Exodus 18:8 kjv

And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.

Exodus 18:8 nkjv

And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.

Exodus 18:8 niv

Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them.

Exodus 18:8 esv

Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.

Exodus 18:8 nlt

Moses told his father-in-law everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the LORD had rescued his people from all their troubles.

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 8 Meaning

Exodus 18:8 recounts Moses' detailed narration to his father-in-law Jethro, revealing the magnificent, redemptive acts of God. This narration covers all the divine interventions, specifically highlighting how the Lord acted powerfully against Pharaoh and the Egyptians for the sole benefit of Israel. It also encompasses the hardships and challenges Israel faced during their wilderness journey and underscores the consistent and miraculous ways in which the Lord provided deliverance from every trial. It is a testimony of God's sovereignty, power, and covenant faithfulness in liberating and sustaining His chosen people.

Exodus 18 8 Context

Exodus chapter 18 finds Moses and the Israelites encamped at the mountain of God, Horeb (Sinai). This particular verse describes a pivotal moment when Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, hears of God's wondrous works and journeys to meet Moses, bringing Moses' wife Zipporah and their two sons who had been sent back previously. The broader context of the Exodus narrative shows Israel's deliverance from Egypt, their miraculous journey through the Red Sea, and various trials in the wilderness including thirst, hunger, and battle against Amalek, all met with divine provision and protection. This verse marks the occasion for Moses to meticulously recount God's powerful narrative of redemption to a respected elder and a priest of Midian, setting the stage for Jethro's profound theological response and subsequent counsel to Moses regarding judicial administration. It emphasizes the importance of sharing God's acts with those around us, whether within the covenant community or outside of it.

Exodus 18 8 Word analysis

• Moses told: (Heb. סָפַר, sapar). This verb implies a thorough, detailed recounting or narrating, not merely a casual mention. It suggests a structured telling of historical events, often with the intent to bear witness or to teach. It highlights the gravity and importance of the message.
• his father-in-law: Jethro, the priest of Midian. This relationship underlines the personal and familial nature of the encounter, but the recounting transcends mere family talk, becoming a testimony of universal significance.
• all that the Lord: Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the account, leaving no divine act unmentioned.
• the Lord: (Heb. יְהוָה, Yahweh). The personal, covenant name of God. This specifies that the mighty acts were performed by Israel's particular, powerful God, distinguishing Him from other deities. It underlines His active involvement in history.
• had done: (Heb. עָשָׂה, asah). Signifies purposeful, effective action and accomplishment, directly attributed to Yahweh.
• to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians: These were the instruments of oppression against Israel. God's actions were a direct judgment and display of power over them. Pharaoh embodied ultimate human authority opposing divine will. This demonstrates God's supremacy over all earthly powers and false gods.
• for Israel’s sake: (Heb. בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׂרָאֵל, ba'avur Yisrael). This highlights God's covenant faithfulness as the ultimate motivation. His actions were not arbitrary but were driven by His special relationship and promises to His chosen people. It implies a loving, protective divine providence.
• all the hardship: (Heb. תְּלָאָה, tela'ah). This word means weariness, exhaustion, or trouble. It refers to the physical and spiritual trials faced in the wilderness—thirst, hunger, and external threats like Amalek. The inclusion of hardship provides a complete and honest picture, showcasing God's continued deliverance amidst real difficulties.
• that had come upon them on the way: Signifies that these difficulties were encountered during their journey from Egypt through the wilderness, a time of vulnerability and testing.
• and how the Lord had delivered them: (Heb. הִצִּילָם, hitsilam). This powerful verb means to rescue, save, or snatch away from danger. It confirms God's consistent intervention and protective care through all the trials mentioned. It emphasizes divine grace overcoming human vulnerability.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done": This sets the stage for a grand narrative. It's a personal yet profoundly theological disclosure, affirming Yahweh's central role as the prime mover in all recent events. Moses is bearing witness, not just to Jethro, but, through this text, to all generations.
  • "to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake": This clearly articulates the two primary recipients of God's actions: judgment upon the oppressor and salvation for the oppressed. The specific reason, "for Israel's sake," underlines the covenantal foundation of God's dealings.
  • "all the hardship that had come upon them on the way": This phrase introduces the challenging reality of their journey. It's not a sanitized account of effortless progress, but an honest inclusion of suffering. This adds authenticity to the testimony and magnifies God's power to deliver through hardship, not just from it.
  • "and how the Lord had delivered them": This concludes the statement by reaffirming the ultimate outcome and the source of salvation. Despite the difficulties, God's deliverance was constant and final. It's the triumphant end to each trial.

Exodus 18 8 Bonus section

The detailed recount by Moses is more than just sharing news; it functions as a solemn testimony, affirming God's unique identity as the active, intervening Deity in history. Jethro, as a Midianite priest, was already a monotheist or at least aware of God (v. 6), but Moses' specific, firsthand account deepened and particularized Jethro's understanding of Yahweh. This exchange serves as an early example of missional impact, where the truth of God's character and power, experienced directly by His people, is conveyed to outsiders, leading them to acknowledge and worship Him. It anticipates future biblical patterns of testifying to God's deeds to those who do not yet fully know Him. The juxtaposition of God's triumph over Pharaoh and His deliverance through wilderness hardships also forms a holistic understanding of salvation that encompasses both great spiritual warfare and daily physical sustenance.

Exodus 18 8 Commentary

Exodus 18:8 serves as a pivotal summary within the broader Exodus narrative, crystallizing the core themes of divine judgment, covenant faithfulness, and miraculous deliverance. Moses' thorough "telling" (סָפַר, sapar) to Jethro is a comprehensive recounting, acknowledging God's direct agency ("the Lord had done"). The actions against Pharaoh and the Egyptians were not random acts of destruction but divinely orchestrated judgments executed "for Israel’s sake," a powerful demonstration of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, rooted in promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This directly challenges any notion that Israel's exodus was by chance or by human might, asserting Yahweh's singular supremacy over the might of Egypt and its pantheon.

Crucially, the verse includes "all the hardship that had come upon them on the way," alongside God's acts of deliverance. This demonstrates that God's power is revealed not just in dramatic escapes from monumental foes, but also in sustained provision and protection amidst the mundane yet real struggles of the wilderness journey (lack of water, food, and external attacks). The hardships served to test, humble, and instruct Israel, yet God consistently "delivered them." This highlights a profound theological truth: God works powerfully both against overwhelming enemies and through everyday challenges. It provides a blueprint for understanding God's consistent faithfulness in various life circumstances. Jethro's subsequent reaction in verses 9-11—rejoicing, acknowledging God's superiority over all gods, and offering sacrifices—underscores the universal power of this testimony to elicit a genuine response of faith, even from one outside the direct Israelite covenant, confirming the power of recounting God's mighty acts.

• Practical Examples:
  • A believer sharing a detailed account of God's redemption from addiction, including both the struggles and the specific ways God brought freedom.
  • A church leader recounting historical acts of God's provision and protection for their congregation, despite financial difficulties or external pressures.
  • Parents narrating to their children specific instances of God's care during times of illness or uncertainty, fostering faith in God's continuous deliverance.