Keraia
Exodus 18

Exodus 18:27

Jethro Advises Moses · Exodus 18:13–27
Read Exodus 18

Translations

Modern
Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.
Traditional
And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
Literal
And Moses sent away his father-in-law, and he went on his way to his land.
Latin
Dimisitque cognatum suum: qui reversus abiit in terram suam.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.

Notes

Exodus 18:13–27

Jethro’s wise advice shows another example of God’s care and guidance. This time, God did not act through a miracle. Instead, He used practical wisdom.

Jethro taught Moses a new way to lead. He told Moses to share his authority with other capable leaders. This way of leadership is called delegation. It means giving responsibility to others.

Before this, Moses seems to have followed an Egyptian style of leadership. That system was very strict and top-down. All authority came from the pharaoh, who made decisions by his own command. No Egyptian law code from that time has been found.

Jethro suggested a different structure. By appointing leaders over groups of people, the work of Moses would become easier and more orderly.

Theme notes and profiles

Jethro (Reuel) Moses

Events

Parallels

Deuteronomy 1:9–18

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Book of Exodus Courts and Trials Deuteronomy, Book of Jethro Moses

Topics

The Kenites: Showed Kindness to Israel in the Desert