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Jethro Jothor

Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia

(superiority) - the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses. He is first mentioned in Exodus 2:18, where he is connected with Reuel and is called a Kenite elsewhere (Judg 1:16); in the following chapter and in Exodus 2:16 he is called Jethro. He was probably known by both names. The source holds that he descended from Abraham through Keturah (Gen 25:2), since he was a priest and prince of the Midianites. Moses spent the forty years of his exile with Jethro and married his daughter Zipporah.

On Jethro's advice Moses appointed judges over the people and shared the burden of government with them (Exod 18). Jethro then returned to his own land. Scripture does not mention him afterward, though it sometimes speaks of his descendants (Judg 1:16; 4:11).

Scripture cited

Exodus 2:18Judges 1:16Exodus 2:16Genesis 25:2

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