Reuel/Jethro

jrdouthit · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:26 am Post subject: Reuel/Jethro

In the second chapter of Genesis Moses flees Egypt after slaying an Egyptian and comes to the land of Midian (Exodus 2:15). He helps out seven sisters who go and tell their father, Reuel, who is the priest of Midian. The Bible says Moses dwelt with him and Reuel gave him Zipporah, his daughter. When the next chapter begins, it says: "Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian..." (Exodus 3:1)

I'm a little confused by this. Are Reuel and Jethro the same person? I asked my dad and he said it is probably like the many names for Jesus. But why the sudden change in names?

What do you think, and why?
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45degreeN · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

Might be father (Reuel) and Grandfather (Jethro). They would need the eldest's blessing to marry into the family.
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JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

jrdouthit,

Actually my understanding is that he had seven different names.

Here is what the Jewish Encyclopedia says.

It is, however, generally accepted that he had seven names: "Reuel," "Jether," "Jethro," "Hobab," "Heber," "Keni" (comp. Judges i. 16, iv. 11), and "Putiel"; Eleazar's father-in-law (Ex. vi. 25) being identified with Jethro by interpreting his name either as "he who abandoned idolatry" or as "who fattened calves for the sake of sacrifices to the idol"

In the New Testament we see Saul of Tarsus changing his name to Paul. Interestingly enough it was a practice among Hebrews to give their child a Hebrew and Gentile name. Why I don't know. I thiought maybe because of Abrahams journey to Egypt where he encouraged his wife to be some what deceptive. Beyond that I know of nothing conclusive.

JB

ShardikSon · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject:

Perhaps this explains it:
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010104.htm
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JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

ShardikSon,

Thanks for the post. It helped.

JB

GospelCompilation · Bear Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 699 Location: Arizona

What we found most interesting about the encounter, is that (while Moses knew he was a Hebrew descendant), we're not sure whether he knew God or His law or not. And when he arrived in the land of Midian, he married the daughter of a priest!

So not only did Moses receive training to dwell in the desert, which he would need in order to lead the children of Israel, but also received his training in spiritual matters, as well, which he would need in order to lead the children of Israel.

So, we see that God blessed Moses with everything he would need to do the job that He would call him to do. That's amazing!

jrdouthit · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks, ShardikSon, that really did help. Mystery solved, I guess.

I'll have another unsolved Bible mystery posted soon (at least unsolved by me).

Thanks to everyone who contributed.
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"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."

George Washington