Exodus 18:1

“When Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses’s father-in-law, etc.] The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan call him the prince of Midian, and so the word f560 is rendered in some versions; whose daughter Moses had married, and so was his father-in-law, of which see more in (<020216>Exodus 2:16-21). heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people; the miracles he had wrought for them in Egypt, the dividing of the Red sea to make a way for them, the destruction of the Egyptians, providing them with bread and water in such a miraculous manner in the wilderness, and giving them victory over Amalek, and appearing always at the head of them in a pillar of cloud and fire: [and] that the…”

“VISIT OF JETHRO. (Exo. 18:1-27) Jethro . . . came . . . unto Moses, &c.--It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Israelites were "encamped at the mount of God." And yet they did not reach it till the third month after their departure from Egypt (Exo 19:1-2; compare Deu 1:6, Deu 1:9-15).”

“Jethro was, in all probability, the “brother-in-law” of Moses Exodus 3:1. On the parting from Zipporah, see Exodus 4:26. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Jethro to congratulate the happiness of Israel, and particularly the honour of Moses his son - in - law; comes to rejoice with them, as one that had a true respect both for them and for their God. And also to bring Moses's wife and children to him. It seems he had sent them back, probably from the inn where his wife's lothness to have her son circumcised had like to have cost him his life, Exo 4:25. Exodus 18:3”

“18:1-12 Moses had apparently sent his wife and children back from Egypt at some point to stay with his father-in-law. In the intense confrontation with Pharaoh, Moses might have been afraid for their lives. Jethro now came to meet Moses and the Israelites, bringing Moses’ family with him (18:2-6). In the context of the visit, Moses gave him a report, and Jethro was brought to faith through the testimony of the Lord’s work.”

“Jethro: Exo 2:16, Exo 2:21, Exo 3:1, Exo 4:18; Num 10:29; Jdg 4:11 heard: Psa 34:2, Psa 44:1, Psa 77:14, Psa 77:15, Psa 78:4, Psa 105:5, Psa 105:43, Psa 106:2, Psa 106:8; Jer 33:9; Zac 8:23; Gal 1:23, Gal 1:24 God: Act 7:35, Act 7:36, Act 14:27, Act 15:12, Act 21:19, Act 21:20; Rom 15:18 done: Exod. 7:1-15:27; Jos 2:10, Jos 9:9; Neh 9:10, Neh 9:11; Psa 77:14, Psa 77:15, Psa 78:50-53; Psa 105:36-41, Psa 106:8-11, Psa 136:10-16; Isa 63:11-13 Exodus 18:2”

“The Amalekites had met Israel with hostility, as the prototype of the heathen who would strive against the people and kingdom of God. But Jethro, the Midianitish priest, appeared immediately after in the camp of Israel, not only as Moses' father-in-law, to bring back his wife and children, but also with a joyful acknowledgement of all that Jehovah had done to the Israelites in delivering them from Egypt, to offer burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, and to celebrate a sacrificial meal with Moses, Aaron, and all the elders of Israel; so that in the person of Jethro the first-fruits of the heathen, who would hereafter seek the living God, entered into religious fellowship with the people of…”