3:1 Jethro. Moses’ father in law is also called Reuel (Exodus 2:18) and Raguel (Numbers 10:29). These are probably two forms of his given name, while the name Jethro was associated with his priestly office (see also Exodus 18:1).

3:1 Midian. As descendants of Abraham (Genesis 25:1,2) the Midianites still retained some knowledge of the true God and had apparently ordained a priesthood to mediate that knowledge to their people. No doubt it had become somewhat contaminated over the centuries with the other religions of the land, but Jethro’s faith was soon to be properly clarified and focussed by Jehovah’s great works in Egypt (Exodus 18:11).