Prophets & WritingsOld Testament

Jethro

Exodus

When

c. 1486–1445 BC· In the text

Counted back from a dated year by the Bible’s own numbers. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

"abundance, excellence" · Hebrew

About

Priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, who sheltered Moses during his exile and gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. Visiting the Israelite camp, he advised Moses to delegate judging to capable men over thousands, hundreds, and tens — Scripture's first model of organized leadership.

Relationships

DaughterZipporahDaughter, wife of Moses

Father-in-lawMosesSon-in-law, leader of the Exodus

Key Scripture AppearancesKJV

Exodus 2:21

And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.Exodus 2:21, KJV

Exodus 3:1

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 3:1, KJV

Exodus 18:1

When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;Exodus 18:1, KJV

Exodus 18:17

And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.Exodus 18:17, KJV

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