Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. New Living Translation Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God. English Standard Version Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. Berean Standard Bible Moses’ 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. Berean Literal Bible And Jethro father-in-law of Moses came—and his sons and his wife—to Moses, to the wilderness, where he was camping at the mountain of God. King James Bible And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: New King James Version and Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. New American Standard Bible Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mountain of God. NASB 1995 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. NASB 1977 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. Legacy Standard Bible Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. Amplified Bible Then Jethro, his father-in-law, came with Moses’ sons and his wife to [join] Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mountain of God [that is, Mt. Sinai in Horeb]. Berean Annotated Bible Moses’ 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}. Christian Standard Bible Moses’s father-in-law, Jethro, along with Moses’s wife and sons, came to him in the wilderness where he was camped at the mountain of God. Holman Christian Standard Bible Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, along with Moses’ wife and sons, came to him in the wilderness where he was camped at the mountain of God. American Standard Version And 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: English Revised Version and 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: GOD'S WORD® Translation Moses' father-in-law Jethro brought Moses' sons and wife to Moses in the desert where he was camped near the mountain of God. Good News Translation Jethro came with Moses' wife and her two sons into the desert where Moses was camped at the holy mountain. International Standard Version Moses' father-in-law Jethro, together with Moses' two sons and his wife, came to Moses in the desert where he was camped at the mountain of God. NET Bible Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and his wife, came to Moses in the desert where he was camping by the mountain of God. New Heart English Bible Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was camped, at the Mountain of God. Webster's Bible Translation And Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMoses’ 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. World English Bible Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with Moses’ sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the Mountain of God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jethro, father-in-law of Moses, comes, and his sons, and his wife, to Moses, to the wilderness where he is encamping—the mountain of God; Berean Literal Bible And Jethro father-in-law of Moses came—and his sons and his wife—to Moses, to the wilderness, where he was camping at the mountain of God. Young's Literal Translation And Jethro, father-in-law of Moses, cometh, and his sons, and his wife, unto Moses, unto the wilderness where he is encamping -- the mount of God; Smith's Literal Translation And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, will come, and and his sons and his wife, to Moses to the desert, where he encamped there in the mountain of God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Jethro the kinsman of Moses came with his sons and his wife, to Moses into the desert, where he was camped by the mountain of God. Catholic Public Domain Version And so Jethro, the kinsman of Moses, with his sons and his wife, came to Moses in the desert, where he was encamped next to the mountain of God. New American Bible Together with Moses’ wife and sons, then, his father-in-law Jethro came to him in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God, New Revised Standard Version Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came into the wilderness where Moses was encamped at the mountain of God, bringing Moses’ sons and wife to him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he encamped at the mountain of God; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yethrown, Father in Law of Moshe, and his children and his wife came to Moshe, to the wilderness, who was camping there at the mountain of God: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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; Brenton Septuagint Translation And Jothor the father-in-law of Moses, and his sons and his wife, went forth to Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped on the mount of God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible 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.”… Cross References Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, Exodus 3:1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. Exodus 4:18 Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied. Judges 1:16 Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people. along with Moses’ wife and sons, Exodus 4:20 So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand. Acts 7:29 At this remark, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he lived as a foreigner and had two sons. Exodus 2:21-22 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. / And she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.” came to him in the desert, Exodus 4:27 Meanwhile, the LORD had said to Aaron, “Go and meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. Acts 7:30 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy 1:19 And just as the LORD our God had commanded us, we set out from Horeb and went toward the hill country of the Amorites, through all the vast and terrifying wilderness you have seen. When we reached Kadesh-barnea, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. Exodus 4:28 And Moses told Aaron everything the LORD had sent him to say, and all the signs He had commanded him to perform. Exodus 19:2 After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 1 Kings 19:8 So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. Numbers 10:29-32 Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” / “I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.” / “Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. … Deuteronomy 1:9-18 At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. / The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. … Acts 7:38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us. Hebrews 3:2-6 He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. / For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. / And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. … Treasury of Scripture And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: Exodus 3:1,12 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb… Exodus 19:11,20 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai… Exodus 24:16,17 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud… Jump to Previous Camped Desert Encamped Encamping Father-In-Law Jethro Law Moses Moses's Mount Mountain Tent Together Waste Wife WildernessJump to Next Camped Desert Encamped Encamping Father-In-Law Jethro Law Moses Moses's Mount Mountain Tent Together Waste Wife WildernessExodus 18 1. Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses7. Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord 9. Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice 13. He gives good counsel, which is accepted 27. Jethro departs Moses’ father-in-law Jethro Jethro, also known as Reuel, was the priest of Midian. His role as a priest suggests he was a leader and spiritual guide among the Midianites, a people descended from Abraham through Keturah. Jethro's relationship with Moses is significant, as he provided counsel and support to Moses, highlighting the importance of wise counsel and mentorship in leadership. along with Moses’ wife and sons came to him in the desert where he was encamped at the mountain of God Persons / Places / Events 1. JethroMoses' father-in-law, a priest of Midian, who plays a significant role in advising Moses on leadership and governance. 2. Moses The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 3. Moses' Sons and Wife They are brought by Jethro to reunite with Moses, highlighting the importance of family even amidst leadership responsibilities. 4. The Wilderness Represents the place of testing and reliance on God, where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land. 5. The Mountain of God Refers to Mount Sinai, a significant location where God reveals Himself and gives the Law to Moses. Teaching Points The Importance of Family SupportMoses' reunion with his family underscores the significance of familial relationships and support, even for those in leadership roles. The Role of Wise Counsel Jethro's visit is a precursor to his wise counsel to Moses, reminding us of the value of seeking and heeding godly advice in our lives. Sacred Spaces and Encounters with God The mountain of God is a place of divine encounter and revelation, encouraging us to seek our own sacred spaces for communion with God. Leadership and Delegation The account sets the stage for Jethro's advice on delegation, teaching us the importance of sharing responsibilities to avoid burnout and ensure effective leadership. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 18:5?2. How does Jethro's visit in Exodus 18:5 demonstrate family support in ministry? 3. What can we learn from Jethro's actions about honoring family relationships? 4. How does Exodus 18:5 connect with honoring parents as seen in Exodus 20:12? 5. How can we apply Jethro's example of support to our church community? 6. What role does hospitality play in Exodus 18:5, and how can we emulate it? 7. Why did Jethro visit Moses in the wilderness according to Exodus 18:5? 8. How does Exodus 18:5 illustrate the relationship between Moses and his father-in-law? 9. What significance does the location of the wilderness hold in Exodus 18:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 18? 11. Who was Jethro in the Bible? 12. Who was Moses' father-in-law? 13. If Jethro was a Midianite priest (Exodus 18:1), how could he seemingly embrace Yahweh while Midianites appear as enemies in other passages? 14. Who was Zipporah in the Bible? What Does Exodus 18:5 Mean Moses’ father-in-law Jethro“Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law…” (Exodus 18:5) • Jethro is the priest of Midian (Exodus 2:16; 3:1). His arrival shows that the fame of the Lord’s deliverance has spread beyond Israel (compare Exodus 18:1; Joshua 2:10). • As a Gentile priest who honors the true God (Exodus 18:10-12), Jethro stands as an early picture of the nations being drawn to Israel’s covenant God (Isaiah 2:2-3). • His relationship to Moses as “father-in-law” reminds us that God often uses family ties to advance His purposes (Genesis 45:8; Ruth 4:14-15). Along with Moses’ wife and sons “…took Moses’ wife Zipporah, and her two sons…” (see Exodus 18:2-4) • Zipporah and the boys, Gershom and Eliezer, had evidently returned to Midian earlier (Exodus 4:20; 18:2). Now they are reunited with Moses, highlighting God’s care for the leader’s household (Psalm 68:6). • Gershom’s name—“I have been a foreigner” (Exodus 2:22)—and Eliezer’s—“My God is my helper” (Exodus 18:4)—echo Israel’s own journey from alienation to deliverance. • Their presence underscores that spiritual leadership is never meant to eclipse family responsibilities (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 1 Timothy 3:4-5). Came to him in the desert “…came to him in the wilderness…” (Exodus 18:5) • The wilderness is where God shaped Israel (Deuteronomy 8:2) and where Moses himself first met the LORD at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1). • Jethro’s trek across harsh terrain illustrates both his devotion and God’s faithful guidance through barren places (Psalm 78:52; Hosea 2:14). • Divine appointments often happen in unlikely settings, far from the comforts of home (1 Kings 19:4-8; Matthew 4:1). Where he was encamped at the mountain of God “…while he was camped near the mountain of God.” (Exodus 18:5) • “Mountain of God” points to Horeb/Sinai (Exodus 3:12; 19:1-2), the very site where Israel will soon receive the Law. • The reunion takes place on holy ground, foreshadowing that God’s revelation involves both community and covenant (Exodus 24:12-18). • By timing Jethro’s visit just before the giving of the Law, the text signals that wise counsel (Exodus 18:17-24) and godly order prepare God’s people for deeper revelation (Proverbs 11:14; Acts 6:3-7). summary Exodus 18:5 records more than a family visit; it highlights God’s wider plan. A Gentile priest hears of Yahweh’s mighty works and travels—bringing Moses’ wife and sons—into the wilderness camping spot at Sinai. The verse portrays God reuniting family, drawing the nations, and setting the stage for covenant revelation. It demonstrates that no detail of location, relationship, or timing is accidental; each serves God’s purpose of glorifying Himself and blessing His people. (5) Where he encamped at the mount of God.--It is quite possible that "the mount of God" may be here used, in a broad sense, of the entire Sinaitic mountain-region, as "wilderness" is just before used in the broad sense of the infertile region between Egypt and Palestine. Or the movement described in Exodus 19:1-2 may have taken place before Jethro's arrival, though not related until after it. We must bear in mind that Exodus was probably composed in detached portions, and arranged afterwards. The present chapter has every appearance of being one such detached portion.Verse 5.- The wilderness. This term, which has the article, seems to be here used in that wide sense with which we are familiar from Exodus 3:18;Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Moses’ father-in-lawחֹתֵ֥ן (ḥō·ṯên) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage Jethro, יִתְר֨וֹ (yiṯ·rōw) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3503: Jethro -- Moses' father-in-law along with Moses’ מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver wife וְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ (wə·’iš·tōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female and sons, וּבָנָ֥יו (ū·ḇā·nāw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son came וַיָּבֹ֞א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to him מֹשֶׁ֑ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver in אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the desert, הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר (ham·miḏ·bār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech where אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that he ה֛וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was encamped חֹנֶ֥ה (ḥō·neh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp at the mountain הַ֥ר (har) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country of God. הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Links Exodus 18:5 NIVExodus 18:5 NLT Exodus 18:5 ESV Exodus 18:5 NASB Exodus 18:5 KJV Exodus 18:5 BibleApps.com Exodus 18:5 Biblia Paralela Exodus 18:5 Chinese Bible Exodus 18:5 French Bible Exodus 18:5 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 18:5 Jethro Moses' father-in-law came with his sons (Exo. 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