Exodus 18:6
Exodus 18:6 in Multiple Translations
He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”
And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
and he said unto Moses, I, thy father-in-law Jethro, am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
And he said to Moses, I, your father-in-law, have come to you, with your wife and your two sons.
Moses was told beforehand, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to see you together with your wife and her two sons.”
And he said to Moses, I thy father in law Iethro am come to thee, and thy wife and her two sonnes with her.
and he saith unto Moses, 'I, thy father-in-law, Jethro, am coming unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.'
He said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you with your wife, and her two sons with her.”
And he said to Moses, I thy father-in-law Jethro have come to thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
And he sent word to Moses, saying: I Jethro thy kinsman come to thee, and thy wife, and thy two sons with her.
Jethro had sent a message to Moses/me, “I, your father-in-law, Jethro, am coming to see you, bringing along your wife and your two sons!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 18:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 18:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
אֶל
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
אֲנִ֛י
חֹתֶנְ/ךָ֥
יִתְר֖וֹ
בָּ֣א
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
וְ/אִ֨שְׁתְּ/ךָ֔
וּ/שְׁנֵ֥י
בָנֶ֖י/הָ
עִמָּֽ/הּ
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
אֲנִ֛י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
חֹתֶנְ/ךָ֥
châthan
H2859
relative
V-Qal | Suff
יִתְר֖וֹ
Yithrôw
H3503
Jethro
N-proper
בָּ֣א
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
וְ/אִ֨שְׁתְּ/ךָ֔
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Conj | N-fs | Suff
וּ/שְׁנֵ֥י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Conj | Adj
בָנֶ֖י/הָ
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
עִמָּֽ/הּ
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 18:6
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
אֲנִ֛י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
חֹתֶנְ/ךָ֥
châthan
H2859
"relative"
V-Qal | Suff
To be related by marriage means to become connected through wedding vows. In the Bible, this word describes the relationship between a husband and his wife's family, including his father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Definition: a son-in-law, a daughter's husband, wife's father, wife's mother, father-in-law, mother-in- law
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: join in affinity, father in law, make marriages, mother in law, son in law. See also: Genesis 34:9; Deuteronomy 7:3; Ezra 9:14.
יִתְר֖וֹ
Yithrôw
H3503
"Jethro"
N-proper
Jethro was Moses' father-in-law, a man who lived during the time of the Exodus and Wilderness. He was the father of Zipporah and Hobab, and is also called Reuel. His name means 'his abundance'.
Definition: A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.18; father of: Zipporah (H6855) and Hobab (H2246); also called Reuel (KJV: Raguel) at Num.10.29; § Jethro = "his abundance" father-in-law of Moses; also 'Jether'
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Jethro. Compare H3500 (יֶתֶר). See also: Exodus 3:1; Exodus 18:5; Exodus 18:12.
בָּ֣א
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
וְ/אִ֨שְׁתְּ/ךָ֔
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
וּ/שְׁנֵ֥י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
בָנֶ֖י/הָ
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
עִמָּֽ/הּ
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
Study Notes — Exodus 18:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Exodus 18:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 18:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 18:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 18:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 18:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 18:6
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 18:6
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 18:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 18:6
Context — The Visit of Jethro
4The other son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”
5Moses’ 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.
6He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”
7So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent. 8Then Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships they had encountered along the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.Exodus 18:6 Summary
In Exodus 18:6, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, sends word to Moses to let him know that he is coming to visit with his wife and two sons. This shows that even in the midst of important work, family is still important, as seen in (Ephesians 6:1-4). Jethro's visit with Moses is a great opportunity for them to catch up and for Moses to share all that the Lord has done for the Israelites, as mentioned in (Exodus 18:8). This verse reminds us to prioritize our relationships and to be considerate of others, just like Jethro was with Moses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jethro in Exodus 18:6?
Jethro is Moses' father-in-law, who is coming to visit Moses with his wife and two sons, as seen in Exodus 18:6 and also mentioned in Exodus 18:5 and Exodus 3:1, where he is a priest of Midian and the father of Zipporah, Moses' wife.
Why did Jethro send word to Moses before arriving?
Jethro sent word to Moses as a courtesy to let him know that he was coming, which is a common practice in biblical times, as seen in Exodus 18:6, and shows respect and consideration for Moses' time and circumstances, similar to the way the magi sent word to Herod before arriving in Jerusalem, as mentioned in Matthew 2:1-2.
What can we learn from Jethro's relationship with Moses?
Jethro's relationship with Moses shows that even in the midst of leadership and ministry, family relationships are important, as seen in Exodus 18:6, and that having a supportive family can be a great blessing, as mentioned in Ephesians 6:1-4 and Proverbs 31:10-12.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse sets the stage for Jethro's visit with Moses, during which Jethro will offer Moses some important advice on how to manage his leadership responsibilities, as seen in Exodus 18:13-27, and provides an opportunity for Moses to share with Jethro all that the Lord has done for the Israelites, as mentioned in Exodus 18:8 and Exodus 18:9-10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can show respect and consideration to others, like Jethro did to Moses, in my own relationships and daily interactions?
- How can I prioritize my family relationships, even in the midst of busy schedules and many responsibilities, like Moses did with Jethro and his family?
- What are some ways that I can be a blessing to others, like Jethro was to Moses, through my words and actions, and how can I use my relationships to build others up and support them?
- What can I learn from Jethro's example of initiating a visit with Moses, and how can I apply that to my own relationships and interactions with others?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 18:6
And he said unto Moses,.... By a messenger, as Jarchi: or by a written letter, as Aben Ezra: or, as the Septuagint version, "it was told to Moses, thy father", c.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 18:6
And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. Thy wife, and her two sons (see the note at Exodus 4:20.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 18:6
He spoke, not by word of mouth, as the next verse showeth, but either by a letter, or by a messenger, as that word is used, ,8, compared with ,6.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 18:6
Exodus 18:6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.Ver. 6. And he said.] That is, Sent him word. So God’ s messages to us are to be received as his own immediate words; "He that heareth you, heareth me."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 18:6
Verse 6. And he said unto Moses] That is, by a messenger; in consequence of which Moses went out to meet him, as is stated in the next verse, for an interview had not yet taken place. This is supported by reading הנה hinneh, behold, for אני ani, I, which is the reading of the Septuagint and Syriac, and several Samaritan MSS.; instead therefore of I, thy father, we should read, Behold thy father, &c. - Kennicott's Remarks.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 18:6
6. am come] rather, am coming (the ptcp.; cf. Genesis 29:6 cometh,’ lit is coming). ‘Said’ must mean here, ‘said by the hand of messengers’: see the next verse. Perhaps it is better, however, to read, with LXX. Sam. Pesh., δπδ, ‘Behold,’ for ΰπι, ‘I’; i.e. ‘And the said (Genesis 48:1 Heb.) unto Moses, Behold, thy father-in-law, Jethro, is come,’ &c.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 18:6
And he said ... - Or according to the Greek Version, “And it was told to Moses, saying, Lo, thy father in law Jether is come.”
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 18:6
6. He said unto Moses — That is, as the context shows, and as true Oriental custom required, he said this word to Moses by messengers sent before him to announce his coming.