Among many believers, Jethro (Hebrew: יִתְרוֹ – Yitro), the father-in-law of Moses, is often portrayed as a pagan priest who later “converted” after hearing of the Exodus. While this interpretation is common in Christian teaching, a closer reading of the Torah and Jewish tradition suggests a more nuanced possibility. Jethro may not have been encountering the G-d of Israel for the first time. Instead, he may have been a descendant of Abraham who retained knowledge of Hashem and ultimately reaffirmed the faith of his ancestors.
Understanding Jethro within the broader Abrahamic family context can help Messianic believers appreciate the continuity of faith that existed beyond the covenantal line of Isaac and Jacob.
The Torah establishes that the Midianites were direct descendants of Abraham. After Sarah’s death, Abraham took another wife, Keturah, who bore him several sons.
Genesis 25:1–2
“Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.”
Midian became the ancestor of the Midianite people. Jethro, described repeatedly in the Torah as a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:16; 3:1), therefore belonged to a people who descended directly from Abraham himself. This fact alone challenges the assumption that Jethro was simply a pagan outsider to the knowledge of the G-d of Israel.
While the covenant promises passed specifically through Isaac and later through Jacob, Abraham’s other descendants were still part of his extended household and heritage. This becomes important when we consider what the Torah says about Abraham’s responsibility toward his entire household.
Abraham Taught His Household the Ways of Hashem
Scripture indicates that Abraham actively instructed his family in the ways of G-d.
Genesis 18:19
“For I have known him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD.”
Rabbinic literature expands upon this idea, portraying Abraham as a teacher who proclaimed the sovereignty of G-d to all those within his household and sphere of influence (Genesis Rabbah 39:14).
Abraham did not restrict knowledge of Hashem to one branch of the family. His instruction extended to servants, relatives, and descendants. If Abraham taught his household about the Creator, it is reasonable to conclude that some knowledge of Hashem could have continued among the descendants of his other sons, including Midian. This possibility sheds new light on the character of Jethro.
Another detail that deserves attention is the setting of Moses’ encounter with the burning bush. When Moses fled Egypt, he lived in Midian and became part of Jethro’s household. Exodus 3:1 “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to the mountain of G-d, Horeb.”
It is while shepherding Jethro’s flock that Moses encounters Hashem and receives his calling to return to Egypt.
This location is significant. The mountain of G-d was situated in the wilderness region associated with Midian. The narrative does not portray this land as spiritually foreign to the knowledge of Hashem. Rather, Moses encounters G-d while dwelling among Abraham’s Midianite descendants.
When Moses later recounts the events of the Exodus, Jethro’s response is remarkable. Exodus 18:10–11
“Blessed be YHVH, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians… Now I know that YHVH is greater than all gods.”
Notice what Jethro does not say. He does not ask who this G-d is or express confusion about His identity. Instead, he blesses YHVH immediately and acknowledges His supremacy. His response suggests recognition rather than discovery. Jethro appears to already understand who Hashem is, even if the events of the Exodus demonstrated His power in a new and dramatic way.
After hearing Moses’ testimony, Jethro performs another significant act. Exodus 18:12 “Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for G-d; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before G-d.”
This is not a casual moment. Jethro offers sacrifices to Hashem and participates in a covenantal meal with the leadership of Israel. The Torah presents this scene with dignity and honor, portraying Jethro as someone capable of recognizing and worshiping the true G-d.
Jethro also plays an important role in helping establish Israel’s judicial system. Observing Moses’ heavy workload, he offers advice on appointing judges to assist in governing the people. Exodus 18:21 “You shall select from all the people capable men, G-d-fearing men, men of truth who hate unjust gain…” Moses accepts Jethro’s counsel and implements the system he recommends.
The Torah portrays Jethro as: wise, spiritually perceptive, and
knowledgeable about leadership and justice.
These qualities reinforce the idea that Jethro was not merely an uninformed pagan priest but a man who possessed significant understanding of G-d and righteous governance.
When we consider the full biblical context, a compelling picture emerges. Jethro was: A descendant of Abraham through Midian, a priest among a people connected to Abraham’s family, a man capable of immediately recognizing and blessing YHVH and a spiritual leader who offered sacrifices to Hashem and advised Moses.
For Messianic believers, this perspective highlights an important truth: knowledge of the G-d of Abraham was not necessarily confined only to the direct covenant line of Israel. Abraham’s influence extended beyond Isaac and Jacob, and traces of that faith may have survived among other branches of his family.
From this standpoint, Jethro’s story is not primarily about conversion from paganism. Instead, it may represent a descendant of Abraham reaffirming the G-d of his ancestors after witnessing the mighty acts of Hashem in the Exodus.
Jethro’s account reminds us that the worship of Hashem has deep and ancient roots reaching back to Abraham himself. While Israel carried the covenant promises, the knowledge of the Creator was not necessarily absent among Abraham’s other descendants.
For Messianic believers today, Jethro serves as a powerful example of someone who recognized the hand of G-d and honored YHVH when confronted with His mighty works. His story illustrates how the faith of Abraham could echo through generations, even outside the covenant line, ultimately leading individuals back to the worship of the one true G-d.
In this way, Jethro stands not simply as a convert, but perhaps as a descendant of Abraham rediscovering and affirming the faith that began with his forefather.
Rabbi Yadin Rich
www.aveinu.com
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