Jethro in the Bible — The Priest of Midian Who Advised Moses
Jethro was the priest of Midian — the father-in-law of Moses, who sheltered Moses after he fled Egypt, gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage, and kept Moses's flocks for 40 years. When Moses led Israel out of Egypt, Jethro came to meet him in the wilderness. He watched Moses judge the people alone from morning to evening and gave him advice that shaped all subsequent organizational management: appoint capable men to handle smaller cases, reserve only the hardest cases for yourself. Moses listened — and the advice is as sound today as it was 3,500 years ago. Below are 6 key passages from the King James Version (KJV) on this theme.
What does the Bible say about jethro?
Who is Jethro in the Bible? The priest of Midian, father-in-law of Moses — who welcomed Moses as a refugee, gave him his daughter Zipporah as wife, and later gave Moses the most practical leadership advice in the entire Bible: delegate or burn out.
6 Bible Verses About Jethro (KJV)
“Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.”
Exodus 3:1 KJV — The Burning Bush Read Exodus chapter 3 →
“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.”
Exodus 18:9 KJV Read Exodus chapter 18 →
“And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?”
Exodus 18:14 KJV Read Exodus chapter 18 →
“And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.”
Exodus 18:17 KJV Read Exodus chapter 18 →
“Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:”
Exodus 18:21 KJV Read Exodus chapter 18 →
“So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.”
Exodus 18:24 KJV Read Exodus chapter 18 →
Read These Passages in Full Context
Frequently Asked Questions About Jethro in the Bible
- What does the Bible say about jethro?
- Jethro was the priest of Midian — the father-in-law of Moses, who sheltered Moses after he fled Egypt, gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage, and kept Moses's flocks for 40 years. When Moses led Israel out of Egypt, Jethro came to meet him in the wilderness. He watched Moses judge the people alone from morning to evening and gave him advice that shaped all subsequent organizational management: appoint capable men to handle smaller cases, reserve only the hardest cases for yourself. Moses listened — and the advice is as sound today as it was 3,500 years ago. Key KJV passages: Exodus 3:1, Exodus 18:9, Exodus 18:14, Exodus 18:17, Exodus 18:21.
- What are the best Bible verses about jethro?
- The most important KJV passages on jethro include: Exodus 3:1, Exodus 18:9, Exodus 18:14, Exodus 18:17, Exodus 18:21. Read all 6 passages free at The Living Sword Bible — no account, no ads.
- Where in the Bible does it talk about jethro?
- The Bible addresses jethro throughout both Testaments. Key references include Exodus 3:1, Exodus 18:9, Exodus 18:14, Exodus 18:17, Exodus 18:21, Exodus 18:24. Explore every passage in context at thelivingsword.replit.app.
- What does the Old Testament say about jethro?
- Old Testament scriptures on jethro: Exodus 3:1, Exodus 18:9, Exodus 18:14, Exodus 18:17. See them in full context free at The Living Sword.
- How do I study Bible verses about jethro?
- The Living Sword Bible app offers word-by-word study with original Hebrew and Greek, multiple translations (KJV, World English Bible, Geneva Bible, Young's Literal, ASV, Darby), cross-references, and an AI companion that answers only from Scripture. Read all 6 passages on jethro at thelivingsword.replit.app — free, no account, no download required.
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Available translations: King James Version (KJV), World English Bible (WEB), Geneva Bible 1599, Darby Translation, Young's Literal Translation (YLT), American Standard Version (ASV), and the Living Sword Translation.