Exodus 18:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jethro announces his arrival at Israel's camp and tells Moses that Zipporah and her two sons have come with him. After the public drama of deliverance from Egypt, the narrative pauses for a family reunion. God's work with a national leader does not erase the names, relationships, and welfare of the household around him.
Jethro informs Moses that he has arrived with Moses' wife, Zipporah, and her two sons, preparing for their respectful reunion in the wilderness.
The Context of Exodus 18:6
Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses' father in law, hears what God has done for Moses and Israel in bringing them out of Egypt. He takes Zipporah, whom Moses had sent back, and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Their names remember Moses' life as a stranger and God's deliverance from Pharaoh's sword. Jethro brings them to Moses at the mount of God and announces their arrival in verse 6. Moses goes out to meet him, bows, kisses him, asks about his welfare, and welcomes the family into the tent. Moses then recounts the LORD's acts and Israel's hardships, leading Jethro to rejoice, bless the LORD, and offer sacrifices before God.
What Does Exodus 18:6 Mean?
The message is direct and relational. Jethro identifies himself, then names Moses' wife and her two sons as those who have traveled with him. The preceding verses name Zipporah and both sons, giving them a place in the story beyond Moses' public office. Scripture does not explain here when, why, or under what agreement Moses sent Zipporah back, so conclusions about blame or motive exceed the text. What the passage does show is Jethro caring for the family and making their arrival known before entering Moses' camp.
Moses' response in the next verse models respectful reception. He goes out rather than requiring the visitors to navigate the camp alone, honors his father in law, exchanges signs of affection, asks about welfare, and brings them into the tent. The reunion creates space for testimony about God's deliverance and for shared worship. Family connection and public calling meet without either being treated as unreal. Moses can recount the LORD's work for Israel while also receiving the people whose own lives have been shaped by his absence, danger, and journey.
At the cross, Jesus remains attentive to His mother's future care and speaks to establish a household relationship of support. His unique saving work does not make human bonds disposable. Exodus 18:6 is a quieter scene, yet it helps Christian leaders remember that ministry, influence, and crisis responsibility never turn relatives into background objects. Christ-centered service should make room for honest communication, safe reunion, practical care, and the voices of family members whose experience may differ from the leader's public account. Faithfulness includes receiving people as persons before God.
Bible Verses Related to Exodus 18:6
“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; Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:”
- Exodus 18:1-5
“And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.”
- Exodus 18:6-7
“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. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 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. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. 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 18:8-12
“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
- John 19:26-27
Where Exodus 18:6 Echoes in Scripture
Exodus 4:18 records Moses asking Jethro for permission to return to Egypt and see whether his brethren were still alive. Exodus 18 reverses the direction of travel: Jethro now comes to Moses after hearing of deliverance. Their relationship frames the mission with communication, release, return, and renewed counsel.
How to Apply Exodus 18:6 Today
When work, ministry, military service, illness, or crisis separates a household, plan reunion with care. Communicate arrival details, make travel and reception safe, ask about each person's welfare, and do not assume the most public person's experience defines the whole family. Leaders should protect time for relatives and invite honest conversation about the costs of their calling. Readers should also resist filling narrative gaps with accusations against Moses, Zipporah, or Jethro. Careful interpretation can name what is present, acknowledge what is unknown, and focus on the concrete acts of care the passage actually records.
Reflection & Prayer
Whose experience around our work or calling needs to be received with attention and care? We might pray: 'God of deliverance and households, make our reunions safe, our listening patient, and our public service faithful to the people closest to its cost.'