Exodus 18:9 kjv

And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:9 nkjv

Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:9 niv

Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:9 esv

And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:9 nlt

Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 9 Meaning

Exodus 18:9 depicts Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, expressing profound joy and celebration regarding all the good acts and deliverances that the Lord God of Israel had accomplished for His people, specifically His mighty liberation of them from the enslavement and oppressive power of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18 9 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details the visit of Jethro, Moses' Midianite father-in-law, to Moses and the Israelite camp in the wilderness after their departure from Egypt. Jethro, hearing all that God had done for Israel—specifically how the Lord brought them out of Egypt—comes to them bringing Moses’ wife Zipporah and their two sons. Verse 9 is Jethro’s immediate and sincere response upon hearing the full account from Moses, expressing genuine joy and awe at the miraculous interventions of God. This interaction underscores God's fame reaching outside the covenant people, showcasing His universal sovereignty.

Exodus 18 9 Word analysis

• And Jethro: (וַיִּתְרוֹ, vay-yitro). Refers to Moses’ father-in-law, a Midianite priest, distinct from the Israelites. His acknowledgment of the Lord's power is significant, demonstrating God's acts transcend tribal boundaries and draw even outsiders to recognize His divine authority.

• rejoiced: (וַיִּחַדְּ, vay-yiḥad). From the Hebrew verb חָדָה (ḥadah), meaning "to be glad," "to rejoice." This term denotes a deep, unreserved gladness, indicating genuine and heartfelt joy rather than a mere intellectual agreement. It reflects an emotional celebration.

• for all: (עַל־כָּל, al-kol). Implies the comprehensive nature of Jethro's joy; he rejoiced over every aspect of God’s dealings with Israel, indicating thorough appreciation.

• the goodness: (הַטֹּבָה, haṭ-ṭovah). From טוֹב (ṭov), meaning "good," "benefit," "welfare," or "prosperity." Here, it specifically points to God's benevolent acts, grace, and beneficial provisions. It signifies that God's actions were fundamentally positive and life-affirming for Israel.

• which the Lord: (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יְהוָה, asher asah YHWH). "That which YHWH did." The use of YHWH, the sacred covenant name of God (often rendered "the LORD" in English Bibles), emphasizes His personal and powerful involvement as the sovereign Deliverer. It attributes these acts directly to the specific God of Israel, distinguishing Him from any pagan deity.

• had done: (עָשָׂה, asah). "Did," "performed," "accomplished." Points to definitive and completed actions, emphasizing the concrete, undeniable nature of God’s intervention.

• to Israel: (לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, le-Yisra’el). Indicates the specific beneficiary of God’s powerful actions. This highlights God’s particular care and chosen relationship with the nation of Israel.

• in delivering them: (בְּהַצִּילוֹ אֹתָם, be-hatztzilo otam). "In His snatching them away/rescuing them." From נָצַל (natzal), meaning "to snatch away," "to pull out," "to deliver," or "to rescue forcefully." It conveys a powerful, saving intervention that snatched Israel from a precarious situation.

• from the hand: (מִיַּד, mi-yyad). An idiom meaning "from the power," "from the control," or "from the grasp of." It denotes total liberation from the authority and dominance of another.

• of the Egyptians: (מִמִּצְרָיִם, mi-Mitzrayim). Refers to the people and land of Egypt, which represented oppression, slavery, and formidable worldly power. Their defeat underscores the supremacy of the Lord over all earthly forces and false gods.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And Jethro rejoiced": This phrase highlights the genuine emotional response of a non-Israelite. Jethro’s rejoicing is a significant testament to the self-revealing nature of God's power and character, confirming His actions as truly divine.
  • "for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel": This encompasses the totality of God's benevolent acts towards His chosen people. It implies a recognition not just of singular events but of God's overarching care and faithfulness. It reveals the character of the Lord as inherently good and actively beneficial.
  • "in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians": This specifies the ultimate manifestation of God's goodness and power: the Exodus. This deliverance from the most formidable earthly power of the time serves as irrefutable proof of God's absolute sovereignty and redemptive might. It is the core act that evokes Jethro's praise.

Exodus 18 9 Bonus section

• Jethro's response precedes his later counsel to Moses regarding judicial organization, demonstrating that wise leadership can be borne out of a humble recognition of God’s omnipotence and goodness.
• This verse provides an early example in the biblical narrative of a Gentile affirming the sovereignty of YHWH, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles into the worship and people of God through later covenants.
• The emphasis on God’s goodness (הַטֹּבָה, haṭṭovah) complements His power (seen in the deliverance), affirming God's benevolent character alongside His omnipotence.

Exodus 18 9 Commentary

Exodus 18:9 presents a poignant moment of theological insight and inter-cultural affirmation. Jethro, as a Midianite priest and outsider to Israel’s direct covenant, exemplifies that God’s majestic deeds resonate far beyond His chosen people, prompting genuine adoration. His "rejoicing" is not a casual observation but a deeply felt elation over the magnitude of God’s comprehensive "goodness" shown to Israel. This goodness culminated in the miraculous "delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians," a triumph over insurmountable oppression that established the Lord as the unique, all-powerful Liberator. This verse validates the impact of God’s redemptive work as a witness to the nations and underscores the principle that recognition of God's sovereign acts ought to elicit profound gratitude and worship, regardless of one's background. It reminds believers that God's power displayed in their lives should also provoke joy in others, magnifying His name.