Exodus 4:18

ESV Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace."

NIV Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive." Jethro said, "Go, and I wish you well."

NASB Then Moses departed and returned to his father-in-law Jethro, and said to him, 'Please, let me go, that I may return to my brothers who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.' And Jethro said to Moses, 'Go in peace.'

CSB Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, "Please let me return to my relatives in Egypt and see if they are still living." Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace."

NLT So Moses went back home to Jethro, his father-in-law. 'Please let me return to my relatives in Egypt,' Moses said. 'I don’t even know if they are still alive.' 'Go in peace,' Jethro replied.

KJV 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.

NKJV So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”

What does Exodus 4:18 mean?

Having encountered the Lord (Exodus 3:4–6), received his mission (Exodus 3:10), and been given answers to his concerns (Exodus 4:8–9, 14), Moses takes the first steps in returning to Egypt. He'd left under bad circumstances (Exodus 2:11–15) and spent many years creating a life and family in exile (Exodus 2:21–22). This task will disrupt that new life. So, Moses begins by speaking to the leader of his new family group: his father-in-law. The names Jethro and Reuel are both referred to as the priest of Midian (Exodus 2:18; 3:1). These appear to be the same person; several characters in the Bible are known by more than one name (Genesis 17:5; 32:28; Daniel 2:26; Acts 13:9).

Moses requests to leave his duties towards the family while he is gone. He says he is going to check on the welfare of his people—this is not a lie, but it certainly leaves out major details. Most likely, Moses didn't feel his father-in-law was ready to hear about this supernatural encounter.

Jethro's response shows that he trusted his son-in-law. As far as we know from Scripture, this is the last time they will see each other until Moses is leading the people of Israel across the wilderness (Exodus 18:6–7).

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