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Exodus 18:7

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 18:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
Exodus 18:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4and the name of the other was Eliezer; for [he said], The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.
5And Jethro, Moses` father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the mount of God:
6and he said unto Moses, I, thy father-in-law Jethro, am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
7And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
8And Moses told his father-in-law all that Jehovah had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel`s sake, all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how Jehovah delivered them.
9And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Jehovah had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10And Jethro said, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
← Exodus 18:6Exodus 18:8 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Moses went out to meet his father in law, etc.] Out of the camp, at least out of his tent: the Targum of Jonathan says, from under the cloud of glory; how far he went is not certain, nor material to know: this was an instance of his great humility and modesty, and was doing Jethro a great deal of honour; that one who was in such great dignity, at the head of such a vast body of people, and superior to him both in natural and spiritual abilities, yet condescended to go forth in person to meet him, when he might have sent a guard of his men to escort him to his camp, which would have been honour sufficient; and it is not said he went out to meet his wife and children; for Aben Ezra says it…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, &c.--Their salutations would be marked by all the warm and social greetings of Oriental friends (see on Exo 4:27) --the one going out to "meet" the other, the "obeisance," the "kiss" on each side of the head, the silent entrance into the tent for consultation; and their conversation ran in the strain that might have been expected of two pious men, rehearsing and listening to a narrative of the wonderful works and providence of God.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Asked each other of their welfare - Addressed each other with the customary salutation, “Peace be unto you.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:7 bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare: These were all typical customs of greeting in that society.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“went: Gen 14:17, Gen 46:29; Num 22:36; Jdg 11:34; Kg1 2:19; Act 28:15 did obeisance: Gen 18:2, Gen 19:1, Gen 33:3-7 kissed: Gen 29:13, Gen 31:28, Gen 33:4, Gen 45:15; Psa 2:12; Luk 7:45; Act 20:37 welfare: Heb. peace, Gen 43:27; Sa2 11:7 Exodus 18:8”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification