Exodus 18:3 Komentář

This chapter is concerning Moses himself, and the affairs of his own family. I. Jethro his father-in-law brings to him his wife and children (Exo 18:1-6). II. Moses entertains his father-in-law with great respect (Exo 18:7), with good discourse (Exo 18:8-11), with a sacrifice and a feast (Exo 18:12). III. Jethro advises him about the management of his business as a judge in Israel, to take inferior judges in to his assistance (Exo 18:13-23), and Moses, after some time, takes his counsel (Exo 18:24-26), and so they part (Exo 18:27).

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 18 This chapter gives an account of Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, with Zipporah his daughter, the wife of Moses, and her two sons, meeting him in the wilderness, who was kindly received by him, Exo 18:1 and on Moses' relating the great things God had done for Israel, Jethro expressed his joy on that account, gave praise to God, offered sacrifice, and kept a feast with the elders of Israel, Exo 18:8, and observing the constant and fatiguing business Moses had on his hands from morning to evening in judging the people, Exo 18:13, he gave him advice to appoint persons under him to receive laws and ordinances from him, he should have from God, and, according to them, judge and govern the people under them, some being rulers of thousands, others of hundreds, others of fifties, and some of tens, Exo 18:19, which counsel was acceptable to Moses, and he took it, Exo 18:24 and the chapter is concluded with their friendly parting, Exo 18:27.

And her two sons,.... Those also Jethro took along with him and his daughter: of which the name of the one was Gershom; which seems to be his firstborn, Exo 2:22, his name signifies a desolate stranger, as some, or, "there I was a stranger": the reason of which name follows agreeably thereunto: for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land; meaning, not the land of Egypt, where he was born, and had lived forty years; but in the land of Midian, where he was when this son of his was born; and which name was given him partly to keep up the memory of his flight to Midian, and partly to instruct his son, that Midian, though his native place, was not his proper country where he was to dwell, but another, even the land of Canaan.

Jethro, called the father-in-law of Moses, hearing of the deliverance which God had granted to Israel, Exo 18:1, took Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and brought them to Moses, when the Israelites were encamped near Horeb, Exo 18:2-5. He sends to Moses, announcing his arrival, Exo 18:6. Moses goes out to meet him, Exo 18:7, and gives him a history of God's dealings with the Israelites, Exo 18:8. Jethro greatly rejoices, and makes striking observations on the power and goodness of God, Exo 18:9-11. He offers burnt-offerings and sacrifices to Jehovah, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel feast with him, Exo 18:12. The next day Jethro, observing how much Moses was fatigued by being obliged to sit as judge and hear causes from morning to evening, Exo 18:13, inquires why he did so, Exo 18:14. Moses answers, and shows that he is obliged to determine causes between man and man, and to teach them the statutes and laws of God, Exo 18:15, Exo 18:16. Jethro finds fault, and counsels him to appoint men who fear God, love truth, and hate covetousness, to be judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to judge and determine in all smaller matters, and refer only the greater and most important to himself, Exo 18:17-22; and shows that this plan will be advantageous both to himself and to the people, Exo 18:23. Moses hearkens to the counsel of Jethro, and appoints proper officers over the people, who enter upon their functions, determine all minor causes, and refer only the most difficult to Moses, Exo 18:24-26. Moses dismisses Jethro, who returns to his own country, Exo 18:27.

The name of the one was Gershom - See Clarke's note on Exo 2:22.

VISIT OF JETHRO. (Exo. 18:1-27) Jethro . . . came . . . unto Moses, &c.--It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Israelites were "encamped at the mount of God." And yet they did not reach it till the third month after their departure from Egypt (Exo 19:1-2; compare Deu 1:6, Deu 1:9-15).