Who were Yitro, Chovav, and Reuel? A Parshanut Study in Tanach

(16) Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock;

(17) but shepherds came and drove them off. Moses rose to their defense, and he watered their flock.

(18) When they returned to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come back so soon today?”

(19) They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock.”

(20) He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why did you leave the man? Ask him in to break bread.”

(21) Moses consented to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah as wife.

(22) She bore a son whom he named Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”

(29) Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD has said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will be generous with you; for the LORD has promised to be generous to Israel.”

(30) “I will not go,” he replied to him, “but will return to my native land.”

(31) He said, “Please do not leave us, inasmuch as you know where we should camp in the wilderness and can be our guide.

(32) So if you come with us, we will extend to you the same bounty that the LORD grants us.”

(33) They marched from the mountain of the LORD a distance of three days. The Ark of the Covenant of the LORD traveled in front of them on that three days’ journey to seek out a resting place for them;

(34) and the LORD’s cloud kept above them by day, as they moved on from camp.

(1) Now Moses, tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, drove the flock into the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

(1) Jethro priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, how the LORD had brought Israel out from Egypt.

(2) So Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after she had been sent home,

(3) and her two sons—of whom one was named Gershom, that is to say, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land”;

(4) and the other was named Eliezer, meaning, “The God of my father was my help, and He delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”

(5) Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought Moses’ sons and wife to him in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God.

(6) He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you, with your wife and her two sons.”

(7) Moses went out to meet his father-in-law; he bowed low and kissed him; each asked after the other’s welfare, and they went into the tent.

(8) Moses then recounted to his father-in-law everything that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had befallen them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.

(9) And Jethro rejoiced over all the kindness that the LORD had shown Israel when He delivered them from the Egyptians.

(10) “Blessed be the LORD,” Jethro said, “who delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

(11) Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, yes, by the result of their very schemes against [the people].”

(12) And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to partake of the meal before God with Moses’ father-in-law.

(13) Next day, Moses sat as magistrate among the people, while the people stood about Moses from morning until evening.

(14) But when Moses’ father-in-law saw how much he had to do for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing to the people? Why do you act alone, while all the people stand about you from morning until evening?”

(15) Moses replied to his father-in-law, “It is because the people come to me to inquire of God.

(16) When they have a dispute, it comes before me, and I decide between one person and another, and I make known the laws and teachings of God.”

(17) But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing you are doing is not right;

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(24) Moses heeded his father-in-law and did just as he had said.

(25) Moses chose capable men out of all Israel, and appointed them heads over the people—chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens;

(26) and they judged the people at all times: the difficult matters they would bring to Moses, and all the minor matters they would decide themselves.

(27) Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way to his own land.

(1) Now he heard the things that Laban’s sons were saying: “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from that which was our father’s he has built up all this wealth.”

(31) Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and they set out together from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan; but when they had come as far as Haran, they settled there.

(1) One day, Jonathan son of Saul said to the attendant who carried his arms, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side”; but he did not tell his father.

(2) Now Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah, under the pomegranate tree at Migron, and the troops with him numbered about 600.

(3) Ahijah son of Ahitub brother of Ichabod son of Phinehas son of Eli, the priest of the LORD at Shiloh, was there bearing an ephod.—The troops did not know that Jonathan had gone.

(4) At the crossing by which Jonathan sought to reach the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on one side, and another rocky crag on the other, the one called Bozez and the other Seneh.

(5) One crag was located on the north, near Michmas, and the other on the south, near Geba.

(6) Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his arms, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf, for nothing prevents the LORD from winning a victory by many or by few.”

(7) His arms-bearer answered him, “Do whatever you like. You go first, I am with you, whatever you decide.”

(8) Jonathan said, “We’ll cross over to those men and let them see us.

(9) If they say to us, ‘Wait until we get to you,’ then we’ll stay where we are, and not go up to them.

(10) But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for the LORD is delivering them into our hands. That shall be our sign.”

(11) They both showed themselves to the Philistine outpost and the Philistines said, “Look, some Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have been hiding.”

(12) The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his arms-bearer, “Come up to us, and we’ll teach you a lesson.” Then Jonathan said to his arms-bearer, “Follow me, for the LORD will deliver them into the hands of Israel.”

(13) And Jonathan clambered up on his hands and feet, his arms-bearer behind him; [the Philistines] fell before Jonathan, and his arms-bearer finished them off behind him.

(14) The initial attack that Jonathan and his arms-bearer made accounted for some twenty men, within a space about half a furrow long [in] an acre of land.

(15) Terror broke out among all the troops both in the camp [and] in the field; the outposts and the raiders were also terrified. The very earth quaked, and a terror from God ensued.

(16) Saul’s scouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw that the multitude was scattering in all directions.

(17) And Saul said to the troops with him, “Take a count and see who has left us.” They took a count and found that Jonathan and his arms-bearer were missing.

(18) Thereupon Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the Ark of God here”; for the Ark of God was at the time among the Israelites.

(19) But while Saul was speaking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp kept increasing; and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

(20) Saul and the troops with him assembled and rushed into battle; they found [the Philistines] in very great confusion, every man’s sword turned against his fellow.

(21) And the Hebrews who had previously sided with the Philistines, who had come up with them in the army [from] round about—they too joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

(22) When all the men of Israel who were hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too pursued them in battle.

(23) Thus the LORD brought victory to Israel that day. The fighting passed beyond Beth-aven.

(24) The men of Israel were distressed that day. For Saul had laid an oath upon the troops: “Cursed be the man who eats any food before night falls and I take revenge on my enemies.” So none of the troops ate anything.

(25) Everybody came to a stack of beehives where some honey had spilled on the ground.

(26) When the troops came to the beehives and found the flow of honey there, no one put his hand to his mouth, for the troops feared the oath.

(27) Jonathan, however, had not heard his father adjure the troops. So he put out the stick he had with him, dipped it into the beehive of honey, and brought his hand back to his mouth; and his eyes lit up.

(28) At this one of the soldiers spoke up, “Your father adjured the troops: ‘Cursed be the man who eats anything this day.’ And so the troops are faint.”

(29) Jonathan answered, “My father has brought trouble on the people. See for yourselves how my eyes lit up when I tasted that bit of honey.

(30) If only the troops had eaten today of spoil captured from the enemy, the defeat of the Philistines would have been greater still!”

(31) They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmas to Aijalon, and the troops were famished.

(32) The troops pounced on the spoil; they took the sheep and cows and calves and slaughtered them on the ground, and the troops ate with the blood.

(33) When it was reported to Saul that the troops were sinning against the LORD, eating with the blood, he said, “You have acted faithlessly. Roll a large stone over to me today.”

(34) And Saul ordered, “Spread out among the troops and tell them that everyone must bring me his ox or his sheep and slaughter it here, and then eat. You must not sin against the LORD and eat with the blood.” Every one of the troops brought his own ox with him that night and slaughtered it there.

(35) Thus Saul set up an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar he erected to the LORD.

(36) Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder among them until the light of morning; and let us not leave a single survivor among them.” “Do whatever you please,” they replied. But the priest said, “Let us approach God here.”

(37) So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hands of Israel?” But this time He did not respond to him.

(38) Then Saul said, “Come forward, all chief officers of the troops, and find out how this guilt was incurred today.

(39) For as the LORD lives who brings victory to Israel, even if it was through my son Jonathan, he shall be put to death!” Not one soldier answered him.

(40) And he said to all the Israelites, “You stand on one side, and my son Jonathan and I shall stand on the other.” The troops said to Saul, “Do as you please.”

(41) Saul then said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Show Thammim.” Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, and the troops were cleared.

(42) And Saul said, “Cast the lots between my son and me”; and Jonathan was indicated.

(43) Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me, what have you done?” And Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a bit of honey with the tip of the stick in my hand. I am ready to die.”

(44) Saul said, “Thus and more may God do: You shall be put to death, Jonathan!”

(45) But the troops said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, after bringing this great victory to Israel? Never! As the LORD lives, not a hair of his head shall fall to the ground! For he brought this day to pass with the help of God.” Thus the troops saved Jonathan and he did not die.

(46) Saul broke off his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their homes.

(47) After Saul had secured his kingship over Israel, he waged war on every side against all his enemies: against the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the Philistines, and the kings of Zobah; and wherever he turned he worsted [them].

(48) He was triumphant, defeating the Amalekites and saving Israel from those who plundered it.

(49) Saul’s sons were: Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were Merab, the older, and Michal, the younger.

(50) The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz; and the name of his army commander was Abiner son of Saul’s uncle Ner.

(51) Kish, Saul’s father, and Ner, Abner’s father, were sons of Abiel.

(52) There was bitter war against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and whenever Saul noticed any stalwart man or warrior, he would take him into his service.

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(1) Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married: “He married a Cushite woman!”

(2) They said, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?” The LORD heard it.

(3) Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any other man on earth.

(4) Suddenly the LORD called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the Tent of Meeting.” So the three of them went out.

(5) The LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stopped at the entrance of the Tent, and called out, “Aaron and Miriam!” The two of them came forward;

(6) and He said, “Hear these My words: When a prophet of the LORD arises among you, I make Myself known to him in a vision, I speak with him in a dream.

(7) Not so with My servant Moses; he is trusted throughout My household.

(8) With him I speak mouth to mouth, plainly and not in riddles, and he beholds the likeness of the LORD. How then did you not shrink from speaking against My servant Moses!”