Exodus 18:10 kjv

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.

Exodus 18:10 nkjv

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

Exodus 18:10 niv

He said, "Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:10 esv

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

Exodus 18:10 nlt

"Praise the LORD," Jethro said, "for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt!

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 10 Meaning

Exodus 18:10 expresses Jethro's fervent praise and adoration of the LORD (YHWH) for His extraordinary act of delivering the Israelites from the powerful and oppressive grip of both the Egyptians and their ruler, Pharaoh. It is a profound declaration acknowledging God's unique power and ultimate supremacy over earthly kingdoms and their presumed deities.

Exodus 18 10 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details the visit of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law and a Midianite priest, to the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. Jethro comes bringing Zipporah, Moses' wife, and their two sons, who had been sent back to him earlier. Upon their arrival, Moses recounts to Jethro all that the LORD had done for Israel, specifically how He delivered them from the Egyptians. Verse 10 is Jethro’s heartfelt and spontaneous response to hearing this detailed account. His words precede his profound declaration in verse 11 that YHWH is "greater than all gods," setting the stage for his subsequent wise counsel to Moses regarding judicial organization for the community. This moment signifies the acknowledgment of YHWH's power by an outsider, transcending the Israelite community itself.

Exodus 18 10 Word analysis

• And he said, "Blessed" (בָּרוּךְ – barukh): This term does not mean to 'wish' good upon God, as God inherently lacks nothing. Instead, barukh here is an acclamation or declaration of God's inherent blessedness, worthiness of praise, and supreme exalted nature. It derives from the Hebrew root B-R-K, meaning "to kneel" or "to bless," signifying an act of reverence and profound homage, recognizing YHWH as the source of all blessing and therefore due all worship.
• "be the LORD" (יְהוָה – YHWH): This is the tetragrammaton, the sacred personal covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent (Ex 3:14 "I AM WHO I AM") and eternally faithful nature. Jethro, a Midianite priest presumably with exposure to various deities, specifically praises YHWH, demonstrating a profound recognition of the unique God of Israel as the true and living God, rather than generic divinity. This specific identification is crucial, asserting YHWH’s distinct identity and power.
• "who has delivered" (הִצִּיל – hitzil): From the root נָצַל (natzal), meaning "to snatch away," "rescue," "pull out," or "save." This word emphasizes an act of powerful, decisive intervention, implying that YHWH forcefully took Israel from a situation of severe danger and complete control. It underscores the active, dynamic, and effective nature of God's salvation.
• "you": Refers to the collective people of Israel, underscoring the corporate nature of God's redemptive act.
• "from the hand" (יָד – yad): Literally "hand," this term functions as a metonymy for power, authority, control, and complete dominion. To be delivered "from the hand" implies being snatched from under the absolute and oppressive control of another. This idiom frequently describes God's power as well (Ex 3:19, 7:4).
• "of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh":
  • "of the Egyptians" (מִצְרָֽיִם – Mitsrayim): Refers to the nation as a whole, indicating liberation from systemic oppression, servitude, and the collective might of Egypt.
  • "and from the hand of Pharaoh" (פַּרְעֹה – Par'oh): The repetition of "from the hand" and the specific mention of Pharaoh highlight the complete and utterly decisive nature of YHWH's deliverance. Pharaoh was not just a king but viewed as a divine figure by Egyptians, embodying the full might and presumed deity of the state. Liberating Israel from Pharaoh’s “hand” underscored YHWH's supremacy over the most powerful and self-proclaimed divine ruler of the ancient world. This direct and specific mention creates a polemic against the notion of Pharaoh's divinity or any other gods in Egypt, unequivocally declaring YHWH's unparalleled power and ultimate sovereignty. The victory was comprehensive, encompassing both the nation and its supposedly invincible, god-like leader.

Exodus 18 10 Bonus section

• Jethro's Theological Discernment: That a Midianite priest, steeped in his own cultural and religious context, could discern and proclaim YHWH's superiority over all gods (as affirmed in Ex 18:11) is a powerful theological statement. It hints at the idea that God's power is not confined to one nation but can be recognized and confessed by outsiders who witness His mighty deeds.
• Contrast with Israel's Attitude: Jethro’s immediate and unreserved praise stands in stark contrast to the Israelites’ frequent grumbling and lack of faith after their miraculous deliverance (Ex 14:11-12, Ex 16:2-3, 17:3). This highlights the importance of faith and remembrance in truly appreciating God's saving acts.
• External Validation: Jethro's confession serves as external validation of Moses' mission and the truth of YHWH's saving power. His approval and wise counsel that follow further affirm the divine hand in Israel's journey and leadership structure.

Exodus 18 10 Commentary

Exodus 18:10 captures a pivotal moment of external affirmation of YHWH's unparalleled power. Jethro, a non-Israelite and a priest in his own culture, praises the LORD specifically for His mighty deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and from Pharaoh's iron grip. This demonstrates a clear recognition of YHWH’s unique identity and unmatched sovereignty over all other perceived powers or gods. Jethro's blessing of YHWH is a profound confession, showing that the true God reveals Himself not only to His chosen people but also to those outside the covenant community through His undeniable acts in history. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the universal reach and efficacy of God's redemptive work, worthy of praise from all who witness His might. It challenges the presumption of ultimate human authority or divine claims made by worldly rulers like Pharaoh, firmly establishing YHWH as the supreme liberator. Practically, it encourages believers to consistently acknowledge and praise God for His powerful deliverances in their own lives, both from physical perils and, in the New Covenant sense, from spiritual slavery to sin and death.