King James Version

What Does Exodus 4:18 Mean?

Exodus 4:18 in the King James Version says “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 b... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. Jethro: Heb. Jether

Exodus 4:18 · KJV


Context

16

And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

17

And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

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. Jethro: Heb. Jether

19

And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.

20

And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (וַיֵּלֶךְ מֹשֶׁה וַיָּשָׁב אֶל־יֶתֶר חֹתְנוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אֵלְכָה נָּא וְאָשׁוּבָה אֶל־אַחַי אֲשֶׁר־בְּמִצְרַיִם וְאֶרְאֶה הַעוֹדָם חַיִּים וַיֹּאמֶר יִתְרוֹ לְמֹשֶׁה לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם)—Moses returns to Jethro, showing proper honor and requesting release from family obligation. Let me go... and return unto my brethren—Moses frames this as family concern: see whether they be yet alive. He doesn't reveal the burning bush encounter—either from humility, concern Jethro wouldn't understand, or divine instruction to maintain discretion. Go in peace (לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם)—Jethro's blessing releases Moses with שָׁלוֹם (shalom, peace/wholeness). This proper departure contrasts with Moses' flight from Egypt (2:15). God's servants leave well, maintaining relationships and honor.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern culture required adult sons-in-law to request release from family obligations before departing. Moses' courtesy toward Jethro honored his father-in-law and received blessing in return. Jethro will later reunite with Moses (18:1-12), bringing Moses' wife and sons, suggesting their separation was understood as temporary mission, not permanent abandonment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' respectful departure from Jethro model appropriate handling of family and relational obligations when God calls to new mission?
  2. When has God called you to leave a season or place, and how did you honor those relationships while obeying the call?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ1 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְמֹשֶׁ֖ה2 of 23

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙3 of 23

I pray thee and return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל4 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִתְר֛וֹ5 of 23

And Jethro

H3503

jethro, moses' father-in-law

חֹֽתְנ֗וֹ6 of 23

his father in law

H2859

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

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר7 of 23

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙8 of 23
H0
אֵ֣לְכָה9 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נָּ֗א10 of 23
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙11 of 23

I pray thee and return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל12 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַחַ֣י13 of 23

unto my brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֲשֶׁר14 of 23
H834

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

בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם15 of 23

which are in Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְאֶרְאֶ֖ה16 of 23

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הַֽעוֹדָ֣ם17 of 23

whether they be yet

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

חַיִּ֑ים18 of 23

alive

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר19 of 23

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִתְר֛וֹ20 of 23

And Jethro

H3503

jethro, moses' father-in-law

לְמֹשֶׁ֖ה21 of 23

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לֵ֥ךְ22 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃23 of 23

in peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace


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 4:18 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 4:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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