Bible Strands
Exodus 4:18
Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses his father-in-law Jethro at Midian immediately after receiving God’s commission to confront Pharaoh. He requests permission to travel to Egypt to check on the welfare of his Hebrew relatives.
The words — The Hebrew אֵלְכָה ('E.le.khah) literally means “let me go” or “I will go,” expressing a petition for departure. Jethro’s response matches the standard blessing formula “Go in peace,” which appears elsewhere in 1 Samuel 1:17.
The thread — Moses’ inquiry about whether his brothers are still alive parallels Joseph’s question in Genesis 45:3, while his departure from Jethro’s flock fulfills the earlier narrative of Exodus 3:1. The permission granted here directly precedes the Lord’s confirmation in Exodus 4:19 that Moses may return because his pursuers are dead.
Why it lands — The text demands a practical assessment of readiness before acting on divine instruction, showing that human counsel and situational awareness accompany obedience. It asks the reader to recognize that seeking permission and verifying circumstances are valid steps in a larger calling.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
Cross-references
- Exodus 3:1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
- Genesis 45:3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.
- 1 Samuel 1:17 “Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.”
- Luke 7:50 And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
- Acts 15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
- Acts 16:36 The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
- 1 Timothy 6:1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.