Exoduschapter 18

27 verses · Moses, by tradition · 15th or 13th century BC · The Law

In Jewish life

The reading

Weekly portion 17 of 54

יִתְרוֹ Yitro, Exodus 18:1 to 20:23

Read with it: Isaiah 6:1 to 7:6 and 9:5 to 9:6 in Ashkenazi use, and Isaiah 6:1 to 6:13 in Sephardi use.

The verse numbers here are the ones a Hebrew Bible carries, which differ from an English Bible by a verse or two in several places. The Sephardi reading is named only where this site records a difference; communities vary beyond what is listed. What these books are, and how a Christian reader meets them →

How it is read

Rashi asks at verse 1 what news brought Jethro out, and answers from the Mekhilta that it was the dividing of the sea and the war with Amalek (Rashi on Exodus 18:1:1). At verse 5 he reads the naming of the desert as praise of the man. Jethro lived among all the splendour the world could give, and his heart moved him to go out to a waste place to hear the words of the Torah (Rashi on Exodus 18:5:1). At verse 9 he gives the plain sense of Jethro rejoicing, and then a second reading in which his flesh crept at the ruin of Egypt. From that reading the Rabbis drew a rule of manners, that one should not speak slightingly of a Gentile before a convert, even ten generations on (Rashi on Exodus 18:9:1). At verse 13 he dates the judging to the day after the Day of Atonement (Rashi on Exodus 18:13:1). At verses 19 and 23 he reads Jethro's advice as advice offered under authority, since Jethro tells Moses to put the plan to God before acting on it (Rashi on Exodus 18:19:1 and 18:23:1). The text is the Rosenbaum and Silbermann Rashi of 1929 to 1934, in the public domain. Ibn Ezra stands by reference at four places.

What the rabbis say

The rabbis take up what Jethro heard at Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Zevachim 14:1. On his blessing of the LORD they taught at Berakhot 54a:10, and on the sacrifice and the meal that followed at Avodah Zarah 24a:20 and Bamidbar Rabbah 13:2. On Moses sitting to judge alone they taught in Bamidbar Rabbah 12:9, and on the men of truth chosen in verse 21 in Bamidbar Rabbah 10:8. The Mekhilta of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai carries this chapter at twelve places, from 18:2 to 18:26.

The text, verse by verse

Each word shows the Hebrew, the English under it, how it sounds and its Strong’s number. A rule between verses marks where the Hebrew manuscripts end a paragraph.

Jethro Brings Zipporah and Rejoices

18:1

וַיִּשְׁמַ֞עand he heardvaiyishma'H8085 יִתְר֨וֹJethroyitroH3503 כֹהֵ֤ן[the] priest ofkhohenH3548 מִדְיָן֙MidianmidyanH4080 חֹתֵ֣ן[the] father-in-law ofchotenH2859 מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesmoshehH4872 אֵת֩<obj.>ʾetH853 כָּל־allkol-H3605 אֲשֶׁ֨רthatʾasherH834 עָשָׂ֤הhe had doneʾasahH6213 אֱלֹהִים֙GodʾelohimH430 לְמֹשֶׁ֔הfor MoseslemoshehH4872 וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לand for IsraeluleyisraelH3478 עַמּ֑וֹpeople hisamoH5971 כִּֽי־thatki-H3588 הוֹצִ֧יאhe had brought outhotzi'H3318 יְהוָ֛הYahwehyahwehH3068 אֶת־<obj.>ʾet-H853 יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelyisraelH3478 מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃from EgyptmimitzrayimH4714

Ramban on Exodus 18:1

RambanSpain, 1194–1270· Commentary

Our Rabbis have already differed concerning this section. 1 Zebachim 116 a, and Mechilta in beginning of this Seder.

Read it in full at Sefaria · Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976

18:2

וַיִּקַּ֗חand he had takenvaiyikachH3947 יִתְרוֹ֙JethroyitroH3503 חֹתֵ֣ן[the] father-in-law ofchotenH2859 מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesmoshehH4872 אֶת־<obj.>ʾet-H853 צִפֹּרָ֖הZipporahtziporahH6855 אֵ֣שֶׁת[the] wife ofʾeshetH802 מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesmoshehH4872 אַחַ֖רafterʾacharH310 שִׁלּוּחֶֽיהָ׃dismissal<s> hershilucheihaH7964

18:3

וְאֵ֖תand <obj.>veetH853 שְׁנֵ֣י[the] twosheneiH8147 בָנֶ֑יהָsons hervaneihaH1121 אֲשֶׁ֨רwhoʾasherH834 שֵׁ֤ם[the] name ofshemH8034 הָֽאֶחָד֙the onehaechadH259 גֵּֽרְשֹׁ֔ם[was] GershomgereshomH1647 כִּ֣יforkiH3588 אָמַ֔רhe had saidʾamarH559 גֵּ֣רa sojournergerH1616 הָיִ֔יתִיI have becomehayitiH1961 בְּאֶ֖רֶץin a landbeeretzH776 נָכְרִיָּֽה׃foreignnakheriyahH5237

18:4

וְשֵׁ֥םand [the] name ofveshemH8034 הָאֶחָ֖דthe onehaechadH259 אֱלִיעֶ֑זֶר[was] EliezerʾeliezerH461 כִּֽי־forki-H3588 אֱלֹהֵ֤י[the] God ofʾeloheiH430 אָבִי֙father myʾaviH1 בְּעֶזְרִ֔י[has been] <in> help mybeezriH5828 וַיַּצִּלֵ֖נִיand he has delivered mevaiyatzileniH5337 מֵחֶ֥רֶבfrom [the] sword ofmecherevH2719 פַּרְעֹֽה׃PharaohparohH6547

18:5

וַיָּבֹ֞אand he camevaiyavo'H935 יִתְר֨וֹJethroyitroH3503 חֹתֵ֥ן[the] father-in-law ofchotenH2859 מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesmoshehH4872 וּבָנָ֥יוand sons hisuvanavH1121 וְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹand wife hisveishtoH802 אֶל־toʾel-H413 מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesmoshehH4872 אֶל־intoʾel-H413 הַמִּדְבָּ֗רthe wildernesshamidbarH4057 אֲשֶׁר־whereʾasher-H834 ה֛וּאhehu'H1931 חֹנֶ֥ה[was] encampedchonehH2583 שָׁ֖םthereshamH8033 הַ֥ר[the] mountain ofharH2022 הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃<the> GodhaelohimH430

18:6

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙and he saidvaiyomerH559 אֶל־toʾel-H413 מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesmoshehH4872 אֲנִ֛יIʾaniH589 חֹתֶנְךָ֥father-in-law yourchotenkhaH2859 יִתְר֖וֹJethroyitroH3503 בָּ֣א[am] comingba'H935 אֵלֶ֑יךָto youʾeleikhaH413 וְאִ֨שְׁתְּךָ֔and wife yourveishtekhaH802 וּשְׁנֵ֥יand [the] twousheneiH8147 בָנֶ֖יהָsons hervaneihaH1121 עִמָּֽהּ׃with herʾimahH5973

18:7

וַיֵּצֵ֨אand he went outvaiyetze'H3318 מֹשֶׁ֜הMosesmoshehH4872 לִקְרַ֣אתto meetlikratH7122 חֹֽתְנ֗וֹfather-in-law hischotenoH2859 וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙and he bowed downvaiyishtachuH7812 וַיִּשַּׁק־and he kissedvaiyishak-H5401ל֔וֹ<to> himloוַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּand they askedvaiyishaluH7592 אִישׁ־eachʾish-H376 לְרֵעֵ֖הוּof neighbor hislereehuH7453 לְשָׁל֑וֹםto welfareleshalomH7965 וַיָּבֹ֖אוּand they wentvaiyavouH935 הָאֹֽהֱלָה׃the tent towardshaohelahH168

18:8

וַיְסַפֵּ֤רand he recountedvaysaperH5608 מֹשֶׁה֙MosesmoshehH4872 לְחֹ֣תְנ֔וֹto father-in-law hislechotenoH2859 אֵת֩<obj.>ʾetH853 כָּל־allkol-H3605 אֲשֶׁ֨רthatʾasherH834 עָשָׂ֤הhe had doneʾasahH6213 יְהוָה֙YahwehyahwehH3068 לְפַרְעֹ֣הto PharaohlefarohH6547 וּלְמִצְרַ֔יִםand to EgyptulemitzrayimH4714 עַ֖לonʾalH5921 אוֹדֹ֣ת[the] causes ofʾodotH182 יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelyisraelH3478 אֵ֤ת<obj.>ʾetH853 כָּל־allkol-H3605 הַתְּלָאָה֙the hardshiphatelaahH8513 אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichʾasherH834 מְצָאָ֣תַםit had come upon themmetzaatamH4672 בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְon the journeybaderekhH1870 וַיַּצִּלֵ֖םand he had delivered themvaiyatzilemH5337 יְהוָֽה׃YahwehyahwehH3068

18:9

וַיִּ֣חַדְּand he rejoicedvaiyichadH2302 יִתְר֔וֹJethroyitroH3503 עַ֚לonʾalH5921 כָּל־allkol-H3605 הַטּוֹבָ֔הthe goodhatovahH2896 אֲשֶׁר־whichʾasher-H834 עָשָׂ֥הhe had doneʾasahH6213 יְהוָ֖הYahwehyahwehH3068 לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לto IsraelleyisraelH3478 אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomʾasherH834 הִצִּיל֖וֹhe had delivered ithitziloH5337 מִיַּ֥דfrom [the] hand ofmiyadH3027 מִצְרָֽיִם׃EgyptmitzrayimH4714

18:10

וַיֹּאמֶר֮and he saidvaiyomerH559 יִתְרוֹ֒JethroyitroH3503 בָּר֣וּךְ[be] blessedbarukhH1288 יְהוָ֔הYahwehyahwehH3068 אֲשֶׁ֨רwhoʾasherH834 הִצִּ֥ילhe has deliveredhitzilH5337 אֶתְכֶ֛ם<obj.> youʾetkhemH853 מִיַּ֥דfrom [the] hand ofmiyadH3027 מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptmitzrayimH4714 וּמִיַּ֣דand from [the] hand ofumiyadH3027 פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohparohH6547 אֲשֶׁ֤רwhoʾasherH834 הִצִּיל֙he has deliveredhitzilH5337 אֶת־<obj.>ʾet-H853 הָעָ֔םthe peoplehaamH5971 מִתַּ֖חַתfrom undermitachatH8478 יַד־[the] hand ofyad-H3027 מִצְרָֽיִם׃EgyptmitzrayimH4714

Ramban on Exodus 18:10

RambanSpain, 1194–1270· Commentary

BLESSED BE THE ETERNAL, 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. 66 The text presents these difficulties: Why is the hand of the Egyptians mentioned twice?

Read it in full at Sefaria · Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976

18:11

עַתָּ֣הnowʾatahH6258 יָדַ֔עְתִּיI knowyada'tiH3045 כִּֽי־thatki-H3588 גָד֥וֹל[is] greatgadolH1419 יְהוָ֖הYahwehyahwehH3068 מִכָּל־more than allmikolH3605 הָאֱלֹהִ֑יםthe godshaelohimH430 כִּ֣יforkiH3588 בַדָּבָ֔רin the mattervadavarH1697 אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichʾasherH834 זָד֖וּthey have acted presumptuouslyzaduH2102 עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃on themʾaleihemH5921

Ramban on Exodus 18:11

RambanSpain, 1194–1270· Commentary

FOR IT IS IN THE THING THAT ‘ZADU’ UPON THEM. The meaning of this is that in the matter wherein the Egyptians premeditated. Ramban thus explains the word zadu on the basis of zadon (premeditated, conscious sin), as is explained further in the text.

Read it in full at Sefaria · Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976

18:12

וַיִּקַּ֞חand he tookvaiyikachH3947 יִתְר֨וֹJethroyitroH3503 חֹתֵ֥ן[the] father-in-law ofchotenH2859 מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesmoshehH4872 עֹלָ֥הa burnt offeringʾolahH5930 וּזְבָחִ֖יםand sacrificesuzevachimH2077 לֵֽאלֹהִ֑יםto GodlelohimH430 וַיָּבֹ֨אand he camevaiyavo'H935 אַהֲרֹ֜ןAaronʾaharonH175 וְכֹ֣ל׀and allvekholH3605 זִקְנֵ֣י[the] elders ofzikneiH2205 יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelyisraelH3478 לֶאֱכָל־to eatleekhol-H398 לֶ֛חֶםfoodlechemH3899 עִם־withʾim-H5973 חֹתֵ֥ן[the] father-in-law ofchotenH2859 מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesmoshehH4872 לִפְנֵ֥י<to> beforelifneiH6440 הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃<the> GodhaelohimH430

Ramban on Exodus 18:12

RambanSpain, 1194–1270· Commentary

All this took place before they came to Mount Sinai. 78 See above at the beginning of this Seder, where Ramban develops at length his explanation that Jethro, having arrived at the mount of G-d, sent a messenger to Moses in Rephidim, informing him of his arrival.

Read it in full at Sefaria · Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976

Choose Able Men to Judge

18:13

וַיְהִי֙and it wasvayhiH1961 מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔תfrom [the] next daymimochoratH4283 וַיֵּ֥שֶׁבand he satvaiyeshevH3427 מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesmoshehH4872 לִשְׁפֹּ֣טto judgelishpotH8199 אֶת־<obj.>ʾet-H853 הָעָ֑םthe peoplehaamH5971 וַיַּעֲמֹ֤דand it stoodvaiyaamodH5975 הָעָם֙the peoplehaamH5971 עַל־atʾal-H5921 מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesmoshehH4872 מִן־frommin-H4480 הַבֹּ֖קֶרthe morninghabokerH1242 עַד־untilʾad-H5704 הָעָֽרֶב׃the eveninghaarevH6153

Ramban on Exodus 18:13

RambanSpain, 1194–1270· Commentary

AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE MORROW, i.e., on the morrow of the day on which they held the above-mentioned [feast], THAT MOSES SAT TO JUDGE THE PEOPLE. In the Mechilta, the Rabbis have said: 81 Mechilta on the verse here. “ On the morrow.

Read it in full at Sefaria · Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976