Does Moses' father-in-law have two names?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the Holy Scriptures and Coptic Orthodox tradition, the father-in-law of Moses is referred to by multiple names. This is not a contradiction but rather reflects different titles, roles, or linguistic variations common in the ancient Near East.

The two primary names used for him are:

1. Reuel

In Exodus 2:18, he is called Reuel (Raguel in the Septuagint/Coptic). The name Reuel means "Friend of God." This is often considered his personal name or his name within his family tribe.

2. Jethro

In Exodus 3:1 and Exodus 18, he is most commonly referred to as Jethro. The name Jethro is derived from a root meaning "Excellency" or "Abundance." Many Coptic commentators and historians believe "Jethro" was likely an official title or a name denoting his status as a priest of Midian, rather than just a personal name.

Other Mentions

Other names also appear in connection with Moses' in-laws:

• Hobab: In Numbers 10:29 and Judges 4:11, the name Hobab appears. While some traditions suggest Hobab is another name for Jethro, many Coptic and patristic interpretations suggest Hobab was actually the son of Reuel (and thus Moses' brother-in-law) who traveled with the Israelites.
• Jether: In some manuscripts of Exodus 4:18, he is called Jether, which is simply a shortened Hebrew form of Jethro.

The Coptic Perspective

In the Coptic Church, Jethro is highly regarded for his wisdom and his recognition of the true God. In Exodus 18, we see Jethro offering sacrifices to the God of Israel and advising Moses on how to judge the people by appointing leaders. This act is seen as a beautiful example of a Gentile recognizing the power of God and contributing to the organization of the people of God.

It is common in the Bible for significant figures to have two names (such as Jacob/Israel or Simon/Peter) to signify a change in status or a specific relationship with God. In Jethro's case, his names reflect both his personal identity as a "Friend of God" (Reuel) and his prestigious role (Jethro).