Jethro priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, God’s people, how יהוה had brought Israel out from Egypt.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וישמע
426
יתרו
616
כהן
75
מדין
104
חתן
458
משה
345
את
401
כלאשר
551
עשה
375
אלהים
86
למשה
375
ולישראל
577
עמו
116
כיהוציא
142
יהוה
26
אתישראל
942
ממצרים
420
Exodus 18:2
Gematria: 3933
ויקחיתרוחתןמשהאתצפרהאשתמשהאחרשלוחיה
So Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after she had been sent home,
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויקח
124
יתרו
616
חתן
458
משה
345
אתצפרה
776
אשת
701
משה
345
אחר
209
שלוחיה
359
Exodus 18:3
Gematria: 3723
ואתשניבניהאשרשםהאחדגרשםכיאמרגרהייתיבארץנכריה
and her two sons—of whom one was named Gershom, that is to say, “I have been a stranger stranger Heb. ger. in a foreign land”;
Word-by-Word Analysis
ואת
407
שני
360
בניה
67
אשר
501
שם
340
האחד
18
גרשם
543
כי
30
אמר
241
גר
203
הייתי
435
בארץ
293
נכריה
285
Exodus 18:4
Gematria: 1861
ושםהאחדאליעזרכיאלהיאביבעזריויצלנימחרבפרעה
and the other was named Eliezer, ” meaning, “The God of my father’s [house] was my help, delivering me from the sword of Pharaoh.”
Moses then recounted to his father-in-law everything that יהוה had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had befallen them on the way, and how יהוה had delivered them.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויספר
356
משה
345
לחתנו
494
את
401
כלאשר
551
עשה
375
יהוה
26
לפרעה
385
ולמצרים
416
על
100
אודת
411
ישראל
541
את
401
כלהתלאה
491
אשר
501
מצאתם
571
בדרך
226
ויצלם
176
יהוה
26
Exodus 18:9
Gematria: 3370
ויחדיתרועלכלהטובהאשרעשהיהוהלישראלאשרהצילומידמצרים
And Jethro rejoiced over all the kindness that יהוה had shown Israel when delivering them from the Egyptians.
“Blessed be יהוה,” Jethro said, “who delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויאמר
257
יתרו
616
ברוך
228
יהוה
26
אשר
501
הציל
135
אתכם
461
מיד
54
מצרים
380
ומיד
60
פרעה
355
אשר
501
הציל
135
אתהעם
516
מתחת
848
ידמצרים
394
Exodus 18:11
Gematria: 2160
עתהידעתיכיגדוליהוהמכלהאלהיםכיבדבראשרזדועליהם
Now I know that יהוה is greater than all gods, yes, by the result of their very schemes against [the people].” yes, by the result of their very schemes against [the people] Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to partake of the meal before God with Moses’ father-in-law.
But when Moses’ father-in-law saw how much he had to do for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing to the people? Why do you act v. 13. alone, while all the people stand about you from morning until evening?”
Translation Notes
*act — Lit. “sit” as magistrate; cf.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וירא
217
חתן
458
משה
345
את
401
כלאשרהוא
563
עשה
375
לעם
140
ויאמר
257
מההדבר
256
הזה
17
אשר
501
אתה
406
עשה
375
לעם
140
מדוע
120
אתה
406
יושב
318
לבדך
56
וכלהעם
171
נצב
142
עליך
130
מןבקר
392
עדערב
346
Exodus 18:15
Gematria: 1915
ויאמרמשהלחתנוכייבאאליהעםלדרשאלהים
Moses replied to his father-in-law, “It is because the people come to me to inquire of God.
You shall also seek out, from among all the people, capable individuals “men.” See the Dictionary under ’ish. who fear God—trustworthy ones who spurn ill-gotten gain. Set these over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and
let them judge the people at all times. Have them bring every major dispute to you, but let them decide every minor dispute themselves. Make it easier for yourself by letting them share the burden with you.
Moses chose capable individuals individuals See note at v. 21. out of all Israel, and appointed them heads over the people—chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens;