God’s Word Translation
Exodus 18:7
7So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. Moses bowed with his face touching the ground and kissed Jethro. After they asked each other how they were, they went into the tent.
Exodus 18:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent.
Context of Exodus 18:7
5Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought Moses’ sons and wife to Moses in the desert where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6Jethro had sent word to Moses, “I’m coming to ⌞visit⌟ you, ⌞and I’m bringing⌟ your wife and her two sons.” So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. Moses bowed with his face touching the ground and kissed Jethro. After they asked each other how they were, they went into the tent. 8Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel, all the hardships they had had on the way, and how the Lord had saved them. 9Jethro was delighted ⌞to hear⌟ about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the Egyptians.
Read all of Exodus 18Exodus 18:7 word by word
וַיֵּצֵ֨א מֹשֶׁ֜ה לִקְרַ֣את חֹֽתְנ֗וֹ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙ וַיִּשַּׁק־ל֔וֹ וַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ אִישׁ־לְרֵעֵ֖הוּ לְשָׁל֑וֹם וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ הָאֹֽהֱלָה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And Mosesמֹשֶׁהmôsheh · MosesH4872
- went outיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
- to meetקִרְאָהqir'âh · befallH7125
- his father in lawחֹתֵןchâthan · relativeH2859
- and did obeisanceשָׁחָהshâchâh · to bowH7812
- and kissedנָשַׁקnâshaq · to kissH5401
- him; and they askedשָׁאַלshâ'al shâ'êl · to askH7592
- eachאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
- otherרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
- welfareשָׁלוֹםshâlôm shâlôm · peace: well-beingH7965
- and they cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- into the tentאֹ֫הֶל'ôhel · tentH168
Cross-references for Exodus 18:7
- Genesis 14:17After Abram came back from defeating Chedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley).
- Genesis 46:29Joseph prepared his chariot and went to meet his father Israel. As soon as he saw his father, he threw his arms around him and cried on his shoulder a long time.
- Numbers 22:36When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at Ir Moab, in the region of the Arnon Valley, right on the border of Moab.
- Judges 11:34When Jephthah went to his home in Mizpah, he saw his daughter coming out to meet him. She was dancing with tambourines in her hands. She was his only child. Jephthah had no other sons or daughters.
- 1 Kings 2:19Bathsheba went to King Solomon to talk to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to meet her and bowed down in front of her. Then he sat on his throne. He had a throne brought for his mother, and she sat at his right side.
- Acts 28:15Believers in Rome heard that we were coming, so they came as far as the cities of Appius’ Market and Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt encouraged. So we finally arrived in the city of Rome.
- Genesis 18:2Abraham looked up, and suddenly he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them, and he bowed with his face touching the ground.
- Genesis 19:1The two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gateway. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed with his face touching the ground.
- Genesis 33:3He went on ahead of them and bowed seven times with his face touching the ground as he came near his brother.
- Genesis 29:13As soon as Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran to meet him. He hugged and kissed him and brought him into his home. Then Jacob told Laban all that had happened.
- Genesis 31:28You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters. You’ve done a foolish thing.
- Genesis 33:4Then Esau ran to meet Jacob. Esau hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They both cried.
- Genesis 45:15He kissed all his brothers and cried with them. After that his brothers talked with him.
- Psalms 2:12Kiss the Son, or he will become angry and you will die on your way because his anger will burst into flames. Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him.
- Luke 7:45You didn’t give me a kiss. But ever since I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.
- Acts 20:37Everyone cried a lot as they put their arms around Paul and kissed him.
Commentaries on Exodus 18:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7And did obeisance - וישתחו vaiyishtachu, he bowed himself down, (See Clarke's note on Genesis 17:3, and See Clarke's note on Exodus 4:31;); this was the general token of respect. And kissed him; the token of friendship. And they asked each other of their welfare; literally, and they inquired, each man of his neighbor, concerning peace or prosperity; the proof of affectionate intercourse. These three things constitute good breeding and politeness…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7Asked each other of their welfare - Addressed each other with the customary salutation, “Peace be unto you.”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. 7bowed low and kissed him: They asked about each other's well-being. These were typical greetings in that society.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, &c.--Their salutations would be marked by all the warm and social greetings of Oriental friends (see on Ex 4:27)--the one going out to "meet" the other, the "obeisance," the "kiss" on each side of the head, the silent entrance into the tent for consultation; and their conversation ran in the strain that might have been expected of two pious men, rehearsing and listening to a narrative of the wonderful works and…Read the comment
Topics related to Exodus 18:7
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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