The Visit of Jethro

1Now Moses’ (drawn out) father-in-law Jethro (Reuel),a the priest of Midian (strife), heard about all that God {Elohim} had done for Moses and His people Israel (he wrestles with God), and how the LORD {YHWH} had brought Israel out of Egypt (land of bondage).

2After Moses (drawn out) had sent back his wife Zipporah (bird), his father-in-law Jethro (his abundance) had received her, 3along with her two sons. One son was named Gershom (sojourner),b for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” 4The other son was named Eliezer (God is my helper),c for Moses had said, “The God {Elohe} of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh (great house).”

5Moses’ father-in-law Jethro (his abundance), along with Moses’ (drawn out) wife and sons, came to him in the desert, where he was encamped at the mountain of God {Elohim}. 6He sent word to Moses (drawn out), “I, your father-in-law Jethro (his abundance), am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

7So Moses (drawn out) 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 (drawn out) recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD {YHWH} had done to Pharaoh (great house) and the Egyptians (land of bondage) for Israel’s (he wrestles with God) sake, all the hardships they had encountered along the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.

9And Jethro (his abundance) rejoiced over all the good things the LORD {YHWH} had done for Israel (he wrestles with God), whom He had rescued from the hand of the Egyptians (land of bondage). 10Jethro (his abundance) declared, “Blessed be the LORD {YHWH}, who has delivered you⁺ from the hand of the Egyptians (land of bondage) and of Pharaoh (great house), and who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11Now I know that the LORD {YHWH} is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”

12Then Moses’ (drawn out) father-in-law Jethro (his abundance) brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God {Elohim}, and Aaron (light bringer) came with all the elders of Israel (he wrestles with God) to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.

Jethro Advises Moses
(Deuteronomy 1:9–18)

13The next day Moses (drawn out) took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. 14When his (drawn out) father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?”

15“Because the people come to me to inquire of God {Elohim},” Moses (drawn out) replied. 16“Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me to judge between one man and another, and I make known to them the statutes and laws of God {Elohim}.”

17But Moses’ (drawn out) father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.

19Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God {Elohim} be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. 20Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do.

21Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

22Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.

23If you follow this advice and God {Elohim} so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.”

24Moses (drawn out) listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25So Moses (drawn out) chose capable men from all Israel (he wrestles with God) and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses (drawn out), but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

27Then Moses (drawn out) sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.