Exodus 3:1
New International Version
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

New Living Translation
One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God.

English Standard Version
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Berean Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

King James Bible
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

New King James Version
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

New American Standard Bible
Now Moses was pasturing the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

NASB 1995
Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

NASB 1977
Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Amplified Bible
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro (Reuel) his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God.

Christian Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

American Standard Version
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb.

Contemporary English Version
One day, Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai, the holy mountain.

English Revised Version
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses was taking care of the sheep of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. As he led the sheep to the far side of the desert, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Good News Translation
One day while Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, he led the flock across the desert and came to Sinai, the holy mountain.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, Moses continued tending the sheep that belonged to his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the sheep to the western desert and came to Horeb, God's mountain, where

Majority Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

NET Bible
Now Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, 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.

New Heart English Bible
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God's mountain, to Horeb.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

World English Bible
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God’s mountain, to Horeb.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses has been feeding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, priest of Midian, and he leads the flock behind the wilderness, and comes to the mountain of God, to Horeb;

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses hath been feeding the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, priest of Midian, and he leadeth the flock behind the wilderness, and cometh in unto the mount of God, to Horeb;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses was feeding the sheep of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he will lead the sheep behind the desert, and he will come to the mountain of God, to Horeb.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Moses fed the sheep of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Madian: and he drove the flock to the inner parts of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, Horeb.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Moses was pasturing the sheep of his father-in-law Jethro, a priest of Midian. And when he had driven the flock into the interior of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, Horeb.

New American Bible
Meanwhile Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the flock beyond the wilderness, he came to the mountain of God, Horeb.

New Revised Standard Version
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW Moses was feeding the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the desert and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe was feeding the flock of Yatherwan his father in Law, Priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the wilderness and came to the mountain of God at Khurib.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the farthest end of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses was feeding the flock of Jothor his father-in-law, the priest of Madiam; and he brought the sheep nigh to the wilderness, and came to the mount of Choreb.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses at the Burning Bush
1Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed.…

Cross References
Acts 7:30-34
After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. / When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight. As he approached to look more closely, the voice of the Lord came to him: / ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. ...

Acts 7:22-29
So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. / When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. / And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him. ...

Hebrews 11:24-27
By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. ...

Acts 7:35-36
This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. / He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.

Acts 7:20-21
At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house. / When he was set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

John 10:11-14
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...

John 10:27-30
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. / I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ...

Matthew 17:1-3
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Luke 20:37-38
Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ / He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”

Mark 12:26-27
But concerning the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the Book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? / He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”

John 8:58
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Deuteronomy 33:16
with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, and with the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph and crown the brow of the prince of his brothers.

Psalm 77:20
You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.


Treasury of Scripture

Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

A.

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: …

Amos 1:1
The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Amos 7:14,15
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: …

his father.

Exodus 2:16,21
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 18:1-6
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; …

Numbers 10:29
And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.

the mountain.

Exodus 3:5
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Exodus 18:5
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:

Exodus 19:3,11
And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; …

Horeb.

Exodus 17:6
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 1:6
The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:

Deuteronomy 4:10
Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

Jump to Previous
Backside Desert End Far Farthest Father-In-Law Feeding Flock God's Horeb Jethro Keeping Kept Leadeth Led Midian Mid'ian Moses Mount Mountain Pasturing Priest Tended Waste West Wilderness
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Backside Desert End Far Farthest Father-In-Law Feeding Flock God's Horeb Jethro Keeping Kept Leadeth Led Midian Mid'ian Moses Mount Mountain Pasturing Priest Tended Waste West Wilderness
Exodus 3
1. Moses keeps Jethro's flock.
2. God appears to him in a burning bush.
9. He sends him to deliver Israel.
13. The name of God.
15. His message to Israel, and Pharaoh, whose opposition is foretold.
20. He is assured of Israel's deliverance.














Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding
The Hebrew word for "shepherding" is "ra'ah," which means to tend, pasture, or graze. This word not only describes the physical act of caring for sheep but also carries a deeper spiritual connotation of leadership and guidance. Moses, once a prince of Egypt, is now humbly tending sheep, a role that prepares him for shepherding God's people. This transition from royalty to shepherd signifies a period of preparation and humility, essential for his future leadership.

the flock of his father-in-law Jethro
Jethro, also known as Reuel, is identified as Moses' father-in-law and a priest of Midian. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah, indicating a shared heritage with the Israelites. This connection highlights the providential relationships God orchestrates in Moses' life. The act of shepherding Jethro's flock symbolizes Moses' integration into a new family and culture, which further shapes his character and understanding of leadership.

the priest of Midian
Jethro's role as a priest suggests a spiritual dimension to his character and influence on Moses. The Midianites, though not Israelites, had a form of worship and recognition of the divine. This context provides Moses with a broader understanding of God's work beyond the confines of Israel, preparing him for his mission to lead a diverse group of people.

He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness
The "wilderness" in Hebrew is "midbar," often associated with desolation and solitude but also a place of divine encounter and revelation. Moses' journey to the far side of the wilderness signifies a movement away from the familiar into a place where God can speak to him without distraction. This setting underscores the theme of isolation as a precursor to divine revelation, a pattern seen throughout Scripture.

and came to Horeb, the mountain of God
Horeb, also known as Sinai, is a significant location in biblical history, often referred to as the "mountain of God." This designation indicates its importance as a place where God reveals Himself to His people. The mountain becomes a sacred space where Moses will later receive the Ten Commandments. The mention of Horeb here foreshadows the profound encounters Moses will have with God, marking it as a pivotal place of covenant and divine instruction.

III.

(1) Moses kept the flock.--The natural occupation of one who had thrown in his lot with the Midianites.

Jethro, his father-in-law.--Rather, his relation by marriage. The word is one of very wide use, corresponding with the Latin affinis. It is even applied to a husband, as in Exodus 4:25. The supposition that it means "father-in-law" has led to the identification of Jethro with Reuel, which is very unlikely. He was more probably Reuel's son, and Moses's brother-in-law. His father having died, he had succeeded to his father's position, and was at once priest and sheikh of the tribe.

To the backside of the desert.--Heb., behind the desert--i.e., to the fertile tract which lay behind the sandy plain stretching from the Sinaitic range to the shore of the Elanitic gulf.

The mountain of God--i.e., Sinai. See Exodus 18:5; Exodus 19:2-23, &c.

Even Horeb.--Rather, towards Horeb, or Horeb way. Horeb seems to have been the name of the entire mountain region; Sinai of the group or mass known now as Jebel Musa. . . .

Verse 1. - Moses kept the flock. The Hebrew expresses that this was his regular occupation. Understand by "flock" either sheep or goats, or the two intermixed. Both anciently and at the present day the Sinaitic pastures support these animals, and not horned cattle. Of Jethro, his father-in-law. The word translated "father-in-law" is of much wider application, being used of almost any relation by marriage. Zipporah uses it of Moses in Exodus 4:25, 26; in Genesis 19:12, 14, it is applied to Lot's "sons-in-law;" in other places it is used of "brothers-in-law." Its application to Jethro does not prove him to be the same person as Reuel, which the difference of name renders improbable. He was no doubt the head of the tribe at this period, having succeeded to that dignity, and to the priesthood, when Reuel died. He may have been either Reuel's son or his nephew. The backside of the desert, i.e. "behind" or "beyond the desert," across the strip of sandy plain which separates the coast of the Elanitic Gulf from the mountains, to the grassy regions beyond. He came to the mountain of God, even Horeb. Rather, "the mountain of God, Horeb-way," or "towards Horeb." By "the mountain of God" Sinai seems to be meant. It may be so named either by anticipation (as "the land of Rameses" in Genesis 47:11), or because there was already a sanctuary there to the true God, whom Reuel and Jethro worshipped (Exodus 18:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Meanwhile, Moses
וּמֹשֶׁ֗ה (ū·mō·šeh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

was
הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

shepherding
רֹעֶ֛ה (rō·‘eh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

the flock
צֹ֛אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

of his father-in-law
חֹתְנ֖וֹ (ḥō·ṯə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage

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

the priest
כֹּהֵ֣ן (kō·hên)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3548: Priest

of Midian.
מִדְיָ֑ן (miḏ·yān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4080: Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settled

He led
וַיִּנְהַ֤ג (way·yin·haḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5090: To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh

the flock
הַצֹּאן֙ (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

to the far side
אַחַ֣ר (’a·ḥar)
Adverb
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

of the wilderness
הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר (ham·miḏ·bār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

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

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

Horeb,
חֹרֵֽבָה׃ (ḥō·rê·ḇāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2722: Horeb -- 'waste', a mountain in Sinai

the mountain
הַ֥ר (har)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

of God.
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (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 3:1 Now Moses was keeping the flock (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 2:25
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