God’s Word Translation
Exodus 18:11
11who treated Israel with contempt. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods.”
Exodus 18:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
- New International Version (NIV)Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.”
Context of Exodus 18:11
9Jethro was delighted ⌞to hear⌟ about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the Egyptians. 10He said, “Thank the Lord! He rescued you from the Egyptians and their Pharaoh and rescued these people from the control of the Egyptians, who treated Israel with contempt. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods.” 12Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the leaders of Israel came to eat the meal with Moses’ father-in-law in God’s presence. 13The next day Moses was settling disagreements among the people. The people stood around Moses from morning until evening.
Read all of Exodus 18Exodus 18:11 word by word
עַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּֽי־גָד֥וֹל יְהוָ֖ה מִכָּל־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים כִּ֣י בַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר זָד֖וּ עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Exodus 18:11
- Exodus 9:16But I have spared you for this reason. I want to show you my power and make my name famous throughout the earth.
- 1 Kings 17:24The woman said to Elijah, “Now I’m convinced that you are a man of God and that the Lord’s word from your mouth is true.”
- 2 Kings 5:15Then he and all his men returned to the man of God. Naaman stood in front of Elisha and said, “Now I know that there’s no god in the whole world, except the God of Israel. So please accept a present from me.”
- Exodus 15:11“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord? Who is like you? You are glorious because of your holiness and awe-inspiring because of your splendor. You perform miracles.
- 1 Chronicles 16:25“The Lord is great! He should be highly praised. He should be feared more than all ⌞other⌟ gods
- 2 Chronicles 2:5The temple I am building will be great because our God is greater than all other gods.
- Psalms 95:3The Lord is a great God and a great king above all gods.
- Psalms 97:9You, O Lord, the Most High, are above the whole earth. You are highest. You are above all the gods.
- Psalms 135:5I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all the false gods.
- Exodus 1:10We have to outsmart them, or they’ll increase in number. Then, if war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
- Exodus 5:2Pharaoh asked, “Who is the Lord? Why should I obey him and let Israel go? I don’t know the Lord, and I won’t let Israel go.”
- Exodus 14:8The Lord made Pharaoh (the king of Egypt) so stubborn that he pursued the Israelites, who were boldly leaving Egypt.
- Exodus 9:17You are still blocking my people from leaving.
- Exodus 10:3So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “This is what the Lord God of the Hebrews says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself in my presence? Let my people go to worship me.
- 1 Samuel 2:3“Do not boast ⌞or⌟ let arrogance come out of your mouth because the Lord is a God of knowledge, and he weighs ⌞our⌟ actions.
- Nehemiah 9:10You performed miraculous signs and did amazing things to Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people in his land because you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors. You made a name for yourself, a name which remains to this day.
Commentaries on Exodus 18:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods - Some think that Jethro was now converted to the true God; but it is very probable that he enjoyed this blessing before he knew any thing of Moses, for it is not likely that Moses would have entered into an alliance with this family had they been heathens. Jethro no doubt had the true patriarchal religion. Wherein they dealt proudly - Acting as tyrants over the people of God; enslaving them in the most…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11Greater than all gods - See Exodus 15:11. The words simply indicate a conviction of the incomparable might and majesty of Yahweh. For in above them - i. e. the greatness of Yahweh was shown in those transactions wherein the Egyptians had thought to deal haughtily and cruelly against the Israelites. Jethro refers especially to the destruction of the Egyptian host in the Red Sea.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-12Verses 7-12 Conversation concerning God's wondrous works is good, and edifies. Jethro not only rejoiced in the honour done to his son-in-law, but in all the goodness done to Israel. Standers-by were more affected with the favours God had showed to Israel, than many were who received them. Jethro gave the glory to Israel's God. Whatever we have the joy of, God must have the praise. They joined in a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Mutual friendship is sanctified…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-12Moses had sent his wife and children back to stay with his father-in-law at some point. During the intense confrontation with Pharaoh, Moses might have feared for their lives. Jethro now came to meet Moses and the Israelites, bringing the family of Moses with him (18:2–6). During the visit, Moses gave him a report. Jethro came to trust in the Lord through the testimony of the Lord's work.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-271-5. Jethro ... came ... unto Moses, &c.--It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Israelites were "encamped at the mount of God." And yet they did not reach it till the third month after their departure from Egypt (Ex 19:1, 2; compare De 1:6, 9-15).Read the comment
Topics related to Exodus 18:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Exodus 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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