Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jethro's exclamation "Blessed be the LORD" isn't just a general expression of happiness; it's a direct acknowledgment of God's power over the Egyptian gods. By saying God "delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians," he's pointing out that God has overcome not just Pharaoh's armies, but the very spiritual forces the Egyptians relied on.
Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, has arrived and heard the astonishing news of God's mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt. After Moses recounts the full story of their journey and God's powerful intervention, Jethro is moved to praise and worship. This moment of thanksgiving and recognition of God's power leads into Jethro's observation of Moses' overwhelming responsibilities, setting up his subsequent counsel on how to organize justice for the people.
Jethro, a priest from Midian, hears about Israel's miraculous escape. His reaction isn't just surprise; it's profound worship. How can someone outside the covenant experience such awe?
Jethro’s words, “Blessed be the LORD,” reveal a powerful truth: God’s saving acts are not just for His chosen people to witness but for the whole world to acknowledge. Even though Jethro and his people had their own gods, the sheer magnitude of God’s intervention in Israel’s exodus compelled him to recognize the unparalleled power of the LORD.
Beyond National Borders
This moment shows that God's greatness isn't confined to Israel. His mighty acts demonstrate His sovereignty over all nations and deities. Jethro's statement, "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods" (Exodus 18:11), signifies a dawning understanding that the God of Israel is the true, supreme deity.
Acknowledging God's Hand
Jethro doesn't just observe; he blesses. This isn't merely a polite remark but a heartfelt recognition of God’s active role in delivering His people. It’s a reminder that God’s faithfulness is a powerful testimony that can draw others to Him.
Moses shared the incredible story of the Exodus with his father-in-law. This sharing led to a moment of shared worship. What can we learn about building faith through shared stories?
The narrative highlights the crucial role of testimony in strengthening faith, both for the one sharing and the one hearing. Moses recounts 'all that the Lord had done' (Exodus 18:8), not just the facts, but the 'travail' and the 'deliverance.' This detailed sharing moves Jethro from hearing news to experiencing a profound spiritual connection.
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From Hearing to Blessing
Jethro’s joyful response and subsequent sacrifice (Exodus 18:12) show that hearing about God's faithfulness is meant to lead to active participation and worship. His own worship and the shared meal with Moses, Aaron, and the elders signify the unification of their faith through a common testimony of God’s goodness.
A Foundation for Wisdom
This shared experience sets the stage for Jethro to offer Moses wisdom on governance. True wisdom and effective leadership are often built upon a solid foundation of acknowledging God's past faithfulness. When we share our stories and worship together, we create a space where God can speak into our present challenges.
Understand the original words
barak · Hebrew Verb
A declaration of praise and adoration directed toward God, acknowledging His greatness, goodness, and the source of all blessing. It serves as an act of worship and thanksgiving for His deeds.
Jethro's praise highlights that the awe-inspiring deliverance from Egypt wasn't just a historical event for Moses and Israel, but a profound moment that revealed God's power to outsiders, even leading them to offer sacrifices and acknowledge Jehovah's supreme authority.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
After generations of slavery and God's miraculous intervention, the Israelites are led out of Egypt by Moses, escaping Pharaoh's pursuing army at the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC
Journey through Wilderness
The newly freed Israelites begin their journey towards the Promised Land, facing challenges and relying on God's provision, such as manna and water from the rock.
c. 1446 BC
Jethro's Visit to the Israelite Camp
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, hears of God's mighty acts and travels to the Israelite camp, bringing Moses' wife and sons with him.
c. 1446 BC
Jethro Advises Moses on Governance
Jethro observes Moses overwhelmed by the people's disputes and advises him to establish a system of judges and leaders to handle lesser matters, freeing Moses for more significant issues.
This Psalm echoes Jethro's declaration, emphasizing that God alone deserves glory, contrasting Him with idols that have no power, which resonates with Jethro's affirmation of the LORD's greatness above all gods.
Isaiah 41:10This prophetic passage speaks of God's strength and support for His people, mirroring the theme of divine deliverance and empowerment that Jethro is celebrating.
1 Samuel 2:2Hannah's prayer of praise is similar to Jethro's exclamation, as she blesses the LORD for His unique power and strength, giving Him glory for His actions.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This New Testament passage speaks to God using the weak and humble to accomplish His purposes, reflecting the miraculous deliverance of Israel from a powerful nation, an act that astounded Jethro and demonstrated God's sovereignty.
calvinExodus 18:1-12: "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;"
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.
Et narravit Moses socero suo quaecunque fecerat Jehova Pharaoni et AEgyptiis propter Israel,…
gillExodus 18:10: "And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians."
And Jethro said,.... Like a truly good man, as one that knew the Lord and feared him, and was desirous of giving him the praise and glory of all the wonderful things he had done: blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians: and out of the hand of Pharaoh;…
Jethro's exclamation "Blessed be the LORD" isn't just a general expression of happiness; it's a direct acknowledgment of God's power over the Egyptian gods. By saying God "delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians," he's pointing out that God has overcome not just Pharaoh's armies, but the very spiritual forces the Egyptians relied on.
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, has arrived and heard the astonishing news of God's mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt. After Moses recounts the full story of their journey and God's powerful intervention, Jethro is moved to praise and worship. This moment of thanksgiving and recognition of God's power leads into Jethro's observation of Moses' overwhelming responsibilities, setting up his subsequent counsel on how to organize justice for the people.
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, has arrived and heard the astonishing news of God's mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt. After Moses recounts the full story of their journey and God's powerful intervention, Jethro is moved to praise and worship. This moment of thanksgiving and recognition of God's power leads into Jethro's observation of Moses' overwhelming responsibilities, setting up his subsequent counsel on how to organize justice for the people.
"Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians." — Jethro's exclamation "Blessed be the LORD" isn't just a general expression of happiness; it's a direct acknowledgment of God's power over the Egyptian gods. By saying God "delivered the people from u…
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Last reviewed October 2026