JETHRO (Heb. Jithrô; Ex. 4:18 Jether). — Priest of Midian, father-in-law of Moses (Ex. 2:16; 3:1; 4:18; 18:1, 5, 8, 12, 14, 27). A worshipper of the true God (Ex. 18:11-12; Judg. 1:16; 4:11), he is called *cenia* (cineaus).
In Ex. 2:18 and Num. 10:29 he is called Reuel (Rê'ûl). It seems that J. is a nickname or title of honor ("ecclesia"), like *watar* (Heb. Jether) in the Sabaean inscriptions and the title of *imâm* among Muslims; while Rê'ûl ("friend of 'El") is a proper name. The Greek Septuagint already identifies J. and Reuel, placing 'Ioôgô twice in Ex. 2:16. Given the uncertainty of the meaning of Hebrew names expressing kinship, it is possible that Reuel is the grandfather of Zipporah and the father of J., just as Hobab (Num. 10:29) may be only a brother-in-law or relative of Moses.
J. welcomed Moses, who had fled from Egypt, and gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. Zipporah remained with J. while Moses returned to Egypt to fulfill the mission given him by Yahweh. J. later returned her and their sons to Moses when, victorious, he led the free people of Israel toward Canaan; and he advised Moses to entrust the less important matters to a chosen number of elders (Ex. 18).