• *midyān*: proper noun - Midian
• *ḥōtēn*: noun, masculine singular construct - father-in-law of
• *mōšeh*: proper noun - Moses
• *ʾēt*: direct object marker
• *ʿāśāh*: perfect, 3rd masculine singular - had done
• *ʾĕlōhîm*: noun, masculine plural (with singular meaning) - God
• *ʿammô*: noun, masculine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his people
• *hôṣîʾ*: perfect, 3rd masculine singular, hiphil form - had brought out
• *YHWH*: proper noun - the LORD
• *miṣrayim*: proper noun - Egypt

Word Meanings

• *yitrô*: Jethro (meaning 'his excellence/abundance')
• *ḥōtēn*: father-in-law/relative by marriage
• *ʾĕlōhîm*: God/gods/divine beings/mighty ones
• *ʿammô*: his people/his nation/his folk

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses’ father-in-law, heard about everything that God had done for Moses and for His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Now Jethro,{H3503} the priest{H3548} of Midian,{H4080} Moses'{H4872} father-in-law,{H2859} heard{H8085} of all that God{H430} had done{H6213} for Moses,{H4872} and for Israel{H3478} his people,{H5971} how that Jehovah{H3068} had brought{H3318} Israel{H3478} out of Egypt.{H4714}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  When Jethro{H3503}, the priest{H3548} of Midian{H4080}, Moses{H4872}' father in law{H2859}{(H8802)}, heard{H8085}{(H8799)} of all that God{H430} had done{H6213}{(H8804)} for Moses{H4872}, and for Israel{H3478} his people{H5971}, and that the LORD{H3068} had brought{H3318}{(H8689)} Israel{H3478} out of Egypt{H4714};

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Iethro the prest of Madian Moses father in lawe herde of all that God had done vnto Moses and to Israel his people, how that the Lorde had broughte Israel out of Egipte.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  And whan Iethro ye prest in Madian Moses father in lawe herde of all yt God had done wt Moses & his people of Israel, how yt the LORDE had brought Israel out of Egipte,

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  When Iethro the Priest of Midian Moses father in lawe heard all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and howe the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt,

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Iethro ye priest of Madian Moyses father in lawe, heard of all that god had donefor Moyses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, [and] that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  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 Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And Jethro priest of Midian, father-in-law of Moses, heareth all that God hath done for Moses, and for Israel his people, that Jehovah hath brought out Israel from Egypt,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Now news came to Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, of all God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, and how the Lord had taken Israel out of Egypt.

• World English Bible (2000)

  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 Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  The Advice of Jethro Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard about all that God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Referenced Verses

• Exod 2:16 : 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.
• Exod 3:1 : 1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, to Horeb.
• Ps 77:14-15 : 14 You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the people. 15 You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
• Ps 78:4 : 4 We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he has done.
• Ps 78:50-53 : 50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; 51 And struck all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the dwellings of Ham: 52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 And he led them on safely, so that they did not fear: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
• Ps 105:5 : 5 Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
• Ps 105:36-41 : 36 He struck also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. 37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. 38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. 39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. 40 The people asked, and he brought quail, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
• Ps 105:43 : 43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
• Ps 106:2 : 2 Who can declare the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can show forth all his praise?
• Ps 106:8-9 : 8 Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power known. 9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their enemies; there was not one of them left.
• Ps 136:10-16 : 10 To him who struck Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endures forever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endures forever: 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm: for his mercy endures forever. 13 To him who divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy endures forever: 14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endures forever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy endures forever. 16 To him who led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endures forever.
• Isa 63:11-13 : 11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who put his Holy Spirit within him? 12 Who led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? 13 Who led them through the deep, like a horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
• Jer 33:9 : 9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do for them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I provide to it.
• Zech 8:23 : 23 Thus says the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the garment of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
• Acts 7:35-36 : 35 This Moses, whom they refused, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge? the same God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He brought them out, after he showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.
• Acts 14:27 : 27 And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
• Acts 15:12 : 12 Then all the multitude kept silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring what miracles and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles by them.
• Acts 21:19-20 : 19 And when he had greeted them, he declared in detail what things God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe, and they are all zealous for the law:
• Rom 15:18 : 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in making the Gentiles obedient by word and deed,
• Gal 1:23-24 : 23 But they were only hearing, 'He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.' 24 And they glorified God because of me.
• Exod 4:18 : 18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, Let me go, I pray, and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
• Exod 7:1-9 : 1 And the LORD said to Moses, See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. 3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh shall not listen to you, so that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth my armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. 6 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so they did. 7 And Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 9 When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Show a miracle for you, then you shall say to Aaron, Take your rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. 10 And Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded, and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers, now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents, but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. 13 And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said. 14 And the LORD said to Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning; see, he goes out to the water; and you shall stand by the river's edge until he comes; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand.
• Num 10:29 : 29 And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, We are journeying to the place which the LORD said, I will give it to you: come with us, and we will do you good: for the LORD has spoken good concerning Israel.
• Josh 2:10 : 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt; and what you did unto the two kings of the Amorites, who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
• Josh 9:9 : 9 And they said to him, From a very far country your servants have come because of the name of the LORD your God: for we have heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt,
• Judg 4:11 : 11 Now Heber the Kenite, of the children of Hobab, the father-in-law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanaim, which is near Kedesh.
• Neh 9:10-11 : 10 You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants, and against all the people of his land. For You knew they acted proudly against them. So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day. 11 You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and You threw their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
• Ps 34:2 : 2 My soul shall boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear of it and be glad.
• Ps 44:1 : 1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work You did in their days, in the times of old.
• Exod 2:18 : 18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that you have come so soon today?
• Exod 2:21 : 21 And Moses was content to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah.