Exodus 18:3 kjv

And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:

Exodus 18:3 nkjv

with her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land")

Exodus 18:3 niv

and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, "I have become a foreigner in a foreign land";

Exodus 18:3 esv

along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land"),

Exodus 18:3 nlt

(Moses' first son was named Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, "I have been a foreigner in a foreign land."

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 3 Meaning

This verse introduces the two sons of Moses and explains the significant reason behind the name of his firstborn, Gershom. The name, derived from Moses' declaration "I have been an alien in a strange land," profoundly signifies Moses' personal experience of displacement and sojourning. It highlights his detachment from his homeland and people, reflecting a core theme of exile and God's providential care even in alien circumstances.

Exodus 18 3 Context

Exodus 18 details the reunion of Moses with his father-in-law Jethro, his wife Zipporah, and his two sons in the wilderness, near the mountain of God. This reunion occurs after Israel's deliverance from Egypt and their arrival at Sinai. Verse 3 specifically focuses on Gershom, the first son mentioned, and provides the etymology of his name. This deeply personal explanation offers insight into Moses' mindset during his period of exile in Midian before his divine commission. The verses following (Ex 18:4) will introduce his second son, Eliezer, with a contrasting name reflecting God's intervention, further framing Moses' journey of faith from personal alienation to reliance on divine aid. Historically, Moses had fled Egypt (Ex 2:15) and found refuge in Midian with Jethro. His life there for 40 years established him as a "sojourner," setting a personal precedent for the sojourning of the entire nation of Israel whom he was called to lead.

Exodus 18 3 Word analysis

• וּשְׁנֵי (u-sh'nei): "and two". The initial "ו" (u-) acts as a conjunction "and," connecting this detail directly to Zipporah, mentioned in the preceding verse. "שְׁנֵי" (sh'nei) indicates plurality, specifying the number of sons.
• בָנֶיהָ (vaneha): "her sons". This possessive form ("בנים" - sons, with the feminine singular suffix "-יה" - her) links the sons to Zipporah, reinforcing her role in this family reunion.
• אֲשֶׁר (asher): "that/which/who". This is a versatile relative pronoun. Here, it introduces the specific details about one of the sons, specifying "that" one of them had a particular name.
• שֵׁם (shem): "name". In biblical culture, a name was not merely an identifier but often encapsulated the character, circumstances of birth, or even a prophecy about a person's life or role (e.g., Isaac, Jacob/Israel).
• הָאֶחָד (ha-echad): "the one". The definite article "הָ" (ha-) followed by "אֶחָד" (echad - one) highlights that the ensuing explanation applies specifically to the first son mentioned.
• גֵּרְשֹׁם (Gershom): "Gershom". This is Moses' first son's name. It is a key term, meaning "a sojourner there" or "an alien there." It explicitly defines Moses' feeling of displacement.
• כִּי (ki): "for/because". This conjunction introduces the causal reason, explaining why Moses gave his son this particular name.
• אָמַר (amar): "he said". This third-person masculine singular verb ("אָמַר") directly attributes the reason for the name to Moses himself, indicating his personal reflection and verbalization of his feelings.
• גֵּר (ger): "an alien/sojourner". A profoundly significant Hebrew term. A ger was a resident alien, not native to the land, often without inherited rights but typically afforded protection and compassion under Mosaic Law. It signifies one who does not fully belong or possess.
• הָיִיתִי (hayiti): "I have been". This is the first-person common singular perfect form of the verb "to be" (הָיָה - haya). It expresses a past state that continues to be relevant, indicating Moses' enduring self-perception during his time in Midian.
• בְּאֶרֶץ (b'eretz): "in a land". "בְּ" (b'-) is the preposition "in/at," and "אֶרֶץ" (eretz) means "land" or "earth." It identifies the place of his sojourning.
• נָכְרִיָּה (nochriyah): "strange/foreign". This feminine adjective modifies "land" (אֶרֶץ). It specifies the type of land—one that is not native, familiar, or belonging to the individual. It emphasizes the complete foreignness of Moses' surroundings.

• וּשְׁנֵי בָנֶיהָ: This phrase links the two sons immediately to their mother, Zipporah, from the preceding verse, ensuring narrative continuity. It establishes that Moses has a family unit that is being reunited.
• שֵׁם הָאֶחָד גֵּרְשֹׁם: This grouping emphasizes the specific naming event and the name itself, immediately drawing attention to the significance that requires explanation. The detailed naming convention reveals cultural practice of etiological naming.
• כִּי אָמַר גֵּר הָיִיתִי: This reveals Moses' personal explanation and emotional state behind the name. His choice of Gershom reflects his inner experience as a refugee, highlighting his initial sense of homelessness and dependency.
• בְּאֶרֶץ נָכְרִיָּה: This phrase vividly portrays the location and nature of Moses' alien experience—a "foreign land." This is Midian, distinct from both Egypt, his birthplace, and Canaan, the land promised to his ancestors. It underscores his utter detachment from familiar and belonging places.

Exodus 18 3 Bonus section

• A Polemic Against Idolatry: The concept of the "sojourner" subtly challenges pagan beliefs that rooted identity and security in land ownership and ancestral lineage within specific geographical territories. Israel, by constantly being reminded that they were "sojourners" even in the Promised Land (Lev 25:23), understood that ultimate ownership and security rested with God, not with a piece of ground or a local deity.
• The Contrast with Eliezer: The naming of Gershom (sojourner/alien) stands in poignant contrast to his younger brother, Eliezer ("My God is help," Ex 18:4). This shows a progression in Moses' faith and perspective, moving from an acknowledgement of his desolate condition to a testimony of God's active deliverance.
• Practical Reflection for Believers: This verse resonates deeply with the Christian understanding of earthly life as a temporary sojourn (1 Pet 2:11; Heb 11:13). It encourages believers to cultivate an eternal perspective, understanding that their true citizenship and ultimate home are not found in this world, fostering detachment from worldly ambitions and focusing on heavenly realities.

Exodus 18 3 Commentary

Exodus 18:3, in stating the name Gershom ("a sojourner there") and its reason, reveals a foundational aspect of Moses' identity: his sense of displacement. Even as a man chosen by God for extraordinary tasks, he intimately knew what it felt like to be an "alien" in a "strange land." This experience aligns him profoundly with the Israelites whom he was leading, for they too were "strangers" and "sojourners," first in Egypt and then in the wilderness. The name reflects Moses' initial sense of separation from his origins and future destiny. It quietly yet powerfully introduces the theme of pilgrimage, where one's true home and belonging are not rooted in earthly location but in divine presence and purpose. Moses, as a leader, models humility and reliance on God, knowing he lacked a secure earthly footing apart from God's provision. This verse highlights how personal suffering and exile can shape a leader and draw them closer to the experiences of the very people they are called to serve.