Reuel
## Biblical Figures Named Reuel The name Reuel appears for several distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The most prominent is Reuel, also called Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses (Exodus 2:18). Another Reuel is listed as a son of Esau and Basemath, making him a clan chief of Edom (Genesis 36:4, 10, 17; 1 Chronicles 1:35). A third Reuel is noted as the father of Eliasaph, the leader of the tribe of Gad during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 2:14). Finally, a Benjaminite ancestor named Reuel appears in the genealogy of Saul (1 Chronicles 9:8).
## Reuel, the Father-in-Law of Moses The most narratively significant Reuel is the Midianite priest who became Moses's father-in-law. After fleeing Egypt, Moses defended Reuel's seven daughters at a well and was invited into their household. He later married Reuel's daughter, Zipporah (Exodus 2:16-21). In Exodus 18, this figure is called Jethro. He visits Moses in the wilderness after the Exodus, brings Moses's wife and sons to him, offers a sacrifice to Yahweh, and declares, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods" (Exodus 18:11). He then provides crucial administrative advice, urging Moses to appoint judges to share the burden of governing the people, which Moses implements.
## The Name and Its Variations The variation between the names Reuel, Jethro, and Hobab for Moses's father-in-law has been a point of discussion. Numbers 10:29 refers to Hobab as the "son of Reuel," suggesting Reuel may be a clan or family name, with Hobab (perhaps another name for Jethro) being a specific member. The Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation, consistently uses "Ragouel." This indicates that "Reuel" likely functioned as a broader tribal designation for the Kenite branch of Midianites, into which Moses married. The name's meaning, "friend of God," fittingly describes the character who acknowledges Yahweh's supremacy.
## Reuel the Edomite As a son of Esau, Reuel represents one of the foundational clans of Edom, Israel's neighbor and frequent rival (Genesis 36). The genealogical lists in Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1 meticulously record his descendants, establishing the political and tribal landscape of the region. This Reuel has no direct narrative role but serves to document the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that Esau would become a nation (Genesis 17:4-6).
## Historical and Cultural Context Reuel's identity as a Midianite priest is culturally significant. The Midianites were a nomadic or semi-nomadic people from the Arabian Peninsula, often associated with trade and shepherding. Moses's integration into this family highlights God's providential care outside of Israel. Extra-biblical evidence for specific names like Reuel is sparse, but the names fit known Northwest Semitic onomastic patterns. The Kenite hypothesis, suggesting Moses's in-laws were a smithing clan within Midian, connects Reuel's descendants (the Kenites) to later Israelite history, as they lived among Israel (Judges 1:16, 4:11).
## Theological Significance The story of Reuel/Jethro offers profound theological insights. First, it demonstrates that revelation and recognition of Yahweh's power were not confined to Israel; a Gentile priest is the first to formally confess Yahweh's superiority after the Exodus. Second, his wise counsel to Moses establishes a paradigm for decentralized, righteous governance grounded in the fear of God (Exodus 18:21). This model of shared leadership and judicial wisdom would echo throughout Israel's history. Finally, the alliance and peace between Moses and Reuel's clan symbolize God's blessing extending through covenant relationships beyond ethnic boundaries.
Biblical Context
The name Reuel appears in the Pentateuch and Chronicles. In Exodus 2:18 and Numbers 10:29, it is linked to Moses's Midianite father-in-law (also called Jethro). In Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1, it identifies an Edomite chieftain, a son of Esau. In Numbers 2:14, it is the name of the father of Eliasaph, leader of Gad. In 1 Chronicles 9:8, it appears in a Benjaminite genealogy.
Theological Significance
Reuel's story underscores God's universal sovereignty, as a non-Israelite priest acknowledges Yahweh. His administrative advice to Moses provides a biblical model for godly, practical leadership and justice. The covenant peace between Israel and the Kenites (Reuel's descendants) illustrates how God's blessings can flow through faithful alliances with those outside the covenant community.
Historical Background
Midian was a confederation of tribes in the northwestern Arabian Peninsula. The name Reuel ('Friend of God') is a compound common in Semitic naming conventions. While no direct archaeological evidence confirms the individual, the socio-political role of tribal priests and sheiks like Jethro/Reuel is well-attested in ancient Near Eastern nomadic cultures. The Kenite connection suggests his clan may have had specialized skills in metalwork.