King James Version

What Does Exodus 18:8 Mean?

Exodus 18:8 in the King James Version says “And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them. come: Heb. found them

Exodus 18:8 · KJV


Context

6

And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

7

And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. welfare: Heb. peace

8

And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them. come: Heb. found them

9

And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

10

And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake—Moses' testimony focuses on what 'the LORD had done'—attributing glory to God, not himself. The comprehensive scope ('all that the LORD had done') and specific elements (Pharaoh, Egyptians, 'for Israel's sake') shows detailed recounting of redemptive history. The phrase 'all the travail that had come upon them by the way' includes hardships, not just victories, giving honest account. The conclusion 'and how the LORD delivered them' (וַיַּצִּלֵם יְהוָה, vayatzzilem YHWH) emphasizes divine rescue. This testimony models evangelism: recount what God has done, acknowledge difficulties, emphasize His deliverance. Moses tells redemption story before giving law, showing salvation precedes obedience.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This testimony likely included the ten plagues, Red Sea crossing, manna provision, water from rock, and Amalek victory—a comprehensive salvation history covering approximately one year.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' testimony attributing all to 'the LORD' model proper glory-giving in recounting God's works?
  2. What does including 'travail' alongside victories teach about honest testimony versus triumphalism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיְסַפֵּ֤ר1 of 21

told

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

מֹשֶׁה֙2 of 21

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לְחֹ֣תְנ֔וֹ3 of 21

his father in law

H2859

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

אֵת֩4 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל5 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֤ה7 of 21

had done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָֽה׃8 of 21

all that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְפַרְעֹ֣ה9 of 21

unto Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וּלְמִצְרַ֔יִם10 of 21

and to the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

עַ֖ל11 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אוֹדֹ֣ת12 of 21

sake

H182

turnings (i.e., occasions); (adverb) on account of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל13 of 21

for Israel's

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֵ֤ת14 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל15 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַתְּלָאָה֙16 of 21

and all the travail

H8513

distress

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מְצָאָ֣תַם18 of 21

that had come

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ19 of 21

upon them by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וַיַּצִּלֵ֖ם20 of 21

delivered

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

יְהוָֽה׃21 of 21

all that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 18:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 18:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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