Exodus 18:11 Meaning: Jethro's Growing Faith in a Greater God
Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods because of the way that they treated people arrogantly.”
Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods; yea, in the thing wherein they dealt proudly against them.
now I have known that Jehovah is greater than all the gods, for in the thing they have acted proudly-- He is above them!'
Now I know that Jehovah is greater than allgods; for in the thing in which they acted haughtily [he was] above them.
Meaning in one sentence
Jethro's confession 'Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods' shows how hearing God's works can deepen faith. Exodus 18:11 explained.
Context
Moses has just brought the people of Israel out of Egypt. His father-in-law Jethro, a Midianite priest, hears of all that God has done and comes to meet Moses in the wilderness. They greet each other warmly, and Moses tells him everything: the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, the hardships along the way, and how Yahweh rescued them. Jethro rejoices at the news. He blesses God for delivering Israel. Then he speaks the words that mark a turning point, he confesses that Yahweh is greater than all gods. After this, Jethro offers a burnt offering and shares a meal with Moses and the elders before God. The next day, he watches Moses judge the people alone and gives him wise advice about delegating leadership. This chapter shows Jethro moving from hearing about God to worshiping Him and serving His people.
Key Words
The words Jethro chooses carry weight. The Hebrew verb for know is yada. It means more than head knowledge, it speaks of experiencing, perceiving, coming to acknowledge something deeply. Jethro does not say ‘I have heard’ or ‘I believe.’ He says ‘now I know.’ The personal knowledge has become real to him.
The word for great is gadol, meaning large, powerful, magnificent. Jethro says Yahweh is gadol above all gods. This is not a casual opinion. It is a confession based on what he has witnessed through Moses’ report.
The verb behind they dealt arrogantly is zud, to boil up, to act presumptuously, to be insolent. The Egyptians had boiled over with pride, oppressing and defying God’s people. But God showed Himself greater than their pride. The root picture is of something heating until it overflows. God met that full overflow of human arrogance with a full display of His majesty.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse with appreciation for Jethro’s growing faith. Adam Clarke (Methodist) saw Jethro as already a true worshiper of the God of Abraham, so his confession was a deepening, not a conversion. The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) notes that the sentence is incomplete in Hebrew, suggesting something like ‘he has destroyed them’ must be supplied, but the point remains: God’s superiority was shown by overthrowing the proud Egyptians. Barnes (Protestant) emphasizes the incomparable might and majesty of Yahweh. Wesley (Methodist) says Jethro ‘knew it before, but now he knew it better; his faith grew up to a full assurance.’ All point to the same truth: encountering God’s actions in history can move a person from knowing about Him to knowing Him personally.
A common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is to think Jethro was converting to faith in God for the first time here. Some picture him as a pagan priest who suddenly discovered the true God. In fact, the Hebrew ‘now I know’ implies he already had some knowledge of Yahweh. He is not saying ‘I now believe in God’ but ‘my understanding of His greatness has become deeper and more certain.’ Jethro’s praise is an acknowledgement that what he knew by reputation he now knows through powerful testimony.
Living This Out
This week, you may hear someone share what God has done in their life: a healing, a provision, a rescue. You might be tempted to nod along, thinking you already know God is great. But Jethro shows us that hearing fresh testimonies can turn our head knowledge into heart conviction. Try this: instead of just saying ‘I know God is good,’ ask yourself, ‘What have I seen Him do lately that makes me say “now I know”?’
Maybe you are the one who needs to tell your story. Moses told Jethro all that the Lord had done. Your words could be the very thing that moves someone from belief to confident faith. Do not assume they already know. Speak plainly. Let God use your testimony to expand someone’s knowledge of His greatness.
Main takeaway: Hearing what God has done can turn head knowledge into heart conviction that He alone is greater than anything we fear.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jethro heard about the amazing things God did for Moses and the Israelites. He said, ‘Now I know God is bigger than anything.’ When you hear about what God has done, your faith can grow too.
For ages 9, 12
Jethro already believed in God, but after hearing the whole story of the plagues and the Red Sea, his belief became stronger. Sometimes we think we know everything about God, but hearing someone else’s experience can make that knowledge more real. This week, ask a parent or friend to tell you about a time when God helped them. Let their story help you say, ‘Now I know.’
Questions People Ask
Was Jethro a pagan priest before this encounter?
Jethro is called a priest of Midian (Exodus 3:1), but commentators differ on whether that means he served false gods. Many note that he speaks of Yahweh using the name the Hebrews used, and he offers sacrifices to God. It is likely he already worshiped the true God, though perhaps mingled with some local practices. His confession in verse 11 shows his faith deepening, not beginning.
What does 'the thing wherein they dealt proudly' refer to?
It refers to the Egyptians’ arrogant treatment of Israel, their oppressive labor, their attempt to drown Hebrew baby boys (Exodus 1:22), and Pharaoh’s pursuit of Israel at the Red Sea. In each proud action, God showed Himself superior, ultimately rescuing Israel and judging Egypt. The phrase points to the whole story of the exodus.
What does 'now I know' imply about Jethro’s prior faith?
The Hebrew verb ‘yada’ (to know) can describe both intellectual knowledge and personal experience. When Jethro says ‘now I know,’ he is not admitting previous ignorance, but declaring that what he knew before has become certain and grounded in fresh evidence. Commentators like Wesley say he knew it before but now knew it better, his faith grew to full assurance.
Who are 'the gods' Jethro says Yahweh is greater than?
The context points to the gods of Egypt, the deities that the Egyptians trusted for protection, wisdom, and power. But the statement also carries a wider meaning: any power, prince, or false deity that sets itself against God. The plagues directly challenged Egyptian gods (Exodus 12:12), and the exodus proved Yahweh is above them all.
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