1
וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע יִתְר֨וֹ כֹהֵ֤ן מִדְיָן֙ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֵת֩ כָּל אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ לְמֹשֶׁ֔ה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַמּ֑וֹ כִּֽי הוֹצִ֧יא יְהוָ֛ה אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם
Jethro, priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people — that YHWH had brought Israel out from Egypt.
The wayyiqtol opens a fresh narrative unit outside the wilderness itinerary of chs. 15-17; the double titling of Jethro (priest, father-in-law) and the summarizing כִּי-clause frame the whole chapter as Jethro's response to news of the exodus.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֞עand he heardQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the chapter's initiating eventשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, hearken'; Jethro's reception of the exodus report — hearing that issues in action (vv.2,5).
יִתְר֨וֹJethroproper noun · יִתְרוֹ (H3503)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַעיִתְרוֹ (H3503), Moses' father-in-law and priest of Midian; probably from יֶתֶר 'abundance, excellence.' Elsewhere called Reuel (Exod 2:18) and Hobab (Num 10:29).
כֹהֵ֤ןpriest ofN m sg constr · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to יִתְרוֹ (title)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest, officiant'; the narrator flags Jethro's priestly office before naming him father-in-law — his standing is religious as well as familial.
מִדְיָן֙Midianproper noun · מִדְיָן (H4080)Genitive complement of כֹהֵן (construct chain)מִדְיָן (H4080), Abraham's son by Keturah (Gen 25:2) and the tribal region east of the Gulf of Aqaba where Moses had fled and married.
חֹתֵ֣ןfather-in-law ofQal ptc m sg constr · חָתַן (H2859)Apposition to יִתְרוֹ (second title)→ Participle used substantivally as a standing relational title, not a punctual actionחָתַן (H2859) Qal ptc 'father-in-law'; Jethro's recurring epithet through the chapter (13x), stressing the family bond framing the reunion.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of חֹתֵן (construct chain)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); the narrative (Exod 2:10) connects it to מָשָׁה 'to draw out,' though the name is probably Egyptian (msy, 'is born').
אֵת֩[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object clause)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the following relative clause as the object of שָׁמַע; untranslated.
כָּלall thatN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head noun of the object clause (construct + relative)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; construct before אֲשֶׁר totalizes the relative clause as a single object — 'everything that.'
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause (object of עָשָׂה)אֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relativizer 'who, which, that'; nominalizes עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים as the content of Jethro's report.
עָשָׂ֤הhad doneQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act viewed as antecedent to Jethro's hearingעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, act'; the chapter's leitmotif verb, used repeatedly of both YHWH's mighty acts and Moses' judicial 'doing.'
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of עָשָׂהאֱלֹהִים (H430), plural of majesty taking a singular verb; the generic divine name used here, matched at the clause's end by the explicit יְהוָה.
לְמֹשֶׁ֔הfor Mosesprep לְ + proper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Indirect object / benefactive complement of עָשָׂהלְ + מֹשֶׁה marks Moses as beneficiary of God's acts — paired with וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל, individual and nation together.
וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לand for Israelconj וּ + prep לְ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Coordinate benefactive complementיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'God strives / he strives with God' (Gen 32:29); the covenant people as corporate beneficiary alongside their leader.
עַמּ֑וֹhis peopleN m sg constr + 3ms suf · עַם (H5971)Apposition to יִשְׂרָאֵלעַם (H5971) 'people, kinsfolk'; the suffix ('his people') marks Israel's possession by God, anticipating the rehearsal of the exodus that follows.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (epexegetical, specifying the 'all')כִּי (H3588), here explicative — unpacks what God 'did': the bringing-out of Israel from Egypt.
הוֹצִ֧יאhe had brought outHiphil perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the כִּי-clause→ Perfective: the decisive, completed act of deliveranceיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out, cause to go out'; the exodus verb par excellence, restated here as the content of the report that draws Jethro to Moses.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הוֹצִיאיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, now supplied explicitly where אֱלֹהִים stood generically above — identifying the doer as Israel's covenant God.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marks יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite direct object of הוֹצִיא.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of הוֹצִיאיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation as recipient of divine deliverance.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Adverbial prepositional phrase of sourceמִצְרַיִם (H4714), dual form ('the two Egypts,' Upper/Lower); מִן marks separation — the exodus's point of departure.
2
וַיִּקַּ֗ח יִתְרוֹ֙ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶת צִפֹּרָ֖ה אֵ֣שֶׁת מֹשֶׁ֑ה אַחַ֖ר שִׁלּוּחֶֽיהָ
Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken in Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her away,
וַיִּקַּח here reports an action prior to the main narrative line — Jethro's earlier reception of Zipporah — functioning as background exposition for the reunion about to be narrated.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּקַּ֗חhad taken inQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause; pluperfect wayyiqtol resuming background)→ Wayyiqtol used pluperfectively: reports a prior action before the narrative catches upלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Jethro receiving his daughter back into his household during Moses' absence in Egypt.
יִתְרוֹ֙Jethroproper noun · יִתְרוֹ (H3503)Subject of וַיִּקַּח
חֹתֵ֣ןfather-in-law ofQal ptc m sg constr · חָתַן (H2859)Apposition to יִתְרוֹ→ Participle as standing title
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of חֹתֵן
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking צִפֹּרָה as definite object.
צִפֹּרָ֖הZipporahproper noun · צִפֹּרָה (H6855)Direct object of וַיִּקַּחצִפֹּרָה (H6855) 'little bird,' Moses' Midianite wife, daughter of Jethro/Reuel (Exod 2:21); left with her father during the Egypt mission (cf. Exod 4:24-26).
אֵ֣שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Apposition to צִפֹּרָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct identifies Zipporah's relation to Moses.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of אֵשֶׁת
אַחַ֖רafterprep אַחַר · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; here temporal, introducing the circumstance of the sending-away.
שִׁלּוּחֶֽיהָher being sent awayN m pl constr + 3fs suf · שִׁלּוּחִים (H7964)Object of prep אַחַרשִׁלּוּחִים (H7964) 'sending away, dismissal' (abstract plural), from שָׁלַח 'to send'; euphemistic for Moses having sent Zipporah to her father, not a divorce.
3
וְאֵ֖ת שְׁנֵ֣י בָנֶ֑יהָ אֲשֶׁ֨ר שֵׁ֤ם הָֽאֶחָד֙ גֵּֽרְשֹׁ֔ם כִּ֣י אָמַ֔ר גֵּ֣ר הָיִ֔יתִי בְּאֶ֖רֶץ נָכְרִיָּֽה
and her two sons — of whom the name of the one was Gershom, for he said, 'I have been a sojourner in a foreign land,'
The etymological aside on Gershom's name is a parenthetical flashback within the background material, explaining Moses' earlier naming (cf. Exod 2:22).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object of וַיִּקַּח, v.2)וְ continues the object list from v.2; אֵת marks שְׁנֵי בָנֶיהָ as a further definite object of 'took.'
שְׁנֵ֣יtwo ofcardinal num m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct numeral governing בָנֶיהָשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct form heads the noun phrase 'her two sons.'
בָנֶ֑יהָher sonsN m pl constr + 3fs suf · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement of שְׁנֵי; object continued from v.2בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, named in vv.3-4.
אֲשֶׁ֨רof whomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the naming clause
שֵׁ֤םthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of the naming clauseשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; introduces the etymological note characteristic of Hebrew birth-naming.
הָֽאֶחָד֙the oneart + cardinal num m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Genitive complement of שֵׁם (subject)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; distinguishes the firstborn from 'the other' (v.4).
גֵּֽרְשֹׁ֔םGershomproper noun · גֵּרְשֹׁם (H1647)Predicate nominative (the name given)גֵּרְשֹׁם (H1647), popularly explained by paronomasia with גֵּר שָׁם 'a sojourner there' — see the following clause and the chapter text_note.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing Moses' explanationכִּי (H3588) causal, grounding the name Gershom in Moses' self-description.
אָמַ֔רhe saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (parenthetical quotative)→ Perfective: reports Moses' remembered explanation, given at the time of namingאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces direct speech explaining the etymology.
גֵּ֣רa sojournerN m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Predicate nominative of הָיִיתִיגֵּר (H1616) 'resident alien, sojourner'; from גּוּר 'to sojourn' — the wordplay basis for גֵּרְשֹׁם ('a sojourner there').
הָיִ֔יתִיI have beenQal perf 1cs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (Moses' quoted words)→ Perfective: Moses' settled self-assessment of his status in Midianהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; copula linking Moses to his sojourner-status.
בְּאֶ֖רֶץin a landprep בְּ + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, country'; indefinite here — Midian viewed as foreign territory.
נָכְרִיָּֽהforeignadj f sg abs · נָכְרִי (H5237)Attributive adjective modifying אֶרֶץנָכְרִי (H5237) 'foreign, strange'; from נֵכָר 'foreignness' — Moses names himself an alien in a land not his own, matching his flight from Egypt (Exod 2:15,22).
4
וְשֵׁ֥ם הָאֶחָ֖ד אֱלִיעֶ֑זֶר כִּֽי אֱלֹהֵ֤י אָבִי֙ בְּעֶזְרִ֔י וַיַּצִּלֵ֖נִי מֵחֶ֥רֶב פַּרְעֹֽה
and the name of the other was Eliezer, for [he said], 'The God of my father was my help, and he delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.'
Balances v.3 with the second son's name and its own confessional etymology, shifting from self-description ('I was a sojourner') to praise ('God was my help').
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְשֵׁ֥םand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of implied naming clause (continues v.3 pattern)שֵׁם (H8034), see v.3 — parallel naming formula for the second son.
הָאֶחָ֖דthe otherart + cardinal num m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Genitive complement of שֵׁםאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; here idiomatic for 'the other (of the two),' echoing v.3's הָאֶחָד for the first.
אֱלִיעֶ֑זֶרEliezerproper noun · אֱלִיעֶזֶר (H461)Predicate nominative (the name given)אֱלִיעֶזֶר (H461) 'my God is help,' from אֵל + עֵזֶר; the etymology is unpacked explicitly in the next clause — see text_note.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the etymological groundכִּי (H3588) causal, as in v.3, grounding the second name in a confession about God.
אֱלֹהֵ֤יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of implicit copular clause (nominal predicate בְּעֶזְרִי)אֱלֹהִים (H430) in construct, 'God of'; the plural-form noun functioning as singular, as regularly of Israel's God.
אָבִי֙my fatherN m sg constr + 1cs suf · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of אֱלֹהֵיאָב (H1) 'father'; likely Amram (Exod 6:20), or ancestrally the patriarchs — the God faithful across generations.
בְּעֶזְרִ֔יwas my helpprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 1cs suf · עֵזֶר (H5828)Predicate complement (nominal clause: 'the God of my father [was] my help')עֵזֶר (H5828) 'help, helper'; the noun behind אֱלִי-עֶזֶר — the confession that gives the son his name.
וַיַּצִּלֵ֖נִיand he delivered meHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 1cs suf · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb (main clause continuing the confession)→ Wayyiqtol: narrated climax of the confession, God's decisive rescueנָצַל (H5337) Hiphil 'to snatch away, deliver, rescue'; a keyword of the chapter (also vv.8,9,10), summarizing YHWH's saving acts toward Moses and Israel alike.
מֵחֶ֥רֶבfrom the sword ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · חֶרֶב (H2719)Adverbial prepositional phrase of source, modifying וַיַּצִּלֵנִיחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; metonymy for lethal violence — Pharaoh's decree/pursuit (Exod 2:15).
פַּרְעֹֽהPharaohproper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive complement of חֶרֶבפַּרְעֹה (H6547), Egyptian title 'great house' used as a royal title in Hebrew; the king from whom Moses had fled.
5
וַיָּבֹ֞א יִתְר֨וֹ חֹתֵ֥ן מֹשֶׁ֛ה וּבָנָ֥יו וְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֑ה אֶל הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר אֲשֶׁר ה֛וּא חֹנֶ֥ה שָׁ֖ם הַ֥ר הָאֱלֹהִֽים
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with Moses' sons and his wife into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the mountain of God.
The narrative returns to the main line with a new wayyiqtol, resuming the report of Jethro's approach begun in v.1, now specifying his traveling party and destination.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיָּבֹ֞אcameQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, new narrative movement)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded advance — the reunion journey beginsבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the chapter's second major wayyiqtol movement, Jethro's arrival at the camp.
יִתְר֨וֹJethroproper noun · יִתְרוֹ (H3503)Subject of וַיָּבֹא
חֹתֵ֥ןfather-in-law ofQal ptc m sg constr · חָתַן (H2859)Apposition to יִתְרוֹ→ Participle as standing title
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of חֹתֵן
וּבָנָ֥יוand his sonsconj וּ + N m pl constr + 3ms suf · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate subject/comitative complement of וַיָּבֹאבֵּן (H1121); Moses' sons Gershom and Eliezer, brought by Jethro along with Zipporah.
וְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹand his wifeconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suf · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinate comitative complementאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; Zipporah, named in v.2.
אֶלtoprep אֶל · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (goal of the journey)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as the destination-person.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prep אֶל
אֶלto/intoprep אֶל · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (second goal, apposed to the first)אֶל (H413) resumed for the place, in apposition — he came both to Moses and into the wilderness where Moses was.
הַמִּדְבָּ֗רthe wildernessart + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Object of prep אֶלמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'; the Sinai/Horeb region where Israel was encamped.
אֲשֶׁרwhererelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a locative clause
ה֛וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of חֹנֶה (resumptive pronoun)הוּא (H1931), independent 3ms pronoun resuming the subject (Moses) inside the relative clause.
חֹנֶ֥הwas encampedQal ptc m sg abs · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate participle (durative, main verb of the relative clause)→ Participle: ongoing, durative situation — Moses' encampment as an existing stateחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp, pitch camp'; describes Israel's stationary camp at the mountain.
שָׁ֖םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb, resuming הַמִּדְבָּרשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; anaphoric adverb pointing back to the wilderness location.
הַ֥רthe mountain ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Apposition to הַמִּדְבָּר / שָׁם (further specifying the location)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; in construct, 'mountain of God' — Horeb/Sinai.
הָאֱלֹהִֽיםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of הַר (construct chain)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with article, 'the God'; 'mountain of God' names Horeb as the site of the burning bush (Exod 3:1) and, soon, the covenant giving.
6
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֲנִ֛י חֹתֶנְךָ֥ יִתְר֖וֹ בָּ֣א אֵלֶ֑יךָ וְאִ֨שְׁתְּךָ֔ וּשְׁנֵ֥י בָנֶ֖יהָ עִמָּֽהּ
And he said to Moses, 'I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you, with your wife and her two sons with her.'
Jethro's message (likely relayed by a messenger) announces his arrival formally before the actual meeting in v.7.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, introducing direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance introducing Jethro's messageאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard speech-introducing verb, opening Jethro's advance announcement.
אֶלtoprep אֶל · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addressee
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prep אֶל
אֲנִ֛יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the nominal clause (emphatic, fronted)אֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun; fronted for emphasis — Jethro identifies himself before Moses even sees him.
חֹתֶנְךָ֥your father-in-lawQal ptc m sg constr + 2ms suf · חָתַן (H2859)Predicate nominative / apposition to אֲנִי→ Participle used substantivally as relational titleחָתַן (H2859), see v.1; with 2ms suffix, 'your father-in-law' — Jethro names his relation to Moses directly.
יִתְר֖וֹJethroproper noun · יִתְרוֹ (H3503)Apposition (proper name identifying the speaker)
בָּ֣אam comingQal ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (present/progressive, main verb of the message)→ Participle: vivid present tense — 'I am [on my way] coming'בּוֹא (H935), see v.5; participle for the imminent, in-progress arrival announced ahead of the actual coming.
אֵלֶ֑יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complement of בָּאאֶל (H413) with 2ms suffix; the message's destination-address to Moses himself.
וְאִ֨שְׁתְּךָ֔and your wifeconj וְ + N f sg constr + 2ms suf · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinate comitative subject continuing the announcementאִשָּׁה (H802), see v.5; Zipporah again identified by relation to Moses.
וּשְׁנֵ֥יand two ofconj וּ + cardinal num m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct numeral governing בָנֶיהָ
בָנֶ֖יהָher sonsN m pl constr + 3fs suf · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement of שְׁנֵי
עִמָּֽהּwith herprep עִם + 3fs suf · עִם (H5973)Comitative prepositional phrase modifying בָנֶיהָעִם (H5973) 'with'; the sons travel accompanying their mother, one traveling party.
7
וַיֵּצֵ֨א מֹשֶׁ֜ה לִקְרַ֣את חֹֽתְנ֗וֹ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֨חוּ֙ וַיִּשַּׁק ל֔וֹ וַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ אִישׁ לְרֵעֵ֖הוּ לְשָׁל֑וֹם וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ הָאֹֽהֱלָה
So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed down and kissed him, and each asked after the other's welfare, and they went into the tent.
A tightly-paced chain of wayyiqtols narrates the courteous reception: going out, bowing, kissing, mutual greeting, and entering the tent — conventional ancient Near Eastern hospitality.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֵּצֵ֨אwent outQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, Moses' response to the announcementיָצָא (H3318) Qal 'to go out'; Moses' courteous act of going out to meet his father-in-law, contrasting with the Hiphil use in v.1 ('bring out').
מֹשֶׁ֜הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיֵּצֵא
לִקְרַ֣אתto meetprep לְ + Qal inf constr · קָרָא (H7125)Purpose infinitival phrase modifying וַיֵּצֵא→ Infinitive construct: purpose of the going outקָרָא (H7125) 'to meet, encounter'; the idiom לִקְרַאת + genitive, 'to meet' — a standard welcome-formula.
חֹֽתְנ֗וֹhis father-in-lawQal ptc m sg constr + 3ms suf · חָתַן (H2859)Object of prep לִקְרַאת→ Participle used substantivallyחָתַן (H2859), see v.1; with 3ms suffix, 'his father-in-law.'
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֨חוּ֙and he bowed downHitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, the physical gesture of respectשָׁחָה (H7812) Hitpael 'to bow down, prostrate oneself'; a gesture of deep respect, here to an honored elder rather than worship.
וַיִּשַּׁקand he kissedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשַׁק (H5401)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceנָשַׁק (H5401) 'to kiss'; customary greeting between kinsmen (cf. Gen 29:13, Laban and Jacob).
ל֔וֹhimprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְIndirect-object complement of וַיִּשַּׁקלְ + suffix marks the recipient of the kiss — Jethro.
וַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּand they askedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (main clause, plural subject 'each other')→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask'; idiomatically 'to ask after (someone's) welfare,' i.e. to greet.
אִישׁeachN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subject (אִישׁ...לְרֵעֵהוּ idiom, 'each...the other')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; paired with לְרֵעֵהוּ forms the reciprocal idiom 'each to his companion' = 'each other.'
לְרֵעֵ֖הוּthe otherprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suf · רֵעַ (H7453)Complement completing the reciprocal idiomרֵעַ (H7453) 'companion, fellow'; with לְ completes 'to his fellow' = 'each other.'
לְשָׁל֑וֹםabout [their] welfareprep לְ + N m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Complement of שָׁאַל (content of the asking)שָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, welfare'; the customary content of a greeting-inquiry — 'asked each other of peace.'
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּand they wentQal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, closing the reunion sceneבּוֹא (H935), see v.5; plural, 'they came' — Moses and Jethro together.
הָאֹֽהֱלָהinto the tentart + N m sg abs + directional ה · אֹהֶל (H168)Adverbial accusative of direction (directional he)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; the directional suffix ה־ marks motion toward — Moses' tent, site of the meal and next day's court session.
8
וַיְסַפֵּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ לְחֹ֣תְנ֔וֹ אֵת֩ כָּל אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה יְהוָה֙ לְפַרְעֹ֣ה וּלְמִצְרַ֔יִם עַ֖ל אוֹדֹ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֵ֤ת כָּל הַתְּלָאָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מְצָאָ֣תַם בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וַיַּצִּלֵ֖ם יְהוָֽה
Then Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that YHWH had done to Pharaoh and to Egypt for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had befallen them on the way, and how YHWH had delivered them.
Moses reciprocates Jethro's news (v.1) with his own firsthand account, structured by two parallel אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר object clauses (God's acts against Egypt; the hardships and deliverance).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיְסַפֵּ֤רrecountedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · סָפַר (H5608)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the report scene proper beginsסָפַר (H5608) Piel 'to recount, tell in detail'; distinct from the general 'hearing' of v.1 — now Moses gives the firsthand account.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיְסַפֵּר
לְחֹ֣תְנ֔וֹto his father-in-lawprep לְ + Qal ptc m sg constr + 3ms suf · חָתַן (H2859)Indirect-object complement of וַיְסַפֵּר→ Participle used substantivallyחָתַן (H2859), see v.1.
אֵת֩[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלall thatN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head noun of the object clause
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun
עָשָׂ֤הhad doneQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: completed divine acts being recounted
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָשָׂה
לְפַרְעֹ֣הto Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Adverbial complement of עָשָׂה (recipient of the acts, i.e. the plagues)
וּלְמִצְרַ֔יִםand to Egyptconj וּ + prep לְ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Coordinate adverbial complement
עַ֖לon account ofprep עַל · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phrase modifying the whole clauseעַל (H5921) 'upon, concerning, on account of'; causal here — the plagues came for the sake of Israel.
אוֹדֹ֣תthe matter ofN f pl constr · אוֹדוֹת (H182)Object of prep עַל (idiom עַל אודות 'concerning')אוֹדוֹת (H182) 'cause, matter, circumstances' (always plural in this idiom); עַל אוֹדוֹת = 'concerning, for the sake of.'
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of אוֹדוֹת
אֵ֤ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (second object of וַיְסַפֵּר)
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head noun of the second object phrase
הַתְּלָאָה֙the hardshipart + N f sg abs · תְּלָאָה (H8513)Governed by כָּל (object)תְּלָאָה (H8513) 'hardship, weariness, trouble,' from לָאָה 'to be weary'; the sum of the wilderness journey's difficulties.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a further relative clause
מְצָאָ֣תַםhad befallen themQal perf 3fs + 3mp suf · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb of the relative clause (subject: the hardship; object: them)→ Perfective: completed encounters with adversity along the wayמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; idiomatically of misfortune 'finding/befalling' someone (subject the trouble, not a person).
בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial locative phrase modifying מְצָאָתַםדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; the wilderness route from Egypt.
וַיַּצִּלֵ֖םand how he delivered themHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suf · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the recounted content)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative climax of Moses' report, echoing his own testimony in v.4נָצַל (H5337), see v.4; the chapter's rescue-keyword recurs, now of the whole nation.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיַּצִּלֵם
9
וַיִּ֣חַדְּ יִתְר֔וֹ עַ֚ל כָּל הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִצִּיל֖וֹ מִיַּ֥ד מִצְרָֽיִם
And Jethro rejoiced over all the good that YHWH had done for Israel, in that he had delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians.
Jethro's joyful response completes the report-cycle begun in v.1, moving from hearing to rejoicing to confession (v.10) — hearing/telling/praising.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּ֣חַדְּand he rejoicedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָדָה (H2302)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, Jethro's emotional responseחָדָה (H2302) 'to rejoice, be glad'; a rare root (elsewhere only Job 3:6), marking Jethro's joy at the report.
יִתְר֔וֹJethroproper noun · יִתְרוֹ (H3503)Subject of וַיִּחַדְּ
עַ֚לoverprep עַל · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, cause of the rejoicingעַל (H5921) here causal, 'over, because of.'
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head noun of the causal phrase
הַטּוֹבָ֔הthe goodart + adj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Governed by כָּל (object of עַל)טוֹב (H2896) 'good, goodness'; substantival adjective, 'the good [that God did]' — the exodus deliverance viewed as benefit.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun
עָשָׂ֥הhad doneQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: completed divine benefaction
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָשָׂה
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לfor Israelprep לְ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Benefactive complement of עָשָׂה
אֲשֶׁ֥רin thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/causal pronoun introducing an explanatory clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) here approaching a causal nuance, 'in that, because' — explicating what the 'good' consisted of.
הִצִּיל֖וֹhe had delivered themHiphil perf 3ms + 3ms suf · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb of the אֲשֶׁר-clause→ Perfective: the completed rescue underlying the 'good'נָצַל (H5337), see v.4; the 3ms suffix agrees with יִשְׂרָאֵל as a collective singular ('him' = 'them').
מִיַּ֥דfrom the hand ofprep מִן + N (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial phrase of source modifying הִצִּילוֹיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'from the hand of' = 'from the power of.'
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of יָד
10
וַיֹּאמֶר֮ יִתְרוֹ֒ בָּר֣וּךְ יְהוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִצִּ֥יל אֶתְכֶ֛ם מִיַּ֥ד מִצְרַ֖יִם וּמִיַּ֣ד פַּרְעֹ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִצִּיל֙ אֶת הָעָ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת יַד מִצְרָֽיִם
And Jethro said, 'Blessed be YHWH, who has delivered you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of Pharaoh, who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.'
Jethro's blessing is structured by anaphoric אֲשֶׁר-clauses praising YHWH's rescuing acts, each naming Egypt/Pharaoh as the defeated oppressor.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֮and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, introducing direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance
יִתְרוֹ֒Jethroproper noun · יִתְרוֹ (H3503)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר
בָּר֣וּךְblessed beQal pass ptc m sg abs · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate (blessing formula, verbless clause with passive participle)→ Passive participle: a declarative benediction, not a narrated actionבָּרַךְ (H1288) Qal passive participle 'blessed'; the classic benediction formula בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה — Jethro's confessional exclamation, the first Gentile in Scripture to bless YHWH by name.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the blessing formula
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a relative clause describing YHWH
הִצִּ֥ילhas deliveredHiphil perf 3ms · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: completed act grounding the praiseנָצַל (H5337), see v.4; repeated three times in this verse — rhetorical anaphora underscoring the totality of the rescue.
אֶתְכֶ֛םyouobj marker + 2mp suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הִצִּיל (Moses and the people addressed directly)אֵת + 2mp suffix; Jethro's speech shifts to direct address, 'you,' as if speaking to the whole community present.
מִיַּ֥דfrom the hand ofprep מִן + N (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial phrase of source
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of יָד
וּמִיַּ֣דand from the hand ofconj וּ + prep מִן + N (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Coordinate adverbial phrase of source
פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohproper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive complement of יָד
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a second relative clause (resumptive)
הִצִּיל֙has deliveredHiphil perf 3ms · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: restates the rescue, now specifying its object as 'the people'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of הִצִּילעַם (H5971) 'people'; corporate Israel, referenced with the article as an already-known entity.
מִתַּ֖חַתfrom underprep מִן + prep תַּחַת · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial phrase of source (compound preposition)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; compounded with מִן, 'from under' — vivid image of being lifted out from beneath oppressive power.
יַדthe hand ofN (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Object of the compound preposition מִתַּחַת
מִצְרָֽיִםthe Egyptiansproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of יָד
11
עַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּֽי גָד֥וֹל יְהוָ֖ה מִכָּל הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים כִּ֣י בַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר זָד֖וּ עֲלֵיהֶֽם
Now I know that YHWH is greater than all gods — indeed, in the very matter in which they dealt arrogantly against them.
עַתָּה יָדַעְתִּי marks the rhetorical peak of Jethro's speech: a comparative confession of YHWH's supremacy over the gods, textually difficult in its final clause (see text_note).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
עַתָּ֣הnowadv · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal adverb (marks the climactic conclusion of Jethro's speech)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; signals Jethro's confessional realization, a rhetorical turning point.
יָדַ֔עְתִּיI knowQal perf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective (present-perfect sense): a settled state of knowledge newly reachedיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Jethro's confession of recognition — moving from hearsay (v.1) to personal conviction.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content of יָדַעְתִּי
גָד֥וֹלgreateradj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Predicate adjective of the nominal clauseגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, greater'; predicate comparative construction with מִכָּל following.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clause
מִכָּלthan allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative complement of גָדוֹלמִן (H4480) here comparative, 'more than'; כֹּל governs הָאֱלֹהִים.
הָאֱלֹהִ֑יםthe godsart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of כָּלאֱלֹהִים (H430) here plural in sense — 'the gods' of the nations, against whom YHWH's supremacy is confessed; contrast the singular sense elsewhere in the chapter.
כִּ֣יindeedconj · כִּי (H3588)Emphatic/asseverative conjunction reinforcing the confessionכִּי (H3588), here asseverative ('indeed') rather than purely causal, resuming and intensifying the preceding כִּי-clause.
בַדָּבָ֔רin the matterprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying the ground of YHWH's greatnessדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; here 'the very affair' — the Egyptians' plotting against Israel.
אֲשֶׁ֥רin whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the qualifying clause
זָד֖וּthey acted arrogantlyQal perf 3cp · זוּד (H2102)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of presumption on Egypt's partזוּד/זִיד (H2102) 'to act presumptuously, boil up, deal arrogantly'; describes Pharaoh's insolent oppression, ironically turned by God into the occasion of his own glory (cf. Ps 76:11).
עֲלֵיהֶֽםagainst themprep עַל + 3mp suf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of זָדוּעַל (H5921) 'against, upon'; the Egyptians' arrogance directed against Israel.
12
וַיִּקַּ֞ח יִתְר֨וֹ חֹתֵ֥ן מֹשֶׁ֛ה עֹלָ֥ה וּזְבָחִ֖ים לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים וַיָּבֹ֨א אַהֲרֹ֜ן וְכֹ֣ל זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֶאֱכָל לֶ֛חֶם עִם חֹתֵ֥ן מֹשֶׁ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י הָאֱלֹהִֽים
Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.
The sacrificial meal, with Aaron and the elders present, formalizes the reconciliation of the report-cycle into cultic fellowship — a notable scene of a non-Israelite priest presiding with/providing sacrifice.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּקַּ֞חtookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance to the sacrificial meal
יִתְר֨וֹJethroproper noun · יִתְרוֹ (H3503)Subject of וַיִּקַּח
חֹתֵ֥ןfather-in-law ofQal ptc m sg constr · חָתַן (H2859)Apposition to יִתְרוֹ→ Participle as standing title
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of חֹתֵן
עֹלָ֥הa burnt offeringN f sg abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Direct object of וַיִּקַּחעֹלָה (H5930) 'burnt offering, holocaust,' from עָלָה 'to go up' (the smoke); wholly consumed on the altar — striking that a Midianite priest presents it.
וּזְבָחִ֖יםand sacrificesconj וּ + N m pl abs · זֶבַח (H2077)Coordinate direct objectזֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice' (a shared, communal offering, distinct from the wholly-burnt עֹלָה); together the two terms cover both worship-types.
לֵֽאלֹהִ֑יםfor Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Benefactive/dative complement of the offerings
וַיָּבֹ֨אand cameQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause; singular verb with compound subject, agreeing with the first-named)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance to the covenant meal
אַהֲרֹ֜ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject of וַיָּבֹא (first of compound subject)אַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother, of uncertain etymology (possibly Egyptian); his participation shows Israel's leadership formally welcoming Jethro.
וְכֹ֣לand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject
זִקְנֵ֣יthe elders ofadj m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Genitive complement of כֹל (substantival adjective)זָקֵן (H2205) 'elder, old man'; Israel's tribal/clan leadership, formally present at a covenant-affirming meal.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of זִקְנֵי
לֶאֱכָלto eatprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָכַל (H398)Purpose infinitival phrase modifying וַיָּבֹא→ Infinitive construct: purposeאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the shared meal ratifies fellowship — a treaty/covenant-meal pattern found elsewhere (e.g. Gen 31:54).
לֶ֛חֶםbreadN (c) sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of the infinitive לֶאֱכָללֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; here generic for 'a meal.'
עִםwithprep עִם · עִם (H5973)Comitative prepositional phrase
חֹתֵ֥ןthe father-in-law ofQal ptc m sg constr · חָתַן (H2859)Object of prep עִם→ Participle used substantivally
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of חֹתֵן
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N (c) pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase modifying the whole sceneפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי, lit. 'to the face of,' idiomatic 'before, in the presence of' — the meal takes on cultic solemnity, eaten in God's presence.
הָאֱלֹהִֽיםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of לִפְנֵי
13
וַיְהִי֙ מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב מֹשֶׁ֖ה לִשְׁפֹּ֣ט אֶת הָעָ֑ם וַיַּעֲמֹ֤ד הָעָם֙ עַל מֹשֶׁ֔ה מִן הַבֹּ֖קֶר עַד הָעָֽרֶב
And it happened on the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from the morning until the evening.
וַיְהִי מִמָּחֳרָת opens the chapter's second major movement: the judicial-burden narrative that will occasion Jethro's counsel (vv.13-26).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיְהִי֙and it happenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (temporal-frame formula introducing a new scene)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, the classic 'and it came to pass' scene-transitionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; the impersonal formula וַיְהִי is a stock scene-opener marking a new day and episode (Moses' judicial burden).
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔תon the next dayprep מִן + N f sg abs · מָחֳרָת (H4283)Temporal adverbial phraseמָחֳרָת (H4283) 'next day, morrow'; from a root meaning 'to be after/behind' — the day following the reunion meal of v.12.
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁבand he satQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; the technical posture of a judge holding court (cf. Deut 17:18).
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיֵּשֶׁב
לִשְׁפֹּ֣טto judgeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁפַט (H8199)Purpose infinitival phrase modifying וַיֵּשֶׁב→ Infinitive construct: purposeשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge, govern, adjudicate'; the chapter's central verb, repeated through vv.13-26 as the burden Jethro will help redistribute.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of the infinitive לִשְׁפֹּט
וַיַּעֲמֹ֤דand stoodQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, depicting the crowd's wearying waitעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; the people standing around Moses all day — the visual image driving Jethro's coming rebuke.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וַיַּעֲמֹד
עַלaroundprep עַל · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) here spatial, 'around, in attendance upon.'
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prep עַל
מִןfromprep מִן · מִן (H4480)Temporal prepositional phrase (start point)
הַבֹּ֖קֶרthe morningart + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Object of prep מִןבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; marks the start of the long day in court.
עַדuntilprep עַד · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (end point)
הָעָֽרֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of prep עַדעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the מִן...עַד frame (morning to evening) emphasizes the sheer duration exhausting Moses.
14
וַיַּרְא֙ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֵ֛ת כָּל אֲשֶׁר ה֥וּא עֹשֶׂ֖ה לָעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מָֽה הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה עֹשֶׂה֙ לָעָ֔ם מַדּ֗וּעַ אַתָּ֤ה יוֹשֵׁב֙ לְבַדֶּ֔ךָ וְכָל הָעָ֛ם נִצָּ֥ב עָלֶ֖יךָ מִן בֹּ֥קֶר עַד עָֽרֶב
When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, 'What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand about you from morning until evening?'
Jethro's double question (מָה...מַדּוּעַ) diagnoses the problem before he proposes the solution in vv.17-23 — a classic wisdom-counsel pattern: observe, question, advise.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
וַיַּרְא֙sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, Jethro's observation triggers his interventionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, observe, perceive'; Jethro's firsthand witnessing of the judicial burden prompts his critique.
חֹתֵ֣ןthe father-in-law ofQal ptc m sg constr · חָתַן (H2859)Subject (apposition, standing title)→ Participle used substantivally as a standing relational title
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of חֹתֵן
אֵ֛ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלall thatN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head noun of the object clause
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun
ה֥וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of עֹשֶׂה (resumptive/emphatic pronoun with participle)
עֹשֶׂ֖הwas doingQal ptc m sg abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate participle (durative, main verb of the relative clause)→ Participle: ongoing, habitual action — Moses' daily judicial routineעָשָׂה (H6213), see v.1; participle marks a repeated, ongoing practice rather than a single deed.
לָעָ֑םfor the peopleprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Benefactive/dative complement of עֹשֶׂה
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, introducing direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance
מָֽהwhatinterrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Predicate/interrogative of the nominal clauseמָה (H4100) 'what'; opens Jethro's rhetorical question of concerned surprise.
הַדָּבָ֤רthingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of the nominal clauseדָּבָר (H1697), see v.11; here concretely 'this thing/practice you are doing.'
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; deictic, pointing at what Jethro has just observed.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a further qualifying clause
אַתָּ֤הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of עֹשֶׂה (emphatic, fronted before the participle)אַתָּה (H859), fronted for emphasis — 'that you [personally] are doing.'
עֹשֶׂה֙are doingQal ptc m sg abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate participle (durative) of the relative clause→ Participle: ongoing action
לָעָ֔םfor the peopleprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Benefactive complement
מַדּ֗וּעַwhyinterrogative adv · מַדּוּעַ (H4069)Interrogative adverb opening the second rhetorical questionמַדּוּעַ (H4069) 'why,' probably from מַה יָדוּעַ 'what is known'; introduces Jethro's pointed question about Moses' isolation.
אַתָּ֤הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of יוֹשֵׁב (emphatic, fronted)
יוֹשֵׁב֙sitQal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate participle (durative)→ Participle: the ongoing, exhausting posture Jethro questionsיָשַׁב (H3427), see v.13; participle stresses the sheer duration of Moses sitting alone in judgment.
לְבַדֶּ֔ךָby yourselfprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suf · בַּד (H905)Adverbial complement of יוֹשֵׁב (manner)בַּד (H905) 'separation, isolation' (only in the idiom לְבַד 'alone'); the crux of Jethro's complaint — Moses bears the burden solo.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject (circumstantial clause)
הָעָ֛םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of כָל / subject of נִצָּב
נִצָּ֥בstandNiphal ptc m sg abs · נָצַב (H5324)Predicate participle of the circumstantial clause→ Participle: the durative, wearying posture of the waiting crowdנָצַב (H5324) Niphal 'to station oneself, stand'; near-synonym of עָמַד (v.13), reinforcing the image of the standing multitude.
עָלֶ֖יךָabout youprep עַל + 2ms suf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of נִצָּב
מִןfromprep מִן · מִן (H4480)Temporal prepositional phrase
בֹּ֥קֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Object of prep מִן
עַדuntilprep עַד · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase
עָֽרֶבeveningN m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of prep עַד
15
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֖ה לְחֹתְנ֑וֹ כִּֽי יָבֹ֥א אֵלַ֛י הָעָ֖ם לִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֱלֹהִֽים
And Moses said to his father-in-law, 'Because the people come to me to inquire of God.'
Moses explains his role as the people's oracular mediator, framing the burden as inherently religious (דרש אלהים), which Jethro will affirm (v.19) while urging delegation for lesser matters.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר
לְחֹתְנ֑וֹto his father-in-lawprep לְ + Qal ptc m sg constr + 3ms suf · חָתַן (H2859)Indirect-object complement→ Participle used substantivally as a standing relational title
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing Moses' explanationכִּי (H3588), causal here — Moses answers Jethro's 'why' with a reason.
יָבֹ֥אcomeQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, habitual present)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — a recurring, habitual practiceבּוֹא (H935), see v.5; imperfect denotes repeated, customary action ('the people keep coming').
אֵלַ֛יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complement of יָבֹא
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of יָבֹא
לִדְרֹ֥שׁto inquire ofprep לְ + Qal inf constr · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Purpose infinitival phrase modifying יָבֹא→ Infinitive construct: purposeדָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, inquire, consult'; technical term for seeking a divine ruling through Moses as mediator.
אֱלֹהִֽיםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of the infinitive לִדְרֹשׁ
16
כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֨ה לָהֶ֤ם דָּבָר֙ בָּ֣א אֵלַ֔י וְשָׁ֣פַטְתִּ֔י בֵּ֥ין אִ֖ישׁ וּבֵ֣ין רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְהוֹדַעְתִּ֛י אֶת חֻקֵּ֥י הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים וְאֶת תּוֹרֹתָֽיו
Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make known the statutes of God and his laws.
Moses further describes his judicial-teaching role in gnomic weqatal forms describing habitual practice — setting up Jethro's critique that this is unsustainable for one man alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּֽיwheneverconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction opening a general clauseכִּי (H3588), here temporal/conditional, 'whenever' — generalizing a habitual scenario.
יִהְיֶ֨הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, habitual)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — recurring occurrenceהָיָה (H1961), see v.13; here existential, 'there arises/is.'
לָהֶ֤םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suf · לְDative-possessive complement ('they have')לְ + suffix, possessive dative idiom, 'they have a matter.'
דָּבָר֙a matter/disputeN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of יִהְיֶהדָּבָר (H1697), see v.11; here 'a case, a legal matter.'
בָּ֣אit comesQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (second clause, habitual perfect)→ Perfective used gnomically: describes a repeated general truthבּוֹא (H935), see v.5.
אֵלַ֔יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complement of בָּא
וְשָׁ֣פַטְתִּ֔יand I judgeQal weqatal 1cs · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (main clause, habitual weqatal continuing the gnomic sequence)→ Weqatal: habitual/iterative continuation — Moses' regular judicial practiceשָׁפַט (H8199), see v.13; weqatal marks the customary sequel to the people's coming.
בֵּ֥יןbetweenprep בֵּין · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase (first member of בֵּין...וּבֵין pair)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; correlative 'between...and between' = 'between X and Y.'
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Object of first בֵּין
וּבֵ֣יןand betweenconj וּ + prep בֵּין · בֵּין (H996)Second member of the correlative pair
רֵעֵ֑הוּhis neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suf · רֵעַ (H7453)Object of the second בֵּיןרֵעַ (H7453), see v.7.
וְהוֹדַעְתִּ֛יand I make knownHiphil weqatal 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the habitual sequence)→ Weqatal: habitual continuationיָדַע (H3045) Hiphil 'to cause to know, make known'; Moses' teaching function alongside his judging.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
חֻקֵּ֥יthe statutes ofN m pl constr · חֹק (H2706)Direct object of וְהוֹדַעְתִּיחֹק (H2706) 'statute, decree,' from חָקַק 'to inscribe'; fixed enactments.
הָאֱלֹהִ֖יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of חֻקֵּי
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)
תּוֹרֹתָֽיוhis laws/teachingsN f pl constr + 3ms suf · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Coordinate direct objectתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law, teaching,' from יָרָה 'to direct, teach'; plural for the body of divine rulings mediated through Moses — anticipating Sinai's formal תּוֹרָה (Exod 19ff.).
17
וַיֹּ֛אמֶר חֹתֵ֥ן מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֵלָ֑יו לֹא טוֹב֙ הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֖ה עֹשֶֽׂה
But Moses' father-in-law said to him, 'The thing that you are doing is not good.'
Jethro's terse verdict (לֹא טוֹב) opens the formal counsel section, structurally echoed by other 'not good' judgments in wisdom literature (cf. Prov 25:27).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֛אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, Jethro's counsel begins
חֹתֵ֥ןthe father-in-law ofQal ptc m sg constr · חָתַן (H2859)Subject (apposition, standing title)→ Participle used substantivally as a standing relational title
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of חֹתֵן
אֵלָ֑יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complement of וַיֹּאמֶר
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the predicate adjective טוֹבלֹא (H3808), the standard verbal/adjectival negator.
טוֹב֙goodadj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjective of the nominal clauseטוֹב (H2896), see v.9; here negated — Jethro's blunt verdict on Moses' practice.
הַדָּבָ֔רthe thingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of the nominal clause
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the qualifying clause
אַתָּ֖הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of עֹשֶׂה (emphatic)
עֹשֶֽׂהare doingQal ptc m sg abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate participle (durative) of the relative clause→ Participle: ongoing practice under critique
18
נָבֹ֣ל תִּבֹּ֔ל גַּם אַתָּ֕ה גַּם הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עִמָּ֑ךְ כִּֽי כָבֵ֤ד מִמְּךָ֙ הַדָּבָ֔ר לֹא תוּכַ֥ל עֲשֹׂ֖הוּ לְבַדֶּֽךָ
You will surely wear yourself out, both you and this people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you are not able to do it alone.
The paronomastic infinitive absolute (נָבֹל תִּבֹּל) gives Jethro's warning maximal rhetorical force; the correlative גַּם...גַּם broadens the concern beyond Moses to the whole people's welfare.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
נָבֹ֣לsurelyQal inf abs · נָבֵל (H5034)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb→ Infinitive absolute + imperfect: emphatic construction — 'you will utterly wear away'נָבֵל (H5034) 'to wither, wear out, fade, be worthless'; the infinitive-absolute-plus-finite-verb pattern intensifies the certainty and completeness of the coming exhaustion.
תִּבֹּ֔לyou will wear awayQal impf 2ms · נָבֵל (H5034)Predicate verb (main clause), intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol: future/certain outcome — the necessary consequence Jethro predictsנָבֵל (H5034), same root as the prior word; the finite verb completing the emphatic construction — Moses will 'wither away' under the burden.
גַּםbothadv · גַּם (H1571)Focus/additive adverb, first of a correlative pair (גַּם...גַּם)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; correlative גַּם...גַּם = 'both...and' — includes the people's exhaustion alongside Moses'.
אַתָּ֕הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (first member of the correlative pair)
גַּםandadv · גַּם (H1571)Second member of the correlative pair
הָעָ֥םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Coordinate subject (second member)
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעָם
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a qualifying clause
עִמָּ֑ךְare with youprep עִם + 2fs suf · עִם (H5973)Predicate complement of the relative clauseעִם (H5973) 'with'; the suffix here is the older 2ms ־ָךְ spelling (not feminine), 'with you.'
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for the warning
כָבֵ֤דtoo heavyadj m sg abs · כָּבֵד (H3515)Predicate adjective of the nominal clauseכָּבֵד (H3515) 'heavy, weighty, burdensome'; picks up the chapter's burden-motif (cf. כָּבֵד of Moses' own speech, Exod 4:10).
מִמְּךָ֙for youprep מִן + 2ms suf · מִן (H4480)Comparative complement of כָבֵד ('too heavy from/for you')מִן (H4480) comparative, 'more than, too much for' — idiom for something exceeding one's capacity.
הַדָּבָ֔רthe matterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of the nominal clause
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תוּכַל
תוּכַ֥לyou are ableQal impf 2ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal — ability/capacity negatedיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; negated modal verb, stating Moses' incapacity to sustain the task solo.
עֲשֹׂ֖הוּto do itQal inf constr + 3ms suf · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complementary infinitival object of תוּכַל→ Infinitive construct: the action Moses cannot sustainעָשָׂה (H6213), see v.1; with 3ms suffix, 'to do it' (referring back to הַדָּבָר).
לְבַדֶּֽךָby yourselfprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suf · בַּד (H905)Adverbial complement (manner)בַּד (H905), see v.14 — repetition of the 'alone' idiom underscores Jethro's core diagnosis.
19
עַתָּ֞ה שְׁמַ֤ע בְּקֹלִי֙ אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔ וִיהִ֥י אֱלֹהִ֖ים עִמָּ֑ךְ הֱיֵ֧ה אַתָּ֣ה לָעָ֗ם מ֚וּל הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְהֵבֵאתָ֥ אַתָּ֛ה אֶת הַדְּבָרִ֖ים אֶל הָאֱלֹהִֽים
Now listen to me; I will advise you, and may God be with you: you be the people's representative before God, and you bring the matters to God,
Jethro's counsel opens with a chain of imperatives/jussives (שְׁמַע, וִיהִי, הֱיֵה) before vv.20-23 lay out the practical delegation plan; Moses retains the core mediatorial task (bringing 'the matters' to God).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
עַתָּ֞הnowadv · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal adverb marking the transition to counsel/advice
שְׁמַ֤עlistenQal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, imperative)→ Volitional (imperative): direct exhortation to heed the coming adviceשָׁמַע (H8085), see v.1; imperative, appropriately echoing the chapter's opening verb — Moses is asked to 'hear' as Jethro once 'heard.'
בְּקֹלִי֙to my voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 1cs suf · קוֹל (H6963)Complement of שְׁמַעקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; idiom שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל 'to obey/heed (someone's) voice.'
אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔let me advise youQal impf 1cs + 2ms suf · יָעַץ (H3289)Predicate verb (main clause, volitive/cohortative sense)→ Yiqtol with cohortative force: Jethro's proposed counselיָעַץ (H3289) 'to advise, counsel'; names Jethro's whole speech-act, casting him informally as counselor.
וִיהִ֥יand may he beconj וִ + Qal jussive 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, jussive/optative)→ Jussive: a wish/prayer accompanying the counselהָיָה (H1961), see v.13; jussive — Jethro's benediction that God's presence will attend Moses regardless of the practical reform.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וִיהִי
עִמָּ֑ךְwith youprep עִם + 2fs suf · עִם (H5973)Predicate complement of וִיהִי
הֱיֵ֧הbeQal impv 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, imperative — first concrete directive)→ Volitional (imperative): the substance of the counsel beginsהָיָה (H1961), imperative — 'you, be [the people's representative].'
אַתָּ֣הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, resuming/reinforcing the imperative's addressee)
לָעָ֗םfor the peopleprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Complement of הֱיֵה (role/function)
מ֚וּלopposite/beforeprep מוּל · מוּל (H4136)Locative prepositional phrase (Moses' position relative to God)מוּל (H4136) 'in front of, opposite'; Moses stands as intermediary facing God on the people's behalf.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of prep מוּל
וְהֵבֵאתָ֥and you bringHiphil weqatal 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the directive sequence)→ Weqatal: continuation of the imperative sequence — Moses' ongoing dutyבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; Moses retains the role of bringing the people's cases to God — the irreducible, non-delegable part of his mediatorship.
אַתָּ֛הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, resumed)
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדְּבָרִ֖יםthe mattersart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וְהֵבֵאתָדָּבָר (H1697), see v.11; plural 'the cases' — the hard cases Moses alone will still adjudicate before God.
אֶלtoprep אֶל · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase
הָאֱלֹהִֽיםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of prep אֶל
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וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֣ה אֶתְהֶ֔ם אֶת הַחֻקִּ֖ים וְאֶת הַתּוֹרֹ֑ת וְהוֹדַעְתָּ֣ לָהֶ֗ם אֶת הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ יֵ֣לְכוּ בָ֔הּ וְאֶת הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲשֽׂוּן
and you shall warn them of the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.
The weqatal chain (וְהִזְהַרְתָּה, וְהוֹדַעְתָּ) continues Moses' irreducible teaching function — instruction in law and conduct — distinguished from the judging of routine cases about to be delegated in vv.21-22.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֣הand you shall warn/instructHiphil weqatal 2ms · זָהַר (H2094)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the directive sequence)→ Weqatal: continuation of Moses' ongoing teaching dutyזָהַר (H2094) Hiphil 'to warn, teach, admonish, enlighten'; authoritative instruction in divine requirements, distinct from mere information-giving.
אֶתְהֶ֔םthemobj marker + 3mp suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְהִזְהַרְתָּה
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (second object, specifying the content warned about)
הַחֻקִּ֖יםthe statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Direct object specifying the content warned aboutחֹק (H2706), see v.16.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
הַתּוֹרֹ֑תthe lawsart + N f pl abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Coordinate direct objectתּוֹרָה (H8451), see v.16.
וְהוֹדַעְתָּ֣and make knownHiphil weqatal 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: continuationיָדַע (H3045), see v.16.
לָהֶ֗םto themprep לְ + 3mp suf · לְIndirect object of וְהוֹדַעְתָּ
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙the wayart + N (c) sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Direct object of וְהוֹדַעְתָּדֶּרֶךְ (H1870), see v.8; here metaphorical, 'way of life/conduct.'
יֵ֣לְכוּthey must walkQal impf 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the relative clause (modal, obligatory sense)→ Yiqtol: modal — obligation/necessityהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; metaphor for conduct of life, matching דֶּרֶךְ.
בָ֔הּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suf · בְּAdverbial complement of יֵלְכוּ (resuming הַדֶּרֶךְ)
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֖הthe workart + N m sg abs · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Coordinate direct object of וְהוֹדַעְתָּמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'deed, work, practice,' from עָשָׂה; the required conduct, complementing 'the way.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the qualifying clause
יַעֲשֽׂוּןthey must doQal impf 3mp + paragogic nun · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause (modal, obligatory)→ Yiqtol (with paragogic nun, emphatic): modal — obligationעָשָׂה (H6213), see v.1; the paragogic ן lends emphasis/solemnity to the imperfect, common in elevated legal register.
21
וְאַתָּ֣ה תֶחֱזֶ֣ה מִכָּל הָ֠עָם אַנְשֵׁי חַ֜יִל יִרְאֵ֧י אֱלֹהִ֛ים אַנְשֵׁ֥י אֱמֶ֖ת שֹׂ֣נְאֵי בָ֑צַע וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ עֲלֵהֶ֗ם שָׂרֵ֤י אֲלָפִים֙ שָׂרֵ֣י מֵא֔וֹת שָׂרֵ֥י חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י עֲשָׂרֹֽת
But you shall select out of all the people able men, who fear God, men of truth, who hate dishonest gain, and place them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
The fourfold qualifications (able, God-fearing, truthful, bribery-hating) and fourfold hierarchy (thousands/hundreds/fifties/tens) form Jethro's central administrative proposal, later implemented nearly verbatim in v.25 and echoed in Deut 1:9-17.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְאַתָּ֣הand youconj וְ + independent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, fronted, contrastive with the delegated officers)אַתָּה (H859), fronted with וְ adversative/contrastive — 'but as for you' — Moses' selecting role, distinct from the officers' judging role.
תֶחֱזֶ֣הyou shall select/see outQal impf 2ms · חָזָה (H2372)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/injunctive — the directive properחָזָה (H2372) 'to see, perceive, select' (often visionary 'seeing,' here practical discernment); Moses is to exercise discerning judgment in choosing officers.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase modifying אַנְשֵׁי חַיִל
הָ֠עָםthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of כָּל
אַנְשֵׁיmen ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of תֶחֱזֶה (head of the qualifications list)אִישׁ (H376), see v.7; plural construct opening a fourfold qualifications list for the officers.
חַ֜יִלabilityN m sg abs · חַיִל (H2428)Genitive complement of אַנְשֵׁי (first qualification)חַיִל (H2428) 'strength, capability, valor, wealth'; here 'capable, able' — competence for leadership/judgment.
יִרְאֵ֧יwho fearadj m pl constr · יָרֵא (H3373)Second attributive qualifier (in apposition to אַנְשֵׁי חַיִל)יָרֵא (H3373) 'fearing' (participial adjective), from יָרֵא 'to fear'; second qualification — reverence for God, the moral-religious foundation of the office.
אֱלֹהִ֛יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of יִרְאֵי
אַנְשֵׁ֥יmen ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Third qualifier, coordinate with the list
אֱמֶ֖תtruthN f sg abs · אֱמֶת (H571)Genitive complement of אַנְשֵׁי (third qualification)אֱמֶת (H571) 'truth, faithfulness, reliability'; third qualification — trustworthy integrity in judgment.
שֹׂ֣נְאֵיwho hateQal ptc m pl constr · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Fourth attributive qualifier (participle in construct)→ Participle used substantivally/adjectivally: a settled moral dispositionשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; fourth and climactic qualification — aversion to bribery, the classic judicial vice (cf. Deut 16:19).
בָ֑צַעunjust gainN m sg abs · בֶּצַע (H1215)Genitive complement of שֹׂנְאֵיבֶּצַע (H1215) 'unjust gain, profit, plunder'; hating בֶּצַע rules out corrupt, bribe-driven judgment.
וְשַׂמְתָּ֣and you shall appointQal weqatal 2ms · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the directive)→ Weqatal: continuation of the injunctive sequenceשׂוּם (H7760) 'to put, place, appoint'; the act of installing the selected men into office.
עֲלֵהֶ֗םover themprep עַל + 3mp suf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of וְשַׂמְתָּ (position of authority)
שָׂרֵ֤יrulers ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Object complement of וְשַׂמְתָּ (predicate of appointment)שַׂר (H8269) 'chief, official, ruler'; heads the fourfold administrative hierarchy that follows.
אֲלָפִים֙thousandscardinal num (c) pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵיאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand' (also 'clan/military unit'); the largest unit in the hierarchy, possibly a tribal-clan grouping rather than a literal 1,000.
שָׂרֵ֣יrulers ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinate object complement
מֵא֔וֹתhundredscardinal num (c) pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵימֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred.'
שָׂרֵ֥יrulers ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinate object complement
חֲמִשִּׁ֖יםfiftiescardinal num (c) pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵיחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty.'
וְשָׂרֵ֥יand rulers ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinate object complement
עֲשָׂרֹֽתtenscardinal num m pl abs · עֲשָׂרָה (H6235)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵיעֲשָׂרָה (H6235) 'ten'; the smallest unit, forming with the others a graded four-tier hierarchy (cf. its echo in Deut 1:15).
22
וְשָׁפְט֣וּ אֶת הָעָם֮ בְּכָל עֵת֒ וְהָיָ֞ה כָּל הַדָּבָ֤ר הַגָּדֹל֙ יָבִ֣יאוּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְכָל הַדָּבָ֥ר הַקָּטֹ֖ן יִשְׁפְּטוּ הֵ֑ם וְהָקֵל֙ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ וְנָשְׂא֖וּ אִתָּֽךְ
And let them judge the people at all times; every major matter they shall bring to you, but every minor matter they themselves shall judge; so it will be easier for you, and they will bear [the burden] with you.
A casuistic rule (וְהָיָה...) distributes cases by weight/difficulty, formalizing a two-tier judiciary; the closing result clauses (הָקֵל...וְנָשְׂאוּ) state the counsel's rationale explicitly.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְשָׁפְט֣וּand let them judgeQal weqatal 3cp · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the directive sequence with 3cp subject — the new officers)→ Weqatal: injunctive continuation — the officers' ongoing dutyשָׁפַט (H8199), see v.13; now with plural subject, the delegated officers taking over routine judging.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָעָם֮the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וְשָׁפְטוּ
בְּכָלat allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Temporal prepositional phrase
עֵת֒timesN (c) sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Genitive complement of כָלעֵת (H6256) 'time, occasion'; 'at all times' — continuous availability of the lower courts, contrasted with Moses' single daily session (v.13).
וְהָיָ֞הand it shall be [that]Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, formulaic introducing a procedural rule)→ Weqatal: introduces the procedural principle to followהָיָה (H1961), see v.13; formulaic 'and it shall be' opening a case-rule.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (head of the conditional topic)
הַדָּבָ֤רmatterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive-equivalent noun governed by כָּל
הַגָּדֹל֙great/majorart + adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הַדָּבָרגָּדוֹל (H1419), see v.11; 'great matter' = a difficult or weighty case reserved for Moses.
יָבִ֣יאוּthey shall bringHiphil impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/injunctive — the required procedureבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil, see v.19; the officers' duty to escalate hard cases.
אֵלֶ֔יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complement of יָבִיאוּ
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject (second topic)
הַדָּבָ֥רmatterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive-equivalent noun governed by כָל
הַקָּטֹ֖ןsmall/minorart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive adjective modifying הַדָּבָרקָטֹן (H6996) 'small, minor'; contrasted with גָּדוֹל, the routine cases left to the officers.
יִשְׁפְּטוּthey shall judgeQal impf 3mp · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/injunctiveשָׁפַט (H8199), see v.13.
הֵ֑םthey themselvesindependent pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Emphatic resumptive pronoun, subject of יִשְׁפְּטוּהֵם (H1992), emphatic — stresses that the officers, not Moses, handle the minor cases.
וְהָקֵל֙and it will be lighterconj וְ + Hiphil impv 2ms · קָלַל (H7043)Predicate verb (main clause, result)→ Weqatal (causative-stative): the resulting relief for Mosesקָלַל (H7043) Hiphil 'to lighten, make light'; direct antonym of כָּבֵד ('heavy,' v.18) — the delegation's intended effect.
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָfrom upon youprep מִן + prep עַל + 2ms suf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of וְהָקֵל (source of relief)עַל (H5921) with מִן, 'from upon you' — the burden's weight lifted off Moses specifically.
וְנָשְׂא֖וּand they will bearQal weqatal 3cp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause, result)→ Weqatal: continuing the resultative sequenceנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the officers now share the load Moses alone had carried.
אִתָּֽךְwith youprep אֵת (אִתְּ) + 2fs suf · אֵת (אִתְּ) (H854)Comitative complement of וְנָשְׂאוּאֵת/אִתְּ (H854) 'with' (comitative, distinct from the object-marker אֵת H853); 'bear [it] with you' — shared responsibility, the counsel's goal.
23
אִ֣ם אֶת הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה וְצִוְּךָ֣ אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְיָֽכָלְתָּ֖ עֲמֹ֑ד וְגַם֙ כָּל הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה עַל מְקֹמ֖וֹ יָבֹ֥א בְשָׁלֽוֹם
If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.
Jethro closes his counsel by subordinating it to divine sanction (אִם...וְצִוְּךָ אֱלֹהִים) and naming the intended outcome — sustainable leadership and communal peace — before Moses' compliance is narrated in v.24.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אִ֣םifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction opening the closing conditionאִם (H518) 'if'; frames the whole counsel as contingent on divine approval, not Jethro's authority alone.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדָּבָ֤רthingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of תַּעֲשֶׂה
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָר
תַּעֲשֶׂ֔הyou doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the conditional clause→ Yiqtol: conditional/future
וְצִוְּךָ֣and commands youPiel weqatal 3ms + 2ms suf · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (second, coordinate condition)→ Weqatal continuing the conditional protasisצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; Jethro subordinates his own advice to divine ratification — a notably humble qualification.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וְצִוְּךָ
וְיָֽכָלְתָּ֖then you will be ableQal weqatal 2ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (apodosis of the conditional)→ Weqatal: consequent result of the fulfilled conditionיָכֹל (H3201), see v.18; here positively, the reversal of Moses' earlier inability (לֹא תוּכַל).
עֲמֹ֑דto endure/standQal inf constr · עָמַד (H5975)Complementary infinitival object of וְיָכָלְתָּ→ Infinitive construct: the sustained capacity in viewעָמַד (H5975), see v.13; here metaphorical, 'to hold up, endure, remain standing' under the ongoing responsibility.
וְגַם֙and alsoconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverb introducing a further consequenceגַּם (H1571), see v.18; extends the benefit from Moses to the whole people.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head noun of the subject phrase
הָעָ֣םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of כָל / subject of יָבֹא
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעָם
עַלtoprep עַל · עַל (H5921)Directional/locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) here directional, 'to, unto' (idiomatic with מָקוֹם).
מְקֹמ֖וֹits placeN m sg constr + 3ms suf · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of prep עַלמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; here 'their [own] place' — home, or simply their proper destination.
יָבֹ֥אwill go/comeQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, singular verb with collective subject כָּל הָעָם)→ Yiqtol: future consequenceבּוֹא (H935), see v.5; here with collective singular agreement (כל used with a singular verb).
בְשָׁלֽוֹםin peaceprep בְּ + N m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Adverbial complement of manner modifying יָבֹאשָׁלוֹם (H7965), see v.7; here 'in peace/soundly' — the counsel's ultimate aim, communal well-being sustained by just and sustainable governance.
24
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע מֹשֶׁ֖ה לְק֣וֹל חֹתְנ֑וֹ וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָמָֽר
So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.
A concise summary statement resolves the counsel scene: full compliance (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר אָמָר), before the following verses narrate the concrete implementation.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥עlistenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — Moses' complianceשָׁמַע (H8085), see v.1; frames Moses as an exemplary hearer, echoing Jethro's own hearing at the chapter's start and his imperative שְׁמַע in v.19.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַע
לְק֣וֹלto the voice ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Complement of וַיִּשְׁמַעקוֹל (H6963), see v.19.
חֹתְנ֑וֹhis father-in-lawQal ptc m sg constr + 3ms suf · חָתַן (H2859)Genitive complement of קוֹל→ Participle used substantivally as a standing relational title
וַיַּ֕עַשׂand he didQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — obedience translated into actionעָשָׂה (H6213), see v.1; Moses' compliance completes the report-counsel-obedience arc of the chapter.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object of וַיַּעַשׂ
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun
אָמָֽרhe had saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: the counsel already spoken, now fully enactedאָמַר (H559), see v.6.
25
וַיִּבְחַ֨ר מֹשֶׁ֤ה אַנְשֵׁי חַ֨יִל֙ מִכָּל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם רָאשִׁ֖ים עַל הָעָ֑ם שָׂרֵ֤י אֲלָפִים֙ שָׂרֵ֣י מֵא֔וֹת שָׂרֵ֥י חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י עֲשָׂרֹֽת
So Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
The narrative restates Jethro's fourfold hierarchy (v.21) almost verbatim as accomplished fact, confirming exact compliance with the counsel.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּבְחַ֨רchoseQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — implementation of the counselבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select'; enacts Jethro's תֶחֱזֶה (v.21) in narrative form.
מֹשֶׁ֤הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּבְחַר
אַנְשֵׁיmen ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of וַיִּבְחַר
חַ֨יִל֙abilityN m sg abs · חַיִל (H2428)Genitive complement of אַנְשֵׁיחַיִל (H2428), see v.21; only the first of the four qualifications is restated — a summarizing compression.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of כָּל
וַיִּתֵּ֥ןand gave/madeQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, place, appoint'; enacts Jethro's וְשַׂמְתָּ (v.21).
אֹתָ֛םthemobj marker + 3mp suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּן
רָאשִׁ֖יםheadsN m pl abs · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Object complement of וַיִּתֵּן (predicate of appointment)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head, chief'; synonym for שַׂר used in the narrative summary before the fourfold titles are itemized.
עַלoverprep עַל · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of authority
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of prep עַל
שָׂרֵ֤יrulers ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Apposition to רָאשִׁים (specifying the titles)
אֲלָפִים֙thousandscardinal num (c) pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵי
שָׂרֵ֣יrulers ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinate apposition
מֵא֔וֹתhundredscardinal num (c) pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵי
שָׂרֵ֥יrulers ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinate apposition
חֲמִשִּׁ֖יםfiftiescardinal num (c) pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵי
וְשָׂרֵ֥יand rulers ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Coordinate apposition
עֲשָׂרֹֽתtenscardinal num m pl abs · עֲשָׂרָה (H6235)Genitive complement of שָׂרֵי
26
וְשָׁפְט֥וּ אֶת הָעָ֖ם בְּכָל עֵ֑ת אֶת הַדָּבָ֤ר הַקָּשֶׁה֙ יְבִיא֣וּן אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה וְכָל הַדָּבָ֥ר הַקָּטֹ֖ן יִשְׁפּוּט֥וּ הֵֽם
And they judged the people at all times; the hard matter they would bring to Moses, but every minor matter they themselves would judge.
Confirms the two-tier judicial system (v.22's proposal) as durably established practice, using near-identical but stylistically varied vocabulary (קָשֶׁה for גָּדוֹל; paragogic נ forms) typical of narrative recapitulation.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְשָׁפְט֥וּand they judgedQal weqatal 3cp · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (main clause, narrating the officers' ongoing practice)→ Weqatal used in narrative report of habitual/customary actionשָׁפַט (H8199), see v.13; the implementation confirmed as ongoing practice.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וְשָׁפְטוּ
בְּכָלat allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Temporal prepositional phrase
עֵ֑תtimesN (c) sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Genitive complement of כָל
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדָּבָ֤רthe matterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of יְבִיאוּן
הַקָּשֶׁה֙hardart + adj m sg abs · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Attributive adjective modifying הַדָּבָרקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, difficult, severe'; near-synonym of הַגָּדֹל (v.22), used here for variation in the narrative report.
יְבִיא֣וּןthey would bringHiphil impf 3mp + paragogic nun · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (paragogic nun): habitual/customary practice narratedבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil, see v.19; the paragogic ן lends a solemn, almost documentary emphasis fitting this confirmation of established procedure.
אֶלtoprep אֶל · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prep אֶל
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject
הַדָּבָ֥רmatterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive-equivalent noun governed by כָל
הַקָּטֹ֖ןsmall/minorart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive adjective modifying הַדָּבָר
יִשְׁפּוּט֥וּthey would judgeQal impf 3mp · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: habitual/customary practice narratedשָׁפַט (H8199), see v.13; the fuller spelling יִשְׁפּוּטוּ (vs. יִשְׁפְּטוּ, v.22) is a stylistic/orthographic variant.
הֵֽםthey themselvesindependent pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Emphatic resumptive pronoun, subject of יִשְׁפּוּטוּ
27
וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֶת חֹתְנ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ ל֖וֹ אֶל אַרְצֽוֹ
Then Moses sent his father-in-law off, and he went his way to his own land.
The mutual departure formula (וַיְשַׁלַּח...וַיֵּלֶךְ) closes the chapter's inclusio, Jethro returning home just as he arrived (v.5), the administrative reform now fully in place.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיְשַׁלַּ֥חsent offPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, closing the chapter's frameשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send off, dismiss'; a courteous farewell-formula, closing the visit begun in v.5.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיְשַׁלַּח
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
חֹתְנ֑וֹhis father-in-lawQal ptc m sg constr + 3ms suf · חָתַן (H2859)Direct object of וַיְשַׁלַּח→ Participle used substantivally as a standing relational title
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְand he wentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, final closing actionהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; Jethro's departure, mirroring his arrival in v.5 and closing the chapter's inclusio.
ל֖וֹhis wayprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְAdverbial/ethical dative complement of וַיֵּלֶךְ (idiomatic reflexive)לְ + suffix, the 'ethical dative' idiom הָלַךְ לוֹ, 'went his own way,' emphasizing personal departure.
אֶלtoprep אֶל · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase
אַרְצֽוֹhis landN (c) sg constr + 3ms suf · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of prep אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776), see v.3; here 'his own land' — Midian, closing the chapter with Jethro's return home.