A Cacophony of Names

A Cacophony of Names: Moses’ Father-in-Law, Who Was This Man?

Have you ever started reading a passage of Scripture and suddenly stopped because you thought, “Wait a minute... who are we talking about now?” Moses’ father-in-law is one of those moments. He appears in Scripture with several names, and if we are not careful, we can feel like we are trying to keep track of characters in a very large family reunion where everyone has more than one name tag.

Was he Reuel? Was he Jethro? Was he Hobab? Was someone in the family changing names every time Moses picked up a scroll? Probably not. The confusion comes more from our modern way of thinking about names than from the ancient Hebrew world.

So, let’s grab our coffee and sit down with the Scriptures and sort through this “cacophony of names.”

The First Name We Meet: Reuel

When Moses fled from Egypt after killing the Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, he arrived in the land of Midian. There he helped the daughters of a Midianite priest at a well. When the daughters returned home earlier than expected, their father asked why they had returned so quickly.

Exodus 2:18 says, “And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?”

The name given here is Reuel. The Hebrew name רְעוּאֵל (Re‘u’el) is commonly understood as meaning “friend of God” or “companion of God.” The name itself is interesting, but we should remember something important: a Hebrew name is not always a full biography. It does not mean every detail of a person’s life is hidden inside the name.

Reuel was the father of Zipporah, the woman Moses would marry. He was also identified as the priest of Midian.

At this point, Moses’ future father-in-law enters the story quietly. No great introduction. No dramatic announcement. Just a man, his daughters, a well, and a shepherd who had just arrived from Egypt.

Then Comes Jethro

Later, the name we hear most often is Jethro.

Exodus 3:1 says, “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian…”

Jethro, Hebrew יִתְרוֹ (Yitro), is the name by which most people recognize him. It is often connected with the idea of “excellence,” “abundance,” or “preeminence.”

Jethro was not just Moses’ father-in-law. He became one of the voices of wisdom in Moses’ life.

After Israel left Egypt, Jethro heard everything God had done.

Exodus 18:1 says, “When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people…”

Jethro came to Moses in the wilderness, bringing Zipporah and Moses’ sons. After hearing Moses tell of God’s deliverance, Jethro rejoiced.

Exodus 18:10-11 says, “Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians... Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods…”

This is a powerful moment. Moses had seen God’s power through the plagues, the Red Sea, and the wilderness journey. Yet here we see a Midianite priest recognizing the greatness of the God of Israel.

Jethro then watched Moses judging the people all day long and gave him wise counsel. Moses was trying to carry a burden that was too heavy for one man.

Exodus 18:17-18 says, “The thing that you do is not good. you will surely wear away, both you and this people that is with you: for this thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it yourself alone.”

Sometimes God brings wisdom from unexpected places. Moses was the chosen servant of God, but he was still a man who needed counsel.

The Hobab Question

Now we arrive at the part where Bible students start scratching their heads.

In Numbers, another name appears:

Numbers 10:29 says, “And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law…”

Here we find Hobab. The Hebrew name חֹבָב (Chovav) is connected with the idea of beloved or cherished.

But now we have a question. If Hobab is called the son of Reuel, how can he also be called Moses’ father-in-law?

This is where we need humility. There are different explanations among scholars.

One possibility is that Hobab is another name or title for Jethro. Another possibility is that Hobab was Jethro’s son, making him Moses’ brother-in-law, and the relationship wording is understood differently in the ancient language.

The important thing is: we should not pretend the difficulty does not exist, but we also should not consider that a difficulty means a contradiction.

Ancient families often had broader relationship terms than we use today. A family connection could be described in ways that do not fit neatly into our modern vocabulary.

A Man Remembered by More Than One Name

So, what do we know?

We know Moses’ father-in-law was connected with Midian.

We know he was the father of Zipporah.

We know he was a priest of Midian.

We know he welcomed Moses when Moses was a stranger.

We know he recognized the greatness of the LORD.

We know he gave Moses wise counsel.

Whether we are looking at Reuel, Jethro, or the debated connection with Hobab, the picture we receive is of a man whose life intersected with God’s plan for Israel.

The names may make us stop and think, but the character of the man is what shines through.

Perhaps the greatest lesson is this: God often works through people whose names are not always the easiest for us to organize. We like neat lists and perfect categories. God is not limited by our filing systems.

And somewhere, every Bible student who has wrestled with these passages has probably said:

“Okay... I understand Moses. I understand Pharaoh. I understand the plagues. But can someone please explain the father-in-law situation?”

That is why I entitled this study “A Cacophony Of Names.” Not because Scripture is confused, but because sometimes we have to slow down, read it aloud, listen carefully, and let the pieces come together.

Prayer

Holy Father,

I come before You with a thankful heart for Your Word and for the wisdom found within its pages. Thank You for preserving the Scriptures through generations so that we can continue to learn, question, and grow in understanding.

Father God, as I study the lives of those You used in Your purposes, help me to look beyond names and details and see the lessons You have placed there for us. Help me approach Your Word with humility, patience, and a desire for truth.

Thank You for showing us that every person You choose has a place in Your plan. Whether a person is remembered by one name or many, You know them completely. You see the heart, the faith, and the obedience that others may not see.

Lord, help me not to be distracted by the things I do not yet understand, but to continue searching Your Scriptures with wisdom and care. Give me discernment as I study the languages, the history, and the context of Your Word, so that I may share what is true and honor You in all that I write.

May this teaching encourage others to open their Bibles, seek Your truth, and recognize Your hand working through ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

Thank You for Your faithfulness and for the gift of Your Word.

In the name of Yeshua, Amen.

✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️

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© AMKCH 2026

image done by my chatgpt at my direction.

If any of these people looks like you or someone you know, that is purely coincidental. They are not.

✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️

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