Exodus 18:12 Then Moses' father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

◄ Exodus 18:12 ►

New International Version
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.

New Living Translation
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence.

English Standard Version
And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.

King James Bible
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

New King James Version
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

New American Standard Bible
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

NASB 1995
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

NASB 1977
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Amplified Bible
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and [other] sacrifices [to offer] to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’s father-in-law in God’s presence.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in God’s presence.

American Standard Version
And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

Contemporary English Version
Jethro offered sacrifices to God. Then Aaron and Israel's leaders came to eat with Jethro there at the place of worship.

English Revised Version
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the leaders of Israel came to eat the meal with Moses' father-in-law in God's presence.

Good News Translation
Then Jethro brought an offering to be burned whole and other sacrifices to be offered to God; and Aaron and all the leaders of Israel went with him to eat the sacred meal as an act of worship.

International Standard Version
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to dine with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Moses? father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses? father-in-law in the presence of God.

NET Bible
Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat food with the father-in-law of Moses before God.

New Heart English Bible
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all of the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses's father-in-law before God.

World English Bible
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Jethro, father-in-law of Moses, takes a burnt-offering and sacrifices [it] for God; and Aaron comes in, and all [the] elderly of Israel, to eat bread with the father-in-law of Moses, before God.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jethro, father-in-law of Moses, taketh a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God; and Aaron cometh in, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with the father-in-law of Moses, before God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, will take a burnt-offering and sacrifices to God: and Aaron will come, and all the old men of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
So Jethro the kinsman of Moses offered holocausts and sacrifices to God: and Aaron and all the ancients of Israel came, to eat bread with them before God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so Jethro, the kinsman of Moses, offered holocausts and sacrifices to God. And Aaron arrived with all the elders of Israel, in order to eat bread with him in the sight of God.

New American Bible
Then Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to share with Moses’ father-in-law in the meal before God.

New Revised Standard Version
And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, offered burnt offerings and sacrifices to the LORD; and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yethrown, the Father in Law of Moshe, offered burning peace offerings and sacrifices to LORD JEHOVAH, and Ahron and all Elders of the children of Israel came to eat bread with the Father in Law of Moshe before God.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God; and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jothor the father-in-law of Moses took whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for God, for Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread with the father-in-law of Moses before God.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Visit of Jethro
…11Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.” 12Then Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 14:18-20
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— / and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, / and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

Numbers 10:29-32
Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” / “I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.” / “Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. ...

Deuteronomy 12:7
There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

1 Samuel 9:12-13
“Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place. / As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”

1 Kings 8:63
And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:22
And Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the LORD. For seven days they ate their assigned portion, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

Psalm 50:14
Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

Psalm 116:17
I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Jeremiah 33:11
the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.

Acts 10:25-26
As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him. / But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

Acts 15:20
Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

1 Corinthians 10:18
Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

Treasury of Scripture

And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

took

Exodus 24:5
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

Genesis 4:4
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Genesis 8:20
And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Aaron

Exodus 24:11
And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

Leviticus 7:11-17
And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD…

Deuteronomy 12:7
And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

eat bread

Exodus 2:20
And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.

Genesis 43:25
And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

2 Samuel 9:7
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

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Exodus 18

1. Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses
7. Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord
9. Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice
13. He gives good counsel, which is accepted
27. Jethro departs

Berean Study Bible

Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law
Jethro, also known as Reuel, is a significant figure in the narrative of Exodus. As Moses' father-in-law, he represents a bridge between Moses' life in Midian and his mission to lead the Israelites. The Hebrew root for Jethro (יִתְרוֹ, Yitro) suggests abundance or excellence, which is fitting given his wise counsel to Moses. Historically, Jethro is a priest of Midian, indicating a position of spiritual and communal leadership. His relationship with Moses underscores the importance of familial and spiritual guidance in leadership.

brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God
The act of bringing a burnt offering (עֹלָה, olah) and sacrifices (זֶבַח, zevach) is deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition of worship and atonement. A burnt offering signifies complete surrender to God, as the offering is wholly consumed by fire. Sacrifices, on the other hand, often involve shared meals and symbolize fellowship and thanksgiving. Jethro's actions demonstrate his reverence for the God of Israel and his desire to honor Him, reflecting a universal recognition of God's sovereignty beyond the Israelite community.

and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel
Aaron, Moses' brother, serves as the high priest and a key leader among the Israelites. His presence, along with the elders, signifies communal unity and leadership. The elders (זְקֵנִים, zekenim) represent the wisdom and governance of the Israelite tribes. This gathering highlights the importance of collective leadership and the role of community in worship and decision-making, emphasizing that spiritual matters are not just personal but communal.

to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law
Eating bread together in ancient Near Eastern culture is a powerful symbol of fellowship and covenant. It signifies peace, trust, and mutual respect. The act of sharing a meal with Jethro, a non-Israelite, illustrates the breaking of cultural barriers and the inclusivity of God's covenant. This moment foreshadows the broader inclusion of Gentiles into the faith community, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

in the presence of God
The phrase "in the presence of God" (לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, lifnei ha'Elohim) indicates that this gathering and meal are not merely social but sacred. It underscores the belief that God is present in the midst of His people, especially during acts of worship and fellowship. This divine presence sanctifies the gathering, reminding believers that God is intimately involved in their communal and personal lives. It serves as an inspiration for Christians to seek God's presence in all aspects of life, recognizing His sovereignty and grace.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) Jethro . . . took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God.--Jethro had brought sacrifices with him, and now offered them in token of his thankfulness for God's mercies towards himself and towards his kinsman. He occupied a position similar to that of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18), holding a priesthood of the most primitive character, probably as patriarch of his tribe, its head by right of primogeniture. As Abraham acknowledged rightly the priesthood of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:19; Hebrews 7:2-9), so Moses and Aaron rightly acknowledged that of Jethro. They markedly indicated their acceptance of his priestly character by participation in the sacrificial meal, which, as a matter of course, followed his sacrifice. They "ate bread with Moses' father in law" (or rather, brother-in-law) "before God."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Jethro took a burnt offering. Or "brought a burnt offering;" as the same verb is rendered in Exodus 25:2. It is not distinctly related that he offered the victim; but as no other offerer is mentioned, and as he was a priest (Exodus 3:1; Exodus 18:1), we may assume that he did so. Moses, Aaron, and the elders, partook of the sacrificial meal, regarding the whole rite as one legitimately performed by a duly qualified person, and so as one in which they could properly participate. Jethro, like Melchisedek (Genesis 14:18), was recognised as a priest of the true God, though it would seem that the Midianites generally were, a generation later, idolaters (Numbers 25:18; Numbers 31:16). To eat bread... before God. This expression designates the feast upon a sacrifice, which was the universal custom of ancient nations, whether Egyptians, Assyrians, Phenicians, Persians, Greeks, or Romans. Except in the case of the "whole burnt offering" (ὁλοκαύτωμα), parts only of the animals were burnt, the greater portion of the meat being consumed, with bread, at a meal, by the offerer and his friends and relatives

CHAPTER 18:13-26

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then Moses’
מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

father-in-law
חֹתֵ֥ן (ḥō·ṯên)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage

Jethro
יִתְר֨וֹ (yiṯ·rōw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3503: Jethro -- Moses' father-in-law

brought
וַיִּקַּ֞ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a burnt offering
עֹלָ֥ה (‘ō·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

and sacrifices
וּזְבָחִ֖ים (ū·zə·ḇā·ḥîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

to God,
לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים (lê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֜ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

came
וַיָּבֹ֨א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

with all
וְכֹ֣ל ׀ (wə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the elders
זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

to eat
לֶאֱכָל־ (le·’ĕ·ḵāl-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 398: To eat

bread
לֶ֛חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Moses’
מֹשֶׁ֖ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

father-in-law
חֹתֵ֥ן (ḥō·ṯên)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage

in the presence
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of God.
הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

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OT Law: Exodus 18:12 Jethro Moses' father-in-law took a burnt offering (Exo. Ex)