Matthew Henry on Exodus 18:1-6
This incident may very well be allowed to have happened as it is placed here, before the giving of the law, and not, as some place it, in connection with what is recorded, Num 10:11, Num 10:29, etc. Sacrifices were offered before; in these mentioned here (Exo 18:12) it is observable that Jethro is said to take them, not Aaron. And as to Jethro's advising Moses to constitute judges under him, though it is intimate (Exo 18:13) that the occasion of his giving that advice was on the morrow, yet it does not follow but that Moses's settlement of that affair might be some time after, when the law was given, as it is placed, Deu 1:9. It is plain that Jethro himself would not have him make this alter…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on Exodus 18:3
The name of the one was Gershom - See Clarke's note on Exo 2:22.
John Gill on Exodus 18:3
And her two sons,.... Those also Jethro took along with him and his daughter:
of which the name of the one was Gershom; which seems to be his firstborn, Exodus 2:22, his name signifies a desolate stranger, as some, or, "there I was a stranger": the reason of which name follows agreeably thereunto:
for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land; meaning, not the land of Egypt, where he was born, and had lived forty years; but in the land of Midian, where he was when this son of his was born; and which name was given him partly to keep up the memory of his flight to Midian, and partly to instruct his son, that Midian, though his native place, was not his proper country where he was to d…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Calvin on Exodus 18:1-12
Exodus 18:1-12
1. When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt;
1. Audivit autem Jethro sacerdos Midian, socer Mosis, omnia quae fecerat Jehova Mosi, et Israeli populo suo: nempe quod eduxisset Jehova Israelem ex Aegypto.
2. Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,
2. Tulit ergo Jethro socer Mosis uxorem Mosis, postquam miserat eam,
3. And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Getshorn; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
3. Duos quoque filios ejus: quorum nomen unius erat Gerson:…
