Exodus 18:6
New International Version
Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

New Living Translation
Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.”

English Standard Version
And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,”

Berean Standard Bible
He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

King James Bible
And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

New King James Version
Now he had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

New American Standard Bible
And he sent word to Moses: “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

NASB 1995
He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

NASB 1977
And he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

Amplified Bible
He sent a message to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons [who are] with her.”

Christian Standard Bible
He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

American Standard Version
and he said unto Moses, I, thy father-in-law Jethro, am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

English Revised Version
and he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jethro had sent word to Moses, "I'm coming to [visit] you, [and I'm bringing] your wife and her two sons."

Good News Translation
He had sent word to Moses that they were coming,

International Standard Version
He told Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you along with your wife and her two sons."

Majority Standard Bible
He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

NET Bible
He said to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you, along with your wife and her two sons with her."

New Heart English Bible
And one said to Moses, "Look, Jethro, your father-in-law, has come to you, with your wife and her two sons with her."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to Moses, I thy father-in-law Jethro have come to thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

World English Bible
He said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you with your wife, and her two sons with her.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you, and your wife, and her two sons with her.”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith unto Moses, 'I, thy father-in-law, Jethro, am coming unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to Moses, I thy father-in-law, Jethro, came to thee, and thy wife and her two sons with her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he sent word to Moses, saying: I Jethro thy kinsman come to thee, and thy wife, and thy two sons with her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he sent word to Moses, saying: “I, Jethro, your kinsman, have come to you, with your wife, and your two sons with her.”

New American Bible
and he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you, along with your wife and her two sons.”

New Revised Standard Version
He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you, with your wife and her two sons.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses was told, Behold, your father-in-law Jethro has come to you with your wife and your two sons accompanying him,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was said to Moshe, “Behold, your Father in Law Yethrown has come to you, and your wife and both your sons with him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and he said unto Moses: 'I thy father-in-law Jethro am coming unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it was told Moses, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law Jothor is coming to thee, and thy wife and two sons with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Visit of Jethro
5Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, along with Moses’ wife and sons, came to him in the desert, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. 6He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.” 7So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent.…

Cross References
Exodus 4:18
Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied.

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. ...

Genesis 18:1-5
Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. / And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. / “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. ...

Genesis 24:67
And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

Deuteronomy 1:9-18
At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. / The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. ...

Acts 7:29
At this remark, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he lived as a foreigner and had two sons.

1 Samuel 9:6-10
“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.” / “If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.” ...

1 Kings 12:6-8
Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. / They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” / But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

2 Chronicles 10:6-8
Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. / They replied, “If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” / But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

Matthew 10:11-14
Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on. / As you enter the home, greet its occupants. / If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it, but if it is not, let your peace return to you. ...

Luke 10:5-7
Whatever house you enter, begin by saying, ‘Peace to this house.’ / If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. / Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

John 4:7-10
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” / (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) / “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) ...

Acts 10:24-27
The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. / 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.” ...

Romans 15:7
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God.

1 Corinthians 16:10-11
If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. / No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to Moses, I your father in law Jethro am come to you, and your wife, and her two sons with her.

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Father-In-Law Jethro Law Moses Wife Word
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














He sent word to Moses
This phrase indicates a formal communication, emphasizing the importance of the message. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sending word was a common practice for conveying significant news or requests. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) often implies a deliberate and purposeful action. This highlights Jethro's respect and recognition of Moses' leadership and the need for proper protocol in approaching him.

I, your father-in-law Jethro
The identification of Jethro as Moses' father-in-law is significant. It underscores the familial bond and the respect inherent in their relationship. Jethro, a priest of Midian, is a figure of wisdom and authority. His name, יִתְרוֹ (Yitro), can mean "his abundance" or "excellence," reflecting his esteemed status. This introduction sets the stage for the wise counsel Jethro will later provide to Moses.

am coming to you
This phrase conveys Jethro's intention and action to reunite with Moses. The Hebrew verb בּוֹא (bo) for "coming" suggests movement towards a destination with purpose. Jethro's journey signifies a proactive step to reconnect with Moses, bringing familial and spiritual support. It also foreshadows the pivotal advice he will offer, which will impact the governance of the Israelites.

with your wife
The mention of Moses' wife, Zipporah, highlights the restoration of family unity. Zipporah had previously returned to her father's house, as implied in earlier chapters. Her return signifies reconciliation and the importance of family in God's plan. This reunion is a reminder of the personal sacrifices Moses made in his divine mission and the restoration of his household.

and her two sons
The inclusion of Moses' sons, Gershom and Eliezer, emphasizes the continuation of Moses' lineage and the fulfillment of God's promises. Their presence is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving Moses' family amidst the challenges of leading Israel. The names of the sons, Gershom meaning "a stranger there" and Eliezer meaning "my God is help," reflect Moses' journey and reliance on God. This phrase underscores the importance of family legacy and divine providence in the narrative of Exodus.

Verse 6. - And he said. It is suspected that the true reading here is, "and they said," - i.e., some one said - "to Moses, behold thy father-in-law" (or "brother-in-law"), "Jethro, is come unto thee." So the LXX., and many moderns, as Kennicott, Geddes, Boothroyd, Canon Cook, and others. But the explanation, that Jethro, on arriving in the vicinity of Moses, sent a messenger to him, who spoke in his name (Rosenmuller, Patrick, Pool, Kalisch, Keil, etc.) is at any rate plausible, and removes all necessity of altering the text.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He sent word
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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

“I,
אֲנִ֛י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

your father-in-law
חֹתֶנְךָ֥ (ḥō·ṯen·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage

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

am coming
בָּ֣א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֵלֶ֑יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

you with your wife
וְאִ֨שְׁתְּךָ֔ (wə·’iš·tə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

and her
עִמָּֽהּ׃ (‘im·māh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

two
וּשְׁנֵ֥י (ū·šə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

sons.”
בָנֶ֖יהָ (ḇā·ne·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Exodus 18:6 He said to Moses I your father-in-law (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 18:5
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