Exodus 4 18

Exodus 4:18 kjv

And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.

Exodus 4:18 nkjv

So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, "Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace."

Exodus 4:18 niv

Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive." Jethro said, "Go, and I wish you well."

Exodus 4:18 esv

Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace."

Exodus 4:18 nlt

So Moses went back home to Jethro, his father-in-law. "Please let me return to my relatives in Egypt," Moses said. "I don't even know if they are still alive." "Go in peace," Jethro replied.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 18 Meaning

Exodus 4:18 marks Moses' immediate and humble response to God's commissioning. Having received divine instructions at the burning bush to liberate the Israelites, Moses returns to Jethro, his father-in-law, to seek permission to depart. His stated reason for wanting to go back to Egypt is to check on the well-being of his "brothers" (kinsmen). Jethro grants his request with the profound blessing, "Go in peace," releasing Moses to embark on his divinely appointed, though largely undisclosed, mission. The verse signifies Moses' first obedient step towards his destiny, demonstrating respect for familial authority while quietly pursuing God's call.

Exodus 4 18 Context

Exodus chapter 4 immediately follows God's dramatic appearance to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3), where He reveals His holy name (Yahweh) and commissions Moses to lead Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Moses, initially resistant and full of doubts, questions his own capability, God's power, and how he will be believed by the Israelites and Pharaoh. God addresses each of Moses' concerns, providing signs (the staff turning into a serpent, his hand becoming leprous), and even appointing Aaron, Moses' brother, as his spokesman. By Exodus 4:17, God has explicitly commanded Moses to "take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs."

Therefore, Exodus 4:18 represents Moses' first tangible step in obedience to this monumental divine calling. It shows Moses honoring his patriarchal ties to Jethro by seeking his permission to leave, a respectful act appropriate for a son-in-law in that cultural context, before embarking on a dangerous and uncertain journey back to Egypt, the land he had fled as a murderer 40 years prior. His stated reason to check on his kinsmen is an understated, yet truthful, cover for the grander divine mission that Jethro, a priest of Midian, was likely not yet meant to comprehend in its entirety. This quiet departure prepares for the immediate actions described in the following verses, where Moses gathers his family and physically begins the journey to Egypt (Exodus 4:19-20).

Exodus 4 18 Word analysis

• Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Moshe): The chosen deliverer, whose very name, meaning "drawn out" (from the water), foreshadows his role in drawing Israel out of Egypt. His appearance here as acting upon God's word marks the pivot from a shepherd's solitary life to a leader of nations.
• went (וַיֵּלֶךְ - vayeilech): A simple Hebrew verb signifying movement. Its immediate placement after God's commission (Exod 3:10, Exod 4:12, Exod 4:17) denotes Moses' direct and prompt obedience to the divine command. It suggests initiating the journey by returning to his domestic base before embarking on the main mission.
• and returned (וַיָּשָׁב - vayyashav): This verb can mean "to turn back," "to go back," or "to restore." In this context, it suggests he came back to Jethro, perhaps after communing with God or preparing himself. It highlights a conscious action to seek out Jethro.
• to Jethro (אֶל יִתְרוֹ - el Yithro): Jethro, the priest of Midian, was Moses' father-in-law (Exod 3:1; Exod 18). He had provided shelter and family to Moses for 40 years. Seeking him out demonstrates respect and recognition of familial obligation.
• his father-in-law (חֹתְנוֹ - chotno): This term emphasizes the family bond and the cultural necessity of seeking approval or, at least, informing the head of the household for such a significant departure.
• and said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): Standard Hebrew narrative verb for speaking.
• to him (אֵלָיו - eilav): Direct address, reinforcing the personal nature of the request.
• “Please let me go (אֵלְכָה נָּא - 'elkhah na'): The Hebrew particle "na" (נָּא) softens the command, translating to "please" or "I pray you." It indicates a polite and humble request, fitting for a junior family member addressing a senior one.
• and return (וְאָשׁוּבָה - ve'ashuvah): Similar to vayyashav, it implies going back. Here, it signifies going back to Egypt, possibly conveying a sense of return to his roots, rather than a permanent desertion of his current life. It could also suggest a possibility of returning from Egypt eventually.
• to my brothers (אֶל אַחַי - 'el 'achay): This refers to his fellow Israelites, his blood-kin. This phrasing expresses his concern for his people, the fundamental drive that led to his initial flight from Egypt (Exod 2:11-14) and now to his divinely ordained return. It frames his personal desire respectfully within a familial context for Jethro.
• in Egypt (אֲשֶׁר בְּמִצְרַיִם - 'asher bemitzrayim): Clearly specifies the destination.
• and see whether (וְאֶרְאֶה הַעוֹדֵנָּם - ve'er'eh ha'odennam): "And I will see if still..." Indicates the purpose of his journey. The word "ha" (הַ) acts as an interrogative prefix, "whether."
• they are still alive (חַיִּים - chayyim): "Alive." This is Moses' stated reason, a seemingly natural and understandable human concern, masking the extraordinary divine commission he had just received. This can be interpreted as discretion or prudence on Moses' part, not needing to burden Jethro with the full weight of God's plan at this stage.
• And Jethro said (וַיֹּאמֶר יִתְרוֹ - vayyomer Yithro): Jethro's simple yet impactful response.
• to Moses (אֶל מֹשֶׁה - el Moshe): To his son-in-law.
• “Go in peace.” (לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם - lekh leshalom): A traditional and profound Hebrew blessing for departure. Shalom (peace) encompasses far more than just the absence of conflict; it signifies wholeness, well-being, health, prosperity, completeness, and a harmonious state, often implicitly referencing God's favor. It expresses Jethro's complete acceptance and blessing of Moses' departure, wishing him divine protection and a successful return.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law": This opening phrase highlights Moses' immediate action, signifying obedience and respectful familial conduct. "Returned" emphasizes the direct seeking out of Jethro after his encounter with God.
• "Please let me go and return to my brothers in Egypt and see whether they are still alive.": Moses' carefully crafted request. It's polite ("please"), suggests a specific destination and intention ("return to my brothers in Egypt"), and offers a seemingly simple, yet heartfelt, justification ("see whether they are still alive"). This shows a strategic use of truth (he did care about his people) without revealing the revolutionary divine purpose behind his journey.
• "And Jethro said to Moses, 'Go in peace.'": Jethro's brief but potent response. "Go in peace" is a common farewell but carries deep spiritual weight. It signifies approval, a paternal blessing, and a wish for shalom—wholeness and well-being—on Moses' journey, underscoring that Jethro sent him off with genuine goodwill and not out of obligation or disdain.

Exodus 4 18 Bonus section

• God's Orchestration and Human Courtesy: The verse beautifully illustrates how God's divine plan does not negate human courtesy and proper social conduct. Despite the urgency and divine authority of his mission, Moses still observed the customs of his time by seeking permission from his father-in-law. This indicates a holistic understanding of obedience that incorporates both spiritual and relational aspects.
• Significance of Jethro: Jethro, a Midianite priest, blesses Moses. This peaceful exchange foreshadows that not all gentiles will be against Israel or its God; some, like Jethro himself (who later gives counsel to Moses in Exod 18), can be supportive figures, representing a broader divine economy beyond Israel.
• The Unstated Commission: Moses doesn't elaborate on the burning bush, the call from Yahweh, or the plagues that are to come. His discretion (or wisdom) here prevents unnecessary complications, maintains peace in his family, and leaves the full revelation of God's power for its intended audience—Pharaoh and the Israelites. This serves as an example for believers to discern what needs to be fully shared versus what is to be handled with careful purpose.
• Preparation in Obscurity: Moses spent 40 years in Midian being prepared in the wilderness. This verse is the threshold moment where that hidden preparation concludes, and he steps onto the public stage for which God has trained him.

Exodus 4 18 Commentary

Exodus 4:18 is a concise yet pivotal verse. It marks the precise moment Moses begins to execute the overwhelming divine mandate given at the burning bush. After 40 years as a humble shepherd in Midian, his life is irrevocably shifting towards leadership and confrontation.

Moses' approach to Jethro is a testament to his respect for patriarchal authority and cultural custom. Even with a direct command from God, Moses does not simply disappear. He seeks a blessing for his departure, maintaining social harmony within his adopted family. His stated reason—concern for his "brothers" in Egypt—is both genuine and strategically discreet. While he did care deeply for his people, the magnitude of God's plan to bring judgment on Egypt and deliver Israel was a secret he seemingly guarded, either out of prudence, humility, or simply not wanting to overwhelm or endanger Jethro. This showcases a blend of obedience to God, respect for human relationships, and a practical wisdom in managing expectations and information.

Jethro's response, "Go in peace" (לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם), is more than a mere farewell. It is a powerful blessing encompassing all aspects of well-being: safety, health, prosperity, and spiritual wholeness. This benediction from Moses' respected father-in-law, a priest in his own right, is a significant endorsement that sends Moses forth with favor. It illustrates that God orchestrates human relationships to align with His purposes, even securing the release and blessing of an "outsider" (relative to the Mosaic covenant) for His chosen vessel. The quiet dignity of this interaction sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation and deliverance that follow, emphasizing that God's great acts often begin with simple steps of obedience and grace in seemingly ordinary human interactions.