In brief
Jethro is the priest of Midian and the father-in-law of Moses. Moses, a fugitive from Egypt, is welcomed into his home and marries his daughter Zipporah. Later, after the exodus from Egypt, Jethro comes to Moses in the wilderness, acknowledges that Yahweh is greater than all gods and offers a sacrifice. Seeing Moses worn out from judging alone, he advises him to appoint leaders. He is remembered for hospitality, wisdom and the art of sharing the load.
What does the name Jethro mean?
The name Jethro is generally linked to an idea of excellence or abundance, but this reading remains cautious. In Exodus, Moses' father-in-law is first called Reuel (Exodus 2:18), then Jethro (Exodus 3:1 and 18:1). The Bible does not say how these two names relate.
The story of Jethro
A refuge for Moses
Exodus 2:15-22Moses flees Egypt and stops by a well in the land of Midian. The priest of Midian has seven daughters, whom shepherds drive away. Moses defends them and waters their flock. Their father asks about it, then invites Moses to eat. Moses stays with him and receives his daughter Zipporah as his wife.
The shepherd near a bush
Exodus 3:1Moses keeps the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, priest of Midian. He leads it beyond the wilderness to the mountain of God, at Horeb. There God calls him from the burning bush to deliver his people. For forty years, Moses learned the wilderness in Jethro's house.
Jethro acknowledges Yahweh
Exodus 18:1-12Jethro hears everything God has done for Moses and Israel. He comes to the wilderness with Zipporah and Moses' two sons. Moses tells him of the deliverance. Jethro rejoices, blesses Yahweh and acknowledges that he is greater than all gods. He offers a burnt offering and sacrifices, and the elders of Israel share the meal.
The advice that lightens the load
Exodus 18:13-27The next day, Jethro sees Moses judging the people from morning till evening and tells him that what he is doing is not good. He advises him to choose capable men who fear God and appoint them as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens, to judge the minor cases. Moses listens to him, then Jethro goes back to his own land.
What Jethro teaches us
- Listen to the advice of others, even if they are not part of your spiritual family.
- Do not carry alone what God wants you to share: delegate and train leaders.
- Welcome the foreigner and the fugitive, as Jethro did for Moses.
- Publicly acknowledge what God has done for others.
- Good counsel lightens the leader's load and moves the whole people forward.
Key verses
Jethro declares: “Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods”. This priest of Midian confesses God's greatness after hearing the account of the deliverance.
Jethro tells Moses that what he is doing is not good: he will wear himself out, and the people with him. The counsel is direct and kind, because it aims at the good of Moses and of the people.
Jethro advises: “make it easier for yourself, and have them bear the burden with you”. The principle is simple: minor cases are judged by others, and the important matters come back to Moses.
Sermons about Jethro
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jethro in the Bible?
Jethro was the priest of Midian and the father-in-law of Moses. He welcomed him when he fled Egypt and gave him his daughter Zipporah. Later, he advised him to choose leaders to judge the people with him, so that he would not wear himself out.
What does the name Jethro mean?
The name Jethro is generally linked to an idea of excellence or abundance, but this reading is cautious. The Bible does not explain it. It also calls Moses' father-in-law Reuel (Exodus 2:18), without saying how these two names relate.
Where can I find the story of Jethro in the Bible?
The story of Jethro is found in the book of Exodus. He appears in chapter 2 under the name Reuel, as priest of Midian, in chapter 3 as Moses' father-in-law, then in chapter 18 when he gives his famous advice on organization.