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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 18:27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/18-27.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/02_Exo_18_27.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 18:27 - Jethro Advises Moses" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses said goodbye to his father-in-law, and Jethro went his way to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses said goodbye to his father-in-law, and Jethro went back to his own land (Midian).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Moses let his father-in-law go, and he journeyed to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, and he journeyed to his own land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After Moses and his father-in-law Jethro had said goodbye to each other, Jethro returned home. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Moses sent his father-in-law on his way. So Jethro went back to his own country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Moses said good-bye to Jethro, and Jethro went back home. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and he went to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and so Jethro went to his own land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Moses sends his father-in-law away, and he goes away to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Moses sendeth his father-in-law away, and he goeth away unto his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Moses will, send away his father-in-law, and he will go for himself to his land.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he let his kinsman depart: and he returned and went into his own country. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he dismissed his kinsman, who, turning back, went to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses said farewell to his father-in-law, who went off to his own country.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went off to his own country.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Moshe sent his Father in Law and he went on to his land. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Moses dismissed his father-in-law, and he returned to his own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/18-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=4694" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/18.htm">Jethro Advises Moses</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">26</span>And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves. <span class="reftext">27</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Then Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·šal·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/2859.htm" title="2859: ḥō·ṯə·nōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Make oneself a daughter's husband. A primitive root; to give away in marriage; hence to contract affinity by marriage.">his father-in-law on his way,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and Jethro returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’ar·ṣōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">his own land.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-33.htm">Acts 15:33</a></span><br />After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers in peace to return to those who had sent them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/10-29.htm">Numbers 10:29-32</a></span><br />Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” / “I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.” / “Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-9.htm">Deuteronomy 1:9-18</a></span><br />At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. / The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-15.htm">1 Kings 19:15-21</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. / You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet. / Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-3.htm">Acts 13:3</a></span><br />And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-54.htm">Genesis 24:54-56</a></span><br />Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.” / But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.” / But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-11.htm">2 Timothy 4:11</a></span><br />Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/8-18.htm">2 Corinthians 8:18-19</a></span><br />Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel. / More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the gracious offering we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-22.htm">1 Samuel 24:22</a></span><br />So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-21.htm">Acts 18:21</a></span><br />But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-55.htm">Genesis 31:55</a></span><br />Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then he left to return home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-11.htm">1 Corinthians 16:11</a></span><br />No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-39.htm">2 Samuel 19:39</a></span><br />So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-1.htm">Acts 20:1</a></span><br />When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-33.htm">Genesis 18:33</a></span><br />When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned home.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-59.htm">Genesis 24:59</a></b></br> And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-55.htm">Genesis 31:55</a></b></br> And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/10-29.htm">Numbers 10:29,30</a></b></br> And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/16-24.htm">Bade</a> <a href="/exodus/12-49.htm">Country</a> <a href="/exodus/13-22.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/exodus/13-22.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/genesis/31-28.htm">Farewell</a> <a href="/exodus/18-24.htm">Father-In-Law</a> <a href="/exodus/18-12.htm">Jethro</a> <a href="/exodus/18-24.htm">Law</a> <a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/14-10.htm">Bade</a> <a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Country</a> <a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/exodus/19-2.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/mark/6-46.htm">Farewell</a> <a href="/numbers/10-29.htm">Father-In-Law</a> <a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Jethro</a> <a href="/exodus/21-9.htm">Law</a> <a href="/exodus/19-3.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/19-21.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-1.htm">Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-7.htm">Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-9.htm">Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">He gives good counsel, which is accepted</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-27.htm">Jethro departs</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way</b><br>Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, had come to visit him in the wilderness after hearing of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. This visit is significant as it highlights the importance of family ties and the sharing of wisdom. Jethro, a Midianite priest, had offered Moses valuable advice on leadership and governance, suggesting the delegation of responsibilities to capable men (<a href="/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17-23</a>). This advice was crucial for the effective management of the Israelite community. The phrase indicates a respectful and amicable parting, suggesting that Moses valued Jethro's counsel and presence. The act of sending Jethro on his way also reflects the cultural norms of hospitality and respect for elders in ancient Near Eastern societies.<p><b>and Jethro returned to his own land</b><br>Jethro's return to his own land, Midian, signifies the continuation of his life and duties as a priest and leader among his people. Midian was located in the northwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula, and its people were descendants of Abraham through his wife Keturah (<a href="/genesis/25.htm">Genesis 25:1-2</a>). This connection to Abraham highlights the broader family ties among the peoples of the region. Jethro's departure also underscores the transient nature of his visit, which was primarily to offer support and guidance to Moses. The return to his land suggests a fulfillment of his role and responsibilities there, maintaining the balance between his duties to his family and his own community. This phrase also serves as a reminder of the diverse interactions and relationships between the Israelites and other groups in the biblical narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Exodus, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In this chapter, he is seen interacting with his father-in-law, Jethro, and implementing his advice on leadership and governance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jethro.htm">Jethro</a></b><br>Moses' father-in-law, a priest of Midian. He visits Moses, observes his leadership, and offers wise counsel on how to manage the people's needs more effectively.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/midian.htm">Midian</a></b><br>The land where Jethro resides. It is significant as a place of refuge for Moses before he returned to Egypt to lead the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people Moses is leading out of Egypt. Their journey and governance are central themes in this chapter.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_departure.htm">The Departure</a></b><br>The event where Jethro returns to his own land after visiting Moses and offering his counsel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wise_counsel.htm">The Importance of Wise Counsel</a></b><br>Jethro's visit highlights the value of seeking and heeding wise advice from trusted individuals, even those outside one's immediate community of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/delegation_and_leadership.htm">Delegation and Leadership</a></b><br>Moses' implementation of Jethro's advice on delegation is a model for effective leadership, emphasizing the need to share responsibilities to prevent burnout and ensure efficient governance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respecting_family_ties.htm">Respecting Family Ties</a></b><br>Moses' respectful relationship with Jethro underscores the importance of maintaining strong family connections and honoring the wisdom of elders.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_work_beyond_israel.htm">God's Work Beyond Israel</a></b><br>Jethro's acknowledgment of God's work among the Israelites serves as a reminder that God's influence and blessings extend beyond the boundaries of Israel, reaching other nations and peoples.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_jethro_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Jethro in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_zipporah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Zipporah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jethro_also_reuel,_or_a_contradiction.htm">Exodus 18:1 calls Moses' father-in-law 'Jethro,' yet Exodus 2:18 refers to him as 'Reuel.' Are these two names for the same person, or is this a contradiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_seek_advice_from_jethro_after_god.htm">Why would Moses need leadership advice from a non-Israelite (Exodus 18:13-26) after direct guidance from God elsewhere in Exodus?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(27) <span class= "bld">Moses let his father in law depart.</span>--Heb. <span class= "ital">Moses dismissed his connection. </span>The supposed identity of Hobab (<a href="/numbers/10-29.htm" title="And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come you with us, and we will do you good: for the LORD has spoken good concerning Israel.">Numbers 10:29</a>; <a href="/judges/4-11.htm" title="Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent to the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.">Judges 4:11</a>) with Jethro seems precluded by this statement, for Hobab clearly remained with Moses till the close of the stay at Sinai, and Moses, instead of "dismissing" him, was most unwilling that he should depart.<p><span class= "bld"><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 27.</span> - DEPARTURE OF JETHRO. The time of Jethro's departure, and indeed of his entire visit, has been matter of controversy. Kurtz is of opinion that Jethro waited till the news of Israel's victory over Amalek reached him, before setting out from his own country. Hence he concludes, that "a whole month or more may easily have intervened between the victory over Amalek and the arrival of Jethro," whose arrival in that case "would not even fall into the very earliest period of the sojourn at Sinai, but after the promulgation of the first Sinaitic law." Those who identify Hobab with Jethro find in <a href="/numbers/10-29.htm">Numbers 10:29-32</a> a proof that at any rate Jethro prolonged his visit until after the law was given, and did not "depart to his own land" before the removal of the people from the wilderness of Sinai to that of Paran, "in the 20th day of the second month of the second year" (<span class="accented">ib</span>, ver. 11). The position, however, of ch. 18, together with its contents - beth what it says and what it omits - are conclusive against this view. Jethro started on his journey when he heard "that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt" (ver. 1), not when he heard that Israel had been victorious over Amalek. His conversation with Moses (vers. 7-11) ranged over the entire series of deliverances from the night of the departure out of Egypt to the Amalekite defeat, but contained no allusion to the giving of the law. The occupation of Moses on the day after his arrival (ver. 13) is suitable to the quiet period which followed the Amalekite defeat, but not to the exciting time of the Sinaitic manifestations. It may be added that the practice of inculcating general principles on occasion of his particular judgments, of which Moses speaks (ver. 16), is suitable to the period anterior to the promulgation of the law, but not to that following it. The argument from <a href="/numbers/10-29.htm">Numbers 10:29-32</a> fails altogether, so soon as it is seen that Jethro and Hobab are distinct persons, probably brothers, sons of Reuel (or Raguel), and brothers- in-law of Moses. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 27.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Moses let his father-in-law depart</span>. Literally, "dismissed him," "sent him away." This single expression is quite enough to prove that the Hobab, whom Moses made strenuous efforts to keep with him after Sinai was left, is not the Jethro whom he was quite content to let go<span class="cmt_word">. He went his way into his own land</span>. He returned to Midian, probably crossing the Elanitic gulf, which divided Midian from the Sinaitic region. The exact time of the departure is uncertain; but it was probably before the main events related in ch. 19. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/18-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sent</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·šal·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his father-in-law {on his way},</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹתְנ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·ṯə·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2859.htm">Strong's 2859: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [Jethro] returned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his own land.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַרְצֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ar·ṣōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/18-27.htm">Exodus 18:27 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/18-27.htm">OT Law: Exodus 18:27 Moses let his father-in-law depart and he (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/18-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 18:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 18:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/19-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 19:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 19:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>