And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s easy to miss here is that "eating bread" wasn't just a casual meal; it was part of a sacred feast shared in God's presence after Jethro offered sacrifices. This highlights Jethro's recognized priestly status, where he and Israel's leaders—even Aaron himself—shared in communion with God, signifying their unity and shared gratitude.
And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, demonstrates his newfound knowledge and reverence for God by bringing a burnt offering and sacrifices to express thanksgiving. Aaron and the elders of Israel join Jethro and Moses for a sacred meal, signifying their acceptance of Jethro's priestly role and their shared worship before God. This communal feast is a testament to Jethro's recognition of God's power and a moment of unified devotion following Jethro's counsel to Moses.
How could a Midianite priest offer sacrifices that Aaron and Israel's elders would join in?
This verse introduces Jethro not just as Moses' father-in-law, but as a priest of God. Before the Mosaic Law and the specific Levitical priesthood were fully established, God recognized true worship wherever it was found. Jethro, like Melchizedek in an earlier time, held a respected priestly role. His offering wasn't an 'unofficial' act; it was a genuine expression of worship that Aaron and the elders recognized and participated in, showing that God's favor and acceptable worship weren't confined solely to Israel at this very early stage.
What does it mean to 'eat bread... before God' after a sacrifice?
The phrase 'eat bread... before God' refers to a sacred meal, a feast that followed certain sacrifices. This wasn't just a casual dinner; it was a communal meal shared in God's presence, symbolizing fellowship and peace with Him. The burnt offering was consumed entirely by fire, but other sacrifices, like peace offerings, had portions set aside for the worshipper and their guests to eat. By sharing this meal, Jethro, Aaron, and the elders were entering into a covenantal communion and expressing their shared joy and gratitude to God for His mighty acts.
Understand the original words
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olah · Hebrew Noun
A sacrificial offering consumed entirely by fire on the altar, symbolizing the complete surrender and dedication of the worshiper to God, as well as atonement for sin.
zebach · Hebrew Noun
Ritual slaughters offered to God to maintain covenant relationship, seek favor, or express thanksgiving and fellowship. They were central to Israel’s worship, signifying the necessity of substitutionary sacrifice.
zaqen · Hebrew Noun
Leaders of the tribes or community, recognized for their maturity, wisdom, and authority. They often represented the people before God and leaders, and were responsible for the administration of justice and community order.
This event highlights the spiritual integration of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, into the community of Israel. His offering and participation in a sacred meal with Aaron and the elders, even before the formal priesthood was fully established, demonstrates God's acceptance of genuine worship from those outside the covenant line, recognizing Jethro's earlier knowledge of the true God.
~1446 BC
Israel Departs Egypt
Following God's deliverance from slavery, the Israelites begin their journey into the wilderness towards the Promised Land.
~1446 BC— this verse
Jethro Visits Moses
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, hears about God's mighty acts for Israel and travels to meet Moses in the wilderness with Moses' wife and sons.
~1446 BC
Jethro Advises Moses
Witnessing Moses' overwhelming workload, Jethro wisely advises him to establish a system of subordinate judges to handle disputes, enabling Moses to focus on more significant matters.
~1445 BC
Tabernacle Construction Begins
Following the instructions received at Mount Sinai, the Israelites begin constructing the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place among them. This event is often placed shortly after Jethro's visit.
This passage introduces Melchizedek, another non-Israelite priest of the Most High God, highlighting that God's favor and priesthood weren't limited to Abraham's lineage even in ancient times.
Exodus 24:11This shows another instance where Israelite leaders (including Aaron and elders) ate and drank 'in the presence of God' after a divine encounter, emphasizing the sacredness of such communal meals.
1 Samuel 2:28This verse speaks to God establishing Aaron's family for the priesthood, offering a contrast to Jethro's recognized priestly role before the Levitical system was fully instituted.
Psalm 22:26This psalm anticipates a future time when the poor will eat and be satisfied in worship, echoing the theme of communal feasting as part of praising God.
Hebrews 7:15This New Testament passage directly references Melchizedek's priesthood as a parallel to Christ's, indirectly underscoring the significance of priestly roles outside the direct Levitical line, much like Jethro's.
pulpitExodus 18:12: "And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God."
Verse 12. - Jethro took a burnt offering. Or "brought a burnt offering;" as the same verb is rendered in Exodus 25:2. It is not distinctly related that he offered the victim; but as no other offerer is mentioned, and as he was a priest (Exodus 3:1; Exodus 18:1), we may assume that he did so. Moses, Aaron,…
bensonExodus 18:12: "And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God."
Exodus 18:12 . And Jethro took a burnt-offering for God — And probably offered it himself, for he was a priest in Midian, and a worshipper of the true God, and the priesthood was not yet settled in Israel. And they did eat bread before God — Soberly, thankfully, in the fear of God: and their talk was such…
What’s easy to miss here is that "eating bread" wasn't just a casual meal; it was part of a sacred feast shared in God's presence after Jethro offered sacrifices. This highlights Jethro's recognized priestly status, where he and Israel's leaders—even Aaron himself—shared in communion with God, signifying their unity and shared gratitude.
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, demonstrates his newfound knowledge and reverence for God by bringing a burnt offering and sacrifices to express thanksgiving. Aaron and the elders of Israel join Jethro and Moses for a sacred meal, signifying their acceptance of Jethro's priestly role and their shared worship before God. This communal feast is a testament to Jethro's recognition of God's power and a moment of unified devotion following Jethro's counsel to Moses.
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, demonstrates his newfound knowledge and reverence for God by bringing a burnt offering and sacrifices to express thanksgiving. Aaron and the elders of Israel join Jethro and Moses for a sacred meal, signifying their acceptance of Jethro's priestly role and their shared worship before God. This communal feast is a testament to Jethro's recognition of God's power and a moment of unified devotion following Jethro's counsel to Moses.
"And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God." — What’s easy to miss here is that "eating bread" wasn't just a casual meal; it was part of a sacred feast shared in God's presence after Jethro offered sacrifices. This highlights Jethro's recognized…
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Last reviewed October 2026