Original Word: יִתְרוֹ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yithrow
Pronunciation: YITH-ro
Phonetic Spelling: (yith-ro')
KJV: Jethro
NASB: Jethro
Word Origin: [from H3499 (יֶתֶר - Remnant) with pron. suffix]

1. his excellence
2. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law

Jethro

From yether with pron. Suffix; his excellence; Jethro, Moses' father-in-law -- Jethro. Compare Yether.

see HEBREW yether

see HEBREW Yether

Word Origin
from yathar
Definition
Moses' father-in-law
NASB Translation
Jethro (9).

יִתְרוֺ proper name, masculine father of Moses' wife Exodus 3:1; Exodus 4:18; b Exodus 18:1,2,5,6,9,10,12 (all E), = יֶתֶר Exodus 4:18; in all ᵐ5 Ιοθορ.

Name and Identity

Jethro is introduced as “the priest of Midian” and “the father-in-law of Moses” (Exodus 3:1). He is the father of Zipporah and the grandfather of Gershom and Eliezer. Scripture presents him as a worshiper of the LORD who exercises both spiritual and civic leadership among his own people.

Occurrences in Scripture

The personal name יִתְרוֹ appears ten times, all in Exodus: 3:1; 4:18 (twice); 18:1; 18:2; 18:5; 18:6; 18:9; 18:10; 18:12. These references frame two pivotal episodes: Moses’ forty years in Midian and Israel’s encampment at Sinai.

Relationship to Moses and His Family

After Moses fled Egypt he “sat down by a well” (Exodus 2:15). Jethro’s daughters were rescued there, and Moses was welcomed into Jethro’s household, eventually marrying Zipporah (Exodus 2:21). When Moses later asks permission to return to Egypt, he addresses Jethro respectfully: “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive” (Exodus 4:18). Jethro’s consent underscores familial loyalty and faith in God’s unfolding plan.

Role in the Exodus Narrative

1. Hearing the Testimony: “Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for His people Israel” (Exodus 18:1). News of the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and the defeat of Amalek reaches Midian and draws Jethro toward Israel’s camp.
2. Reunion at Sinai: He brings Zipporah and the two sons to Moses “at the mountain of God” (Exodus 18:5). The meeting highlights restored family unity just before the giving of the Law.
3. Confession and Worship: On hearing Moses’ report, “Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness that the LORD had done” (Exodus 18:9) and declared, “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods” (Exodus 18:11). He then offered sacrifices, and “Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread … before God” (Exodus 18:12). A Gentile priest thus leads Israel’s leaders in worship of the one true God, prefiguring the inclusion of the nations.
4. Counsel for Leadership: Observing Moses judge the people “from morning until evening” (Exodus 18:13), Jethro warns, “What you are doing is not good” (18:17). His remedy: “You must select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them over the people as officials of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens” (18:21). Moses heeds the advice, establishing a tiered judicial structure that anticipates later tribal administration (Deuteronomy 1:9-18).

Instruction in Leadership and Judiciary

Jethro’s counsel balances divine revelation with practical wisdom. He insists that Moses continue as the people’s mediator before God (Exodus 18:19) while delegating lesser cases. The criteria he sets—competence, reverence, integrity, and incorruptibility—remain timeless benchmarks for spiritual and civic leaders (Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:1-13). His model demonstrates that godly administration serves, rather than supplants, direct dependence on the LORD.

Worship and Covenant Themes

Jethro’s confession punctuates the Exodus narrative: Gentile acknowledgement of Israel’s God follows divine victory over Egypt’s gods (Exodus 12:12; 15:11). The shared sacrificial meal (Exodus 18:12) anticipates Israel’s covenant meal with Yahweh in Exodus 24 and foreshadows the ultimate fellowship of all nations in the Messianic kingdom (Isaiah 2:2-4).

Legacy and Later References

Though Jethro’s personal appearances end in Exodus 18, his lineage continues among the Kenites who dwell with Israel (Judges 1:16; 1 Samuel 15:6). The respectful memory of Jethro underscores faithful Gentile partnership with God’s covenant people.

Practical Lessons for Today

• God’s redemptive work invites testimony that reaches beyond ethnic and national boundaries.
• Genuine joy over another’s deliverance (“Jethro rejoiced,” Exodus 18:9) fosters worship and unity.
• Delegated, character-based leadership protects both leaders and those they serve.
• Spiritual insight can come through unlikely channels; humility receives wisdom wherever God sends it.
• Family bonds, maintained in the fear of God, stand as gifts to be preserved even amid great mission.

יִתְר֔וֹ יִתְר֖וֹ יִתְר֛וֹ יִתְר֥וֹ יִתְר֨וֹ יִתְרוֹ֒ יִתְרוֹ֙ יֶ֣תֶר יתר יתרו ye·ṯer Yeter yeṯer yiṯ·rōw yitRo yiṯrōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts