Exodus 4:18
"And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law,.... With his flock of sheep he kept, Exo 3:1 , and said unto him: let me go, I pray thee, and return to my brethren which are in Egypt; the Israelites, who were so by nation and religion; as Jethro had been kind and beneficent to him, he did not choose

to leave him without his knowledge and consent, and especially to take away his wife and children without it: and see whether they be yet alive; it seems by this that Moses had heard nothing of them during the forty years he lived in Midian, which may be thought strange, since it was not very far from Egypt; and besides the Midianites traded in Egypt, as we learn from Gen 37:28 but this must be ascribed to the providence of God, that so ordered it, that there should be no intercourse between him and his brethren, that so no step might be taken by them for their deliverance until the set time was come. Moses did not acquaint his father-in-law with the principal reason of his request, nor of his chief end in going into Egypt, which it might not be proper to acquaint him with, he being of another nation, though a good man; and lest he should use any arguments to dissuade Moses from going, who now having got clear of his diffidence and distrust, was determined upon it: though some ascribe this to his modesty in not telling Jethro of the glorious and wonderful appearance of God to him, and of the honour he had conferred on him to be the deliverer and governor of the people of Israel: and Jethro said to Moses, go in peace; he judged his request reasonable, and gave his full consent to it, and wished him health and prosperity in his journey.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (22 words)

H3212 יָלַךְ
Definition:

A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing), A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing),

H4872 משֶׁה
Definition:

10, wheresee also older (abandoned) etymology); —׳מExodus 2:10+משֶׁ֑הExodus 2:15+; name occurs 706 t. in Hexateuch (Exodus 290 t, Leviticus 86 t., Numbers 233 t., Deuteronomy 38 t., Joshua 59 t.),Judg 10, wheresee also older (abandoned) etymology); —׳מExodus 2:10+משֶׁ֑הExodus 2:15+; name occurs 706 t. in Hexateuch (Exodus 290 t, Leviticus 86 t., Numbers 233 t., Deuteronomy 38 t., Joshua 59 t.),Judg

Possible Meanings:
  • Moses (semantic_range)
H7725 שׁוּב
Definition:

33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11: 33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11:

Possible Meanings:
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H3500 יֶתֶר
Definition:

18a (E; probably text error, elsewhereיִתְרוֺ, q. v.)2eldest son of GideonJudges 8:20,ᵐ5Ιεθερ.3father of Amasa1 Kings 2:5,32;1 Chronicles 2:17,ᵐ5Ιεθερ; =יִתְרָא2 Samuel 17:25,ᵐ5Ιοθερ,Ιοθορ;ᵐ5LΙεθερ.4m 18a (E; probably text error, elsewhereיִתְרוֺ, q. v.)2eldest son of GideonJudges 8:20,ᵐ5Ιεθερ.3father of Amasa1 Kings 2:5,32;1 Chronicles 2:17,ᵐ5Ιεθερ; =יִתְרָא2 Samuel 17:25,ᵐ5Ιοθερ,Ιοθορ;ᵐ5LΙεθερ.4m

Possible Meanings:
  • abundance (semantic_range)
H2859 חָתַן
Definition:

1+ 9t.,חֹתֶנְךָExodus 18:6,חֹתְנוֺExodus 3:1+ 9 t.; — usually of Moses'wife's fatherExodus 3:1;Exodus 4:18;Exodus 18:1,2,5,6,7,8,12 (twice in verse);Exodus 18:14;Exodus 18:15;Exodus 18:17;Exodus 18:24 1+ 9t.,חֹתֶנְךָExodus 18:6,חֹתְנוֺExodus 3:1+ 9 t.; — usually of Moses'wife's fatherExodus 3:1;Exodus 4:18;Exodus 18:1,2,5,6,7,8,12 (twice in verse);Exodus 18:14;Exodus 18:15;Exodus 18:17;Exodus 18:24

Possible Meanings:
  • make oneself a daughter's husband (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H3212 יָלַךְ
Definition:

A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing), A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing),

H4994 נָא
Definition:

"I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction -- I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh.NAS Exhaus "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction -- I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh.NAS Exhaus

Possible Meanings:
  • raw (semantic_range)
H7725 שׁוּב
Definition:

33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11: 33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11:

Possible Meanings:
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0251 אָח
Definition:

29+ (Ezekiel 18:10 strike out Co compareᵐ5ᵑ6ᵑ9; Ew Smאַח; Dl BaEz xdefends as =onecompare Assyriana—u) never with article; cstrאֲחִיGenesis 10:21+; suffixאָחִיGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיךָGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיוGe 29+ (Ezekiel 18:10 strike out Co compareᵐ5ᵑ6ᵑ9; Ew Smאַח; Dl BaEz xdefends as =onecompare Assyriana—u) never with article; cstrאֲחִיGenesis 10:21+; suffixאָחִיGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיךָGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיוGe

Possible Meanings:
  • brother (semantic_range)
H0834 אֲשֶׁר
Definition:

1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff 1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff

Possible Meanings:
  • Asher (semantic_range)
  • happy one (semantic_range)
  • Felix (semantic_range)
  • the tribe (semantic_range)
H4714 מִצְרַיִם
Definition:

7,masculineExodus 12:33,masculine pluralGenesis 41:55etc. (see below2),Egypt, Egyptians(Phoenicianמצרם; AssyrianMªƒªr(u), Muƒru, Miƒir, DlPar 308SchrCOT Glossary KGF 246 ff., Tel AmarnaMiƒrî, WklTA 39 7,masculineExodus 12:33,masculine pluralGenesis 41:55etc. (see below2),Egypt, Egyptians(Phoenicianמצרם; AssyrianMªƒªr(u), Muƒru, Miƒir, DlPar 308SchrCOT Glossary KGF 246 ff., Tel AmarnaMiƒrî, WklTA 39

H7200 רָאָה
Definition:

7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas 7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas

Possible Meanings:
  • vision (semantic_range)
H5750 עוֹד
Definition:

FrMM 256)עֹד,substantivea going round, continuance, but used mostly asadverb accusativestill, yet, again, besides: with suffixעוֺדֶנִּי(with apparently verbal form, like׃אֵינֶנִּיOl§ 222 gSta§ 352 bKö FrMM 256)עֹד,substantivea going round, continuance, but used mostly asadverb accusativestill, yet, again, besides: with suffixעוֺדֶנִּי(with apparently verbal form, like׃אֵינֶנִּיOl§ 222 gSta§ 352 bKö

H2416 חַי
Definition:

Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat

H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H3503 יִתְרוֹ
Definition:

1;Exodus 4:18; bExodus 18:1,2,5,6,9,10,12 (all E), =יֶתֶרExodus 4:18; in allᵐ5Ιοθορ.Topical LexiconName and IdentityJethro is introduced as “the priest of Midian” and “the father-in-law of Moses” (Exo 1;Exodus 4:18; bExodus 18:1,2,5,6,9,10,12 (all E), =יֶתֶרExodus 4:18; in allᵐ5Ιοθορ.Topical LexiconName and IdentityJethro is introduced as “the priest of Midian” and “the father-in-law of Moses” (Exo

H4872 משֶׁה
Definition:

10, wheresee also older (abandoned) etymology); —׳מExodus 2:10+משֶׁ֑הExodus 2:15+; name occurs 706 t. in Hexateuch (Exodus 290 t, Leviticus 86 t., Numbers 233 t., Deuteronomy 38 t., Joshua 59 t.),Judg 10, wheresee also older (abandoned) etymology); —׳מExodus 2:10+משֶׁ֑הExodus 2:15+; name occurs 706 t. in Hexateuch (Exodus 290 t, Leviticus 86 t., Numbers 233 t., Deuteronomy 38 t., Joshua 59 t.),Judg

Possible Meanings:
  • Moses (semantic_range)
H3212 יָלַךְ
Definition:

A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing), A primitive root (comparehalak); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) -- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow(-ing),

H7965 שָׁלוֹם
Definition:

13completeness, soundness, welfare, peace(LagBN 174); —׳שׁGenesis 29:6+;שָׁלֹם(rare)Ezekiel 13:16+; constructשְׁלוֺםGenesis 37:14+; suffixשְׁלוֺמִיPsalm 41:10+, etc.; plural (all dubious)שְׁלוֺמִיםJer 13completeness, soundness, welfare, peace(LagBN 174); —׳שׁGenesis 29:6+;שָׁלֹם(rare)Ezekiel 13:16+; constructשְׁלוֺםGenesis 37:14+; suffixשְׁלוֺמִיPsalm 41:10+, etc.; plural (all dubious)שְׁלוֺמִיםJer

Possible Meanings:
  • requital (semantic_range)
  • requital (semantic_range)
  • retribution (semantic_range)
  • reward (semantic_range)
  • bribe (semantic_range)

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