Exodus 2:21

“And Moses was content to dwell with the man, etc.] After he had been called and brought into the house, and had had some refreshment, and after some conversation had passed between them, and perhaps after some days’ stay in Reuel’s house; Reuel having observed his disposition and behaviour, and being delighted therewith, proposed to him to take up his residence with him, with which motion Moses was well pleased, and accepted of it: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter; to be his wife. It is not to be supposed that this was done directly; though both Philo f93 and Josephus f94 intimate as if it was done at first meeting together; but it is not likely that Reuel would dispose of his…”

“Moses tells us nothing of what he may have learned from his father-in-law, but he must have found in him a man conversant with the traditions of the family of Abraham; nor is there any improbability in the supposition that, as hereditary priest, Reuel may have possessed written documents concerning their common ancestors. return to 'Top of Page'”

“content: Exo 2:10; Gen 31:38-40; Phi 4:11, Phi 4:12; Ti1 6:6; Heb 11:25, Heb 13:5; Jam 1:10 Zipporah: Exo 4:20-25, Exo 18:2-6; Num 12:1 Exodus 2:22”

“Moses' Life in Midian. - As Reguel gave a hospitable welcome to Moses, in consequence of his daughters' report of the assistance that he had given them in watering their sheep; it pleased Moses (ויּואל) to dwell with him. The primary meaning of הואיל is voluit (vid., Ges. thes.). קראן for קראנה: like שׁמען in Gen 4:23. \- Although Moses received Reguel's daughter Zipporah as his wife, probably after a lengthened stay, his life in Midian was still a banishment and a school of bitter humiliation. He gave expression to this feeling at the birth of his first son in the name which he gave it, viz., Gershom (גּרשׁם, i.e., banishment, from גּרשׁ to drive or thrust away); "for," he said,…”