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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 2:20 "So where is he?" their father asked. "Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/2-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/02_Exo_02_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 2:20 - Moses Flees to Midian" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So where is he? their father asked. Why did you leave the man behind? 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Invite him to have something to eat.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Then where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave him there? Invite him to come and eat with us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“So where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said unto his daughters, And where <i>is</i> he? why <i>is</i> it <i>that</i> ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So he said to his daughters, “And where <i>is</i> he? Why <i>is</i> it <i>that</i> you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said to his daughters, &#8220Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Call him so that he may eat bread.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then he said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why have you left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“So where is he? ” he asked his daughters. “Why then did you leave the man behind? Invite him to eat dinner.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So where is he?&#8221 he asked his daughters. &#8220Why then did you leave the man behind? Invite him to eat dinner.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Where is he?" Jethro asked. "Why did you leave him out there? Invite him to eat with us." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Reuel asked his daughters, "Where is he? Why did you leave the man there? Go, invite him to supper."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Where is he?" he asked his daughters. "Why did you leave the man out there? Go and invite him to eat with us." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Then where is he?" He asked his daughters. "Why did you leave the man behind? Go invite him to have something to eat." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?So where is he?? their father asked. ?Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said to his daughters, "So where is he? Why in the world did you leave the man? Call him, so that he may eat a meal with us." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He said to his daughters, "Where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said to his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he says to his daughters, “And where [is] he? Why [is] this [that] you left the man? Call for him, and he eats bread.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he saith unto his daughters, 'And where is he? why is this? -- ye left the man! call for him, and he doth eat bread.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say to his daughters, Where is he? for what this left ye the man? call to him and he shall eat bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But he said: Where is he? why have you let the man go? call him that he may eat bread. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But he said: “Where is he? Why have you dismissed the man? Call him, so that he may eat bread.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Where is he?” he asked his daughters. “Why did you leave the man there? Invite him to have something to eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to his daughters, And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Go, invite him, that he may eat bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why have you let the man go? Go invite him and we shall eat bread.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he said unto his daughters: 'And where is he? Why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said to his daughters, And where is he? and why have ye left the man? call him therefore, that he may eat bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/2-20.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=336" 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/2.htm">Moses Flees to Midian</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>“An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they replied. “He even drew water for us and watered the flock.” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/335.htm" title="335: wə·’ay·yōw (Conj-w:: Interrog:: 3ms) -- Where?. Perhaps from 'aiyn; where? Hence how?.">“So where is he?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">their father asked.</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: bə·nō·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Prep-l:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">did you leave the man</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: ‘ă·zaḇ·ten (V-Qal-Perf-2fp) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">behind?</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/7121.htm" title="7121: qir·’en (V-Qal-Imp-fp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">Invite</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: wə·yō·ḵal (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">to have something to eat.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: lā·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain."></a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.…<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="/genesis/24-31.htm">Genesis 24:31</a></span><br />“Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/19-20.htm">Judges 19:20-21</a></span><br />“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” / So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3-5</a></span><br />“My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. / Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. / And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/17-10.htm">1 Kings 17:10-11</a></span><br />So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-2.htm">Genesis 19:2-3</a></span><br />and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” / But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Hebrews 13:2</a></span><br />Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-29.htm">Luke 24:29</a></span><br />But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-40.htm">Matthew 10:40</a></span><br />He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">2 Kings 4:8</a></span><br />One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">Genesis 29:13-14</a></span><br />When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, where Jacob told him all that had happened. / Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-15.htm">Acts 16:15</a></span><br />And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-13.htm">Romans 12:13</a></span><br />Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-9.htm">1 Peter 4:9</a></span><br />Show hospitality to one another without complaining.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/3_john/1-5.htm">3 John 1:5-8</a></span><br />Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. / They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. / For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/43-24.htm">Genesis 43:24</a></span><br />And the steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet, and provided food for their donkeys.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said to his daughters, And where is he? why is it that you have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.</p><p class="hdg">call him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-31.htm">Genesis 24:31-33</a></b></br> And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-5.htm">Genesis 18:5</a></b></br> And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-2.htm">Genesis 19:2,3</a></b></br> And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/49-20.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/exodus/2-16.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/genesis/47-22.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-27.htm">Invite</a> <a href="/genesis/44-22.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/genesis/43-32.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/genesis/40-1.htm">Something</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/12-8.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/exodus/3-22.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/exodus/10-5.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Invite</a> <a href="/exodus/3-19.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/exodus/7-12.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/exodus/10-6.htm">Something</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-1.htm">Moses is born, and placed in a basket in the reeds of Nile.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-5.htm">He is found, and brought up by Pharaoh's daughter;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-7.htm">who employs his mother to nurse him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-11.htm">He kills an Egyptian.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">He reproves a Hebrew.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">He flees into Midian, and marries Zipporah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-22.htm">Gershom is born.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">God respects the Israelites' cry.</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/2.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/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So where is he?</b><br>This question is posed by Reuel, also known as Jethro, the priest of Midian. It reflects the hospitality customs of the ancient Near East, where welcoming strangers was a significant cultural practice. The inquiry shows concern and curiosity about Moses, who had helped his daughters at the well. This moment foreshadows Moses' future integration into Jethro's family and the Midianite community.<p><b>their father asked.</b><br>Reuel's role as the father of the seven daughters highlights the patriarchal structure of the family unit during this period. As the head of the household, he is responsible for the well-being and decisions concerning his family. This interaction sets the stage for Moses' eventual marriage to Zipporah, one of Reuel's daughters, and his time in Midian, which becomes a formative period in his life.<p><b>Why did you leave the man behind?</b><br>This question underscores the expectation of hospitality and gratitude. In the cultural context, it would have been customary to invite a benefactor into one's home as a gesture of thanks and to establish a relationship. The daughters' initial oversight in not inviting Moses reflects their surprise and urgency in returning home, but also sets up the opportunity for Moses to be welcomed into their family.<p><b>Invite him to have something to eat.</b><br>Sharing a meal was a significant act of fellowship and acceptance in ancient cultures. It symbolized peace, friendship, and the beginning of a relationship. This invitation not only provides Moses with sustenance but also marks the beginning of his integration into the Midianite community. This act of hospitality is reminiscent of other biblical instances where sharing a meal signifies covenant and community, such as Abraham's hospitality to the three visitors in <a href="/genesis/18.htm">Genesis 18</a>. Moses' acceptance of this invitation leads to his eventual role as a shepherd in Midian, a period of preparation for his future leadership of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>At this point in the account, Moses has fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian and has arrived in Midian. He is resting by a well when he encounters the daughters of Reuel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/reuel.htm">Reuel (Jethro)</a></b><br>The priest of Midian and father of the daughters who Moses helps. He is also known as Jethro and later becomes Moses' father-in-law.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/daughters_of_reuel.htm">Daughters of Reuel</a></b><br>They are shepherdesses who come to draw water for their father's flock. Moses assists them by driving away other shepherds who were harassing them.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/midian.htm">Midian</a></b><br>A region where Moses finds refuge after fleeing Egypt. It is significant as a place of transition and preparation for Moses.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_well.htm">The Well</a></b><br>A common meeting place in ancient times, often a setting for significant encounters and events in biblical accounts.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/hospitality_and_kindness.htm">Hospitality and Kindness</a></b><br>Reuel's invitation to Moses to share a meal demonstrates the biblical value of hospitality. As Christians, we are called to extend kindness and welcome to strangers, reflecting God's love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_appointments.htm">Divine Appointments</a></b><br>The encounter at the well was not by chance. God orchestrates meetings and events in our lives for His purposes. We should be attentive to how God might be working in our everyday interactions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_purpose.htm">Preparation for Purpose</a></b><br>Moses' time in Midian was a period of preparation. God often uses seasons of waiting and obscurity to prepare us for future tasks. Trust in God's timing and process.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_and_community_support.htm">Family and Community Support</a></b><br>Reuel's acceptance of Moses into his family highlights the importance of community and support systems. We should seek to build and be part of communities that nurture and support one another.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_make_ethical_decisions.htm">How can we make ethical decisions effectively?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_marital_infidelity.htm">What does the Bible say about marital infidelity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_advice_for_tough_in-laws.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer for difficult in-laws?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_exodus_33_11_align_with_33_20.htm">If Exodus 33:11 says Moses spoke with God 'face to face,' how do we reconcile this with Exodus 33:20 where God says no one can see His face and live?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">That he may eat bread.</span>--Arab hospitality was offended that the stranger had not been invited into the tent to partake of the evening meal. The feeling of the modern Bedouin would be the same.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Where is he?</span> Reuel reproaches his daughters with a want of politeness - even of gratitude. Why have they "left the man"? Why have they not invited him in? They must themselves remedy the omission - they must go and "call him" - that he "may eat bread," or take his evening meal with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/2-20.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">“So where is he?”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַיּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ay·yōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_346.htm">Strong's 346: </a> </span><span class="str2">Where?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[their father] asked.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֤מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did you leave the man</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאִ֔ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">behind?</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·zaḇ·ten)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Invite</span><br /><span class="heb">קִרְאֶ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(qir·’en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">to have something to eat.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיֹ֥אכַל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yō·ḵal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/2-20.htm">Exodus 2:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/2-20.htm">OT Law: Exodus 2:20 He said to his daughters Where (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/2-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 2:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 2:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/2-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 2:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 2:21" /></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>