Back to Exodus 18

Exodus 18:9-12

Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. Jethro said, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods because of the way that they treated people arrogantly.” Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Exodus 18:9-12 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed and kissed him. They asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent. Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had come on them on the way, and how Yahweh delivered them. Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. Jethro said, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods because of the way that they treated people arrogantly.” Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

    Jethro said, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

    Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods because of the way that they treated people arrogantly.”

    Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

  • KJV King James Version

    And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

    And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

    Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

    And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in that He had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

    And Jethro said: 'Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

    Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods; yea, for that they dealt proudly against them.'

    And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God; and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

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Cross-references (70)

  • Psalms 95:3 (v11) For Yahweh is a great God, a great King above all gods.
  • Exodus 15:11 (v11) Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
  • 2 Chronicles 2:5 (v11) “The house which I am building will be great; for our God is greater than all gods.
  • Psalms 135:5 (v11) For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all gods.
  • Luke 1:51 (v11) He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Show all 70 cross-references
  • Genesis 14:20 (v10) Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.
  • Genesis 31:54 (v12) Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night in the mountain.
  • Deuteronomy 12:7 (v12) There you shall eat before Yahweh your God, and you shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, in which…
  • 2 Samuel 18:28 (v10) Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, “All is well.” He bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth, and said, “Blessed is…
  • 1 Chronicles 16:25 (v11) For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods.
  • Psalms 97:9 (v11) For you, Yahweh, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.
  • Daniel 4:37 (v11) Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk…
  • Exodus 24:5 (v12) He sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of cattle to Yahweh.
  • Exodus 24:11 (v12) He didn’t lay his hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw God, and ate and drank.
  • 2 Kings 5:15 (v11) He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God…
  • Nehemiah 9:10 (v11) and showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, and against all his servants, and against all the people of his land; for you knew that they…
  • Psalms 119:21 (v11) You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
  • Luke 1:68 (v10) “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people;
  • Romans 12:15 (v9) Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:26 (v9) When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
  • James 4:6 (v11) But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
  • Genesis 4:4 (v12) Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,
  • Genesis 8:20 (v12) Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
  • Genesis 12:7 (v12) Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who had appeared to him.
  • Genesis 26:25 (v12) He built an altar there, and called on Yahweh’s name, and pitched his tent there. There Isaac’s servants dug a well.
  • Genesis 43:25 (v12) They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
  • Exodus 1:10 (v11) Come, let’s deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies…
  • Exodus 1:16 (v11) and he said, “When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool, if it is a son, then you shall…
  • Exodus 1:22 (v11) Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”
  • Exodus 2:20 (v12) He said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.”
  • Exodus 5:2 (v11) Pharaoh said, “Who is Yahweh, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I don’t know Yahweh, and moreover I will not let Israel…
  • Exodus 5:7 (v11) “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.
  • Exodus 9:16-17 (v11) but indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth, because…
  • Exodus 10:3 (v11) Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and said to him, “This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to…
  • Exodus 12:12 (v11) For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. I will…
  • Exodus 14:8 (v11) Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high…
  • Exodus 14:18 (v11) The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh when I have gotten myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.”
  • Leviticus 7:11-17 (v12) “ ‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to Yahweh: If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall…
  • Deuteronomy 27:7 (v12) You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God.
  • 1 Samuel 2:3 (v11) “Don’t keep talking so exceedingly proudly. Don’t let arrogance come out of your mouth, for Yahweh is a God of knowledge. By him actions…
  • 2 Samuel 9:7 (v12) David said to him, “Don’t be afraid; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the…
  • 1 Kings 8:15 (v10) He said, “Blessed is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David your father, and has with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
  • 1 Kings 17:24 (v11) The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that Yahweh’s word in your mouth is truth.”
  • 1 Chronicles 29:21-22 (v12) They sacrificed sacrifices to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the next day after that day, even one thousand bulls, one…
  • 2 Chronicles 30:22 (v12) Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the feast for…
  • Nehemiah 9:16 (v11) “But they and our fathers behaved proudly, hardened their neck, didn’t listen to your commandments,
  • Nehemiah 9:29 (v11) and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they were arrogant, and didn’t listen to your commandments,…
  • Job 1:5 (v12) It was so, when the days of their feasting had run their course, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and…
  • Job 40:11-12 (v11) Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low. Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the…
  • Job 42:8 (v12) Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and…
  • Job 42:11 (v12) Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him…
  • Psalms 31:23 (v11) Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints! Yahweh preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.
  • Psalms 41:13 (v10) Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen.
  • Psalms 68:19-20 (v10) Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverance. To Yahweh, the…
  • Psalms 106:47-48 (v10) Save us, Yahweh, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise! Blessed be Yahweh,…
  • Isaiah 66:10 (v9) “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;
  • Daniel 10:3 (v12) I ate no pleasant bread. No meat or wine came into my mouth. I didn’t anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled.
  • Luke 14:1 (v12) When he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching him.
  • Luke 14:15 (v12) When one of those who sat at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is he who will feast in God’s Kingdom!”
  • Romans 12:10 (v9) In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;
  • 1 Corinthians 10:18 (v12) Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?
  • 1 Corinthians 10:21 (v12) You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:31 (v12) Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
  • Ephesians 1:3 (v10) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:9 (v10) For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,
  • 1 Peter 1:3 (v10) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope…
  • 1 Peter 5:5 (v11) Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another;…
  • Revelation 5:11-13 (v10) I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was…
  • Revelation 19:1-6 (v10) After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory…
  • Isaiah 44:23 (v9) Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth! Break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, all of…

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (16 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv10–12 Whereby it is evident that he worshipped the true…

Whereby it is evident that he worshipped the true God, and therefore Moses refused not to marry his daughter.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv9–12 Exo 18:9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Now I know, viz. more clearly and by certain…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv9–12 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Now know I that JEHOVAH is greater than all…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv9, 11, 12 Verse 9. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness]…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Exo 18:11. Now know I that JEHOVAH is greater…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Greater than all gods - See Exo 15:11. The…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv9, 11, 12 Rejoiced. Septuagint, "was in an ecstacy," of admiration, mixed…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v12 Jethro . . . took a burnt offering--This friendly…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv9–12 9. Jethro rejoiced — For he was possessed of…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–12 9. rejoiced] A very rare word in Heb., occurring…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv10–12 (10, 11) Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord.—Heb., Jehovah.…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv10–12 Blessed be the Lord. Compare Gen_14:20 Gen_24:27. The heathen…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v9 Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv9, 12 the hand of the Egyptians ... the hand of…
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