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Jethro

Jethro, also known as Reuel, was Moses' father-in-law and a priest of Midian.

The name Jethro means “his excellence; his posterity”

MaleMidianiteMidianEgypt and Wilderness eraOld Testament2 books13 verses

Summary

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exodus 2:18; referred to as Jethro (יִתְרוֹ, יֶ֫תֶר), Jothor (LXX), or Reuel (רְעוּאֵל); father of Zipporah and Hobab.

Profile

Jethro, also known as Reuel (Exodus 2:16–18; Numbers 10:29), was the priest of Midian (Exodus 2:16). Moses saved Jethro’s seven daughters from rough shepherds at a well and helped them water their flocks. At home, they told their father about this surprising encounter with an Egyptian. Jethro was grateful and invited Moses for a meal. Moses decided to settle there. Later, Jethro gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.

While Moses lived in Midian with his father-in-law, he met God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1–2). Before going to Egypt, Moses asked Jethro for permission to leave. Later, he sent his family to stay with Jethro during the exodus from Egypt.

While Moses and the Israelites were in the wilderness, Jethro returned with the family of Moses. Jethro heard about Yahweh saving his people from Egypt and recognized him as greater than all other gods. He worshiped Yahweh with a burnt offering and sacrifices, aligning himself with Israel (Exodus 18:11). In response, Israel's leaders joined him for a sacrificial meal in God's presence (Exodus 18:12).

Jethro noticed Moses was overwhelmed with managing the many Israelites. He advised Moses on organizing the people better and resolving their disputes (Exodus 18:13–23). Moses followed this advice and chose capable men to help as leaders and judges (Exodus 18:24–27). Jethro returned to Midian and did not interact further with Israel, but his son (Numbers 10:29–33) and other descendants later settled with the Israelites (Judges 1:16; 4:11).

Passages for Further Study

Exodus 2:16–25; 3:1; 18:1–27; Numbers 10:29; Judges 1:16; 4:11

Glossary entries

Jethro Reuel Raguel

Family members

Children

Hobab Zipporah

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 2 verses that refer to Jethro without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Exodus 2:18רְעוּאֵל · Reuel
    When the daughters returned to their father Reuel, he asked them, “Why have you returned so early today?”
  2. Exodus 2:20Referred to, not named
    “So where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”
  3. Exodus 3:1יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    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.
  4. Exodus 4:18יֶ֫תֶר · Jether; יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    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.
  5. Exodus 18:1יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    Now Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.
  6. Exodus 18:2יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her,
  7. Exodus 18:5יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    Moses’ 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.
  8. Exodus 18:6יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”
  9. Exodus 18:9יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    And Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had rescued from the hand of the Egyptians.
  10. Exodus 18:10יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    Jethro declared, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians.
  11. Exodus 18:11Referred to, not named
    Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”
  12. Exodus 18:12יִתְרוֹ · Jethro; Ιωθώρ · Jothor
    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.
  13. Numbers 10:29רְעוּאֵל · Reuel
    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.”