Exodus 2:16
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text highlights that Jethro, referred to as a "priest," likely wasn't a pagan idolater. This is suggested because Moses, a follower of the true God, later married into his family and spent considerable time there, implying Jethro's worship, though perhaps mingled with superstitions, was not outright idolatry. This offers a glimpse into the spiritual landscape of the time, where pure worship was rare but not entirely absent.
Moses, now a fugitive from Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster, has arrived in Midian. He sits down by a well, likely exhausted and contemplating his uncertain future, when he sees seven daughters of the local priest trying to water their flock. These women are being harassed and driven away by local shepherds, and Moses intervenes to help them.
The Bible calls Jethro a 'priest,' but what did that really mean in this context? Was he a worshipper of false gods or something more?
The term for 'priest' used for Jethro (cohen) in the original Hebrew could also mean 'prince' or 'chieftain.' While some scholars suggest he might have worshipped idols, the consensus leans towards him being a worshipper of the true God, though perhaps with some corruptions or superstitions.
Moses, an exile and fugitive, finds himself by a well. Was this mere chance, or was God orchestrating a pivotal moment?
This seemingly ordinary scene at the well is a powerful illustration of God's guiding hand in the lives of His people, even in exile.
Seven daughters drawing water for a flock might seem unusual to us. What does this tell us about the social norms and the character of Jethro's family?
Understand the original words
kōhēn · Hebrew Noun
An individual who serves as a mediator between God and the people, often performing sacrifices, interceding, and teaching the law in ancient Near Eastern and biblical contexts.
šāqâ · Hebrew Verb
To provide for the survival of living creatures by providing hydration, often used metaphorically for spiritual sustenance or God’s provision.
ṣō’n · Hebrew Noun
A group of animals under the care of a shepherd; in the Bible, it is frequently used as a metaphor for God’s people under His divine care and leadership.
Moses's flight to Midian wasn't just an escape; it was a divinely orchestrated step preparing him for leadership. His encounter at the well with Jethro's daughters marks the beginning of his exile, a period of humility and preparation that would last forty years before God called him to his great mission.
c. 1446 BC
Moses flees Egypt
After striking and killing an Egyptian taskmaster for mistreating an Israelite, Moses flees Egypt to escape Pharaoh's wrath. He likely traveled south into the Sinai Peninsula.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Moses arrives in Midian
Moses reaches the land of Midian, a region east of the Gulf of Aqaba. He sits down by a well, exhausted and seeking refuge.
c. 1446 BC
Moses rescues Jethro's daughters
Seven daughters of Jethro, a local priest and tribal leader, come to the well to water their father's sheep. Rude shepherds interfere, but Moses intervenes to help the women.
c. 1446 BC
Moses marries Zipporah
Impressed by Moses' actions, Jethro invites him to stay and offers him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. Moses accepts and settles in Midian, tending sheep.
This passage describes a very similar scene where Jacob encounters Rachel at a well, helps her water her father Laban's flock, and then rolls away the stone from the well's mouth, highlighting a recurring motif of divine providence and pastoral encounters at wells.
Genesis 24:11-20This narrative shows Eliezer, Abraham's servant, at a well in Mesopotamia, where God guides him to Rebekah, who also exhibits kindness and diligence by watering her father's flock, mirroring the circumstances of Moses' encounter with Jethro's daughters.
Matthew 5:16Jesus teaches His followers to let their light shine before others, so that they may see good works and give glory to God. Moses' act of kindness, though seemingly small, is an example of such good works that leads to his beneficial future.
Proverbs 3:5-6These verses speak of trusting in the Lord and leaning not on one's own understanding, which resonates with Moses' situation as he is guided by God's providence into a new life in Midian after fleeing Egypt.
clarkeExodus 2:16: "Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock."
The priest of Midian - Or prince, or both; for the original כהן cohen has both meanings. See it explained at large at Genesis 15:18 (note). The transaction here very nearly resembles that mentioned Genesis 29 (note) concerning Jacob and Rachel.
calvinExodus 2:16-22: "Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock."
- Now the priest of Midian. The profane would attribute this meeting to good fortune, whereas God affords us in it a striking picture of his providence, in thus with an outstretched hand directing the steps of his servant. Those damsels were in the habit of coming daily to the well; and Moses sat down to ask for hospitality at the waterside, whith…
The text highlights that Jethro, referred to as a "priest," likely wasn't a pagan idolater. This is suggested because Moses, a follower of the true God, later married into his family and spent considerable time there, implying Jethro's worship, though perhaps mingled with superstitions, was not outright idolatry. This offers a glimpse into the spiritual landscape of the time, where pure worship was rare but not entirely absent.
Moses, now a fugitive from Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster, has arrived in Midian. He sits down by a well, likely exhausted and contemplating his uncertain future, when he sees seven daughters of the local priest trying to water their flock. These women are being harassed and driven away by local shepherds, and Moses intervenes to help them.
Moses, now a fugitive from Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster, has arrived in Midian. He sits down by a well, likely exhausted and contemplating his uncertain future, when he sees seven daughters of the local priest trying to water their flock. These women are being harassed and driven away by local shepherds, and Moses intervenes to help them.
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The image of Jethro’s daughters actively drawing water and tending the flock wasn't necessarily a sign of poverty or desperation, but a reflection of ancient societal practices and familial responsibility.
c. 1406 BC
Moses encounters the burning bush
Forty years after fleeing Egypt, Moses is tending his flock when he encounters God in a burning bush. He is called to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom.
"Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock." — The text highlights that Jethro, referred to as a "priest," likely wasn't a pagan idolater. This is suggested because Moses, a follower of the true God, later married into his family and spent consid…
