Jethro/Yithro.

1/21-22/11
Ex. 18: 1 – 20: 23.

I. This Torah portion is very unique in that it is the first of only four
Parshas with the Name of an individual. Yithro, Korach, Balak, Pin’chas.
Immediately, Father is waving a flag to get our attention before we even jump
into the meat of the Torah portion! Let’s examine each of these names shall
we?

• Jethro, #3503, ‫ יתרו‬Yithrow, ‘his abundance’, from #3499, remainder,

rest, remnant, to remain over, be left behind. The two-letter root stem, Tav-
Resh, to search out, explore. The Yod prefixed to the verb stem indicates 3rd
person, future tense, He will, they will. The Vav suffix can indicate “his”.
Thus, it could be rendered – ‘He will search out his’.

• Korah, #7141, ‫ קרח‬Qorach, ‘bald’. It comes from the two-letter root,

Qoph – Resh, qar (kar) cold and is the root of qara, to cry, call, invoke,
proclaim, read, summon. The Chet infers a fence or separation, protection.
His baldness wasn’t natural but self-inflicted, a prohibition of Torah. Shaving
one’s head inferred submission to the pagan gods.

• Balak, #1111, ‫ בלק‬Balaq, to lay waste, destroy. His father was Zippor,
#6834, ‫ צפור‬Tsippowr, a bird, Strong’s has it, ‘Sparrow’, but it should be
rendered a bird of prey. The root, Tzade-Pey infers, ‘to overflow’, overwhelm.

• Phinehas, #6372, ‫ פינחס‬Piynĕchac, it is a combination of Pey – Mouth

and #5175, nachash, brass or serpent and also, divination.

These names and their expanded Hebrew definitions, imply YHVH used
them in the past and will again in the future, to “search out His People,
calling them to a place of protection and separation from those who submit
themselves to the Pagan-Fallen gods, or be overwhelmed by the pagan
divinations and omen or signs of the Serpent.

So, exactly who is this Jethro? The prominence of his name in this parsha
gives us a clue. From our expanded definition he represents ‘The Remnant,
left behind – He (YHVH) will search out – find Him’. Thus, it becomes our
duty to also ‘search him out’.

Ex. 3: 1 Jethro Priest of Midian.

II. Father-in-law, #2859, ‫ חתן‬chathan, translated as Father-in-law, also

bridegroom, but in Arabic, it means, to cut off, to circumcise.

Priest, #3548, ‫ כהן‬kohen, priest; the root comes from #3541, Koh, to point in a
specific direction.

Midian, #4080, ‫ מדין‬Midyan, Strong’s has it, ‘strife’. However, the two-letter
root stem is Mem – Dalet, #4055, mad, a masc. noun meaning clothes, tunic,
priestly garments. It carries the idea of something apportioned or measured,
as in the wearing of cursing as a garment. Adding the ‘Yod’ shows personal
possession – ‘my garments’, while the nun suffix can infer to diminish. Thus,
this could read, ‘strife is measured as a curse for diminishing my Priestly
Garments’. Incidentally, garment is a euphemism for flesh also. So, you could
also read this, ‘strife is measured as a curse for diminishing the Priestly
garment of Messiah’s flesh’. Hmmm?

It would seem there is a hint of a future group in this hidden shadow picture;
those who would act as Priesthood – yet point the people in a direction which
would diminish the circumcision of the flesh (the middle wall of partition
keeping us from the Holy Place) and thus, invoke a curse upon themselves.
Eph. 2:14,15.

Who is Midian?

A. Jethro was from Midian, the son of Abraham and Keturah. He

had five brothers: Let’s examine their names in light of this
story: Gen. 25: 2.

• #2175, ‫ זמרן‬Zimran, One who makes music, praises, protects.

• #3370, ‫ יקשן‬Yoqshan, One who sets a snare, a fowler.
• #4091, ‫ מדן‬Mĕdan, strife, contention, judgment.
• #4080, ‫ מדין‬Midyan, strife, place of judgment.
• #3435, ‫ ישבק‬Yishbaq, he releases, lets alone.
• #7744, ‫ שוח‬Shuwach, to be humbled, brought low, as in the sense of
destruction and the Pit.

Remember, Keturah means Incense, a sacrificial offering or petition.

Abraham represents YHVH – The Father of Nations. Thus, the Bride who
offers herself as a sacrifice to YHVH, will produce a Son who Praises and
protects her from the One who ensnares and brought judgment in the Place of
Judgment (Eden, #5731, ‫ – עדן‬Ayin = eye, to see, Dalet-Nun = judge, to see &
judge). He will release her and be brought low, to the sides of the PIT!

Back to Ex. 18:2.

Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he
had sent her back,

We have looked at Zipporah previously, her name is translated by Strong’s

as: ‘bird’. However, there are several stem words that add clarity to the real
meaning. #6852, Sapar, a verb meaning to depart, to leave and #6824, Sapah,
a noun indicating a flow, a bloody discharge. These cognates infer that
Zipporah departed from the Truth and became – once again – pagan, giving
herself to the Idols of Midian and thus becoming Niddah – an unclean Bride.

Could this explain Jethro’s appearance with Zipporah? *Note the word for
sent.

• Sent, #7964, ‫ שלוחים‬shilluchim, to send away, specifically to

divorce. This infers that Moshe sent/divorced Zipporah because
she rejects the Covenant of Circumcision thereby embracing her
former gods! Are Passover and Circumcision connected??? Let’s
see.

The Law of Passover.

A. Moshe is given a specific command regarding who may participate in

the Passover celebration. This is found in Ex. 12: 43 – 49. I want to
examine a few words, shall we? Ex. 12: 43: And the LORD said unto
Moses and Aaron, This [is] the ordinance of the passover:
There shall no stranger eat thereof:
 • Ordinance, #2708, ‫ חקה‬chuqqah, a statue, law, but, it also means
that which has engraved, carved, drawn, marked with a line.
This connects us to Ps. 19 where the message of the Gospel in the
Stars is discussed and then goes into Ps. 19: 7, 8, the law of
YHVH is perfect, the statutes of YHVH right.
• There shall no stranger, #1121, ‫ בן‬ben, son, offspring, inhabitant
of, worthy of, deserving.

• #5236, ‫ נכר‬nekar, translated as stranger, in its’ verb form it

means to pretend, it can also indicate someone already known
previously. As a metaphor, it can mean to acknowledge, follow or
refuse to do so.

If we look at our expanded definition extrapolated from the Hebrew words

we get: “This is the Law of Passover, written and engraved in the heavens by
YHVH, NO SON WHO IS A PRETENDER, HAVING FOREKNOWLEDGE
AND REFUSING TO DO SO, IS WORTHY OF EATING!”

Verse 44 says all those who have been redeemed and circumcised may eat!
This again connects Passover and Circumcision. It is the flesh which makes
us a STRANGER – FOREIGNER. Eph. 2: 11, 12. Aliens and strangers from
the commonwealth of Israel because of our uncircumcised flesh – I.E. the
Carnal, lustful, perverted manifestations of the flesh.

Verse 45: A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

• Foreigner, #8453, ‫ תושב‬towshab, sojourner, foreigner, from the

root of #3427, Yashab, to dwell with as in a marriage. The Tav
prefixed indicates future tense, “I will” the foreigner refuses, thus
declares ‘I will not dwell’. Not coincidentally, the cognate word
immediately preceding towshab, is TORAH – thus he states, “I
will not dwell – be married – be ‘UNDER’ Torah (The Law).
Thus he becomes a worker of iniquity – Gk. anomia, ‘without
law’. Matt. 7.

• Hired Servant, #7916, ‫ שכיר‬sakiyr, hireling, from #7919, to act

with insight, to be prudent, and #7915, a sharp cutting
instrument, it is also related to #7913, sakeah, meaning to forget,
turn from, neglect. This infers the hired servant has the
 knowledge of the Covenant of Circumcison, but, labors only
according to his wages, intentionally forgetting, turning from the
Covenant.

Many of today’s Pastors, Teachers, etc. are hired servants, who labor based
on what those who pay them dictate – rather than what YHVH instructs.
They have the knowledge, but suppress it intentionally, turning from Torah!
We cannot play these games any longer!

III. Exodus 12: 13, 23 tell us, ‘when YHVH sees the blood he will pass over -
#6452, ‫ פסח‬pacach, to pass over, to be lame, dislocated. The root stem is
Pey-Samech, pas, to stripe, strip. It also can mean a striped or mult-
colored garment like Joseph’s coat. Incidentally, it can also refer to the
palm of the hand or sole of the foot – the Kaf – Hollow part! This
connects us immediately to Jacob who is touched in the hollow, (#3709,
kaph) of his thigh, (#3409, yarek, thigh, loins, the seat of a man’s
procreative power) just before “passing over”.

Remember Abraham and Eliezer who placed his hand under the thigh, and
Jacob who asks Joseph to do the same when swearing an oath? This term
metaphorically reveals the hands were placed under the genitals as a
reminder of the Covenant of Circumcision. Gen. 17:11.

The Sages teach a reference to blood multiple times here infers a connection to
the Covenant of Circumcision and Pesach! In other words, “When I see the
Bloods – damim”…Therefore the blood of the Lamb was struck upon the
doorpost and lintels, forming the letter Chet – the symbol of LIFE. The House
represents the Man who is struck in his thigh – loins, circumcised in order to
preserve the First-Born! The blood of the Lamb represents Messiah who was
STRIPED, HIS JOINTS DISLOCATED, HIS PALMS AND SOLES OF HIS
FEET PIERCED, HIS FLESH CIRCUMCISED – CUT OFF, SO THAT HIS
COAT OF MANY COLORS, THE SIGN OF THE FIRSTBORN, COULD
BE PASSED TO THOSE INSIDE THE HOUSE-LOINS! Is. 53:8 says He was
cut off – circumcised from the living, for the transgressions, #6588, pesha,
rebellion of the people he was stricken, #5061, nega, stroke, to mark.
Circumcised!
What does this have to do with Zipporah? Did she know of the Covenant of
Circumcision? YES! Remember in Gen. 15 Abraham is told of the coming
Egyptian exile, he circumcises his house, which included Ishmael at the age of
13 who would father Midian. Correction, Ishmael didn’t father Midian,
Abraham did through Keturah!

This brings us to an unusual place in Exodus 4: 22 – 26, where Moshe is given

instructions after being chosen as Deliverer of Israel, to tell Pharaoh “Israel is
my firstborn”. YHVH then oddly mentions the last plague, as a warning that
He will slay the firstborn of Pharaoh should he refuse to let Israel go.

This is followed immediately by the appearance of YHVH who attempts to kill

Moshe. Why? Unless we see the connection to Circumcision and Passover we
will miss the hidden mystery of the following events, which will also tell us
why Zipporah is later put away!

Ex. 4: 25.

Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son,
and cast [it] at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband [art] thou
to me.

This son here is unnamed but we know from this Torah portion (Ex. 18: 3,4)
that it is Gershom while the younger is Eliezar.

• Gershom, #1648, stranger, from #1644, garash, to drive out, expel,

divorce. This son represents those who are uncircumcised in the Last Days
and will be brought before YHVH.
• Eliezar, #461, Yah is help, so named because YHVH delivered Moshe
from Pharaoh.

• Feet, #7272, feet, but also euphemistically as the Pudenda or private

part of the Male anatomy, the genitals in some translations.

Zipporah then declares, “Surely a bloody husband [art] thou to me.”

We know the word for blood, dam. But, look at the word for ‘husband’.

• Husband, #2860, ‫ חתן‬chathan, bridegroom, in Arabic it means, to cut,

circumcise. It also conveys the idea of FAITH in YHVH. She casts the blood
not at her sons’ feet, but upon Moshe’s loins, marking him in the same manner
as the doorposts of Israel/Jacob’s house – up the sideposts (the hollow of his
thigh) – legs and across the lentil – waist! She then tells Moshe, ‘You are a
blood circumcised one, to me’.

Gershom was the son of a Midianite woman, and Moshe an adopted son of
Egypt, had Gershom not been circumcised he would have died with Egypt’s
firstborn and so would have Moshe, who neglected to place the Blood on His
own house – son! It was the Son’s blood that restored life! The next verse finds
YHVH letting Moshe go! Ironically, Eben Ezra declares, “it is customary for
mothers to call a recently circumcised son a bridegroom. Thus, fulfilling the
shadow picture of Yahshua becoming the Bridegroom of Israel upon His
circumcision – Cutting off!

Circumcision and Passover both require the death of the flesh. Thus implying
we cannot partake of redemption without the MAN OF THE FLESH DYING
FOR US! Our own flesh is not suitable, yet we must exhibit the mark of
circumcision in our flesh! To walk a Carnal lifestyle means we reject the
Circumcision of the Bridegroom – just as Zipporah did and we become one
‘sent away’, until our hearts and flesh become circumcised! This is why we
are to display the Faith of Abraham – The Circumcised Bridegroom in our
Circumcised hearts and our Circumcised Flesh!

Ex. 18: 5, says Jethro brought Zipporah and her sons unto Moshe – The One
From Whom Water is Drawn – The Deliver, in the wilderness, midabar,
Source of the Word. Verses 9 – 12, declares he rejoiced for all that YHVH had
done for Israel.

• Rejoiced, #2302, ‫ חדה‬chadah, to rejoice, from the root stem of Chet –

Dalet, Chad, to ONE, single, a combining. This is the root of Echad, the Aleph
meaning ‘I will’, One you, combine you.

It is becoming clear that Jethro acknowledges YHVH as the Deliverer of

Israel and accepts Him as his God, becoming Echad with Israel. He repents of
his own idolatry (vs. 11) and returns – makes teshuvah to Torah! This picture
reminds us of those who are Priests of the Group who today declare there is
no need of Circumcision, they feign worship of YHVH but, their flesh exposes
them as uncircumcised ‘Strangers’ (Matt. 7:23 who never knew Messiah the
Bridegroom of blood) yet, because of the plagues that are going to befall
Egypt & Israel in the coming days, many will return and rejoice – becoming
One!
Exodus 12: 49 tells us there is one Torah – one law, for both native born and
the Strangers!

It is this One who comes out of the Strangers that helped to set up the first
government of Israel and who will also be instrumental in the setting up the
Kingdom of Messiah! Rom. 8:1 – 19 tells us only those who walk not after the
flesh (are circumcised) will be the Sons of YHVH and it is those who Creation
waits for earnestly!

Later we see in Ex. 19: 1-8 Israel arrives at the Wilderness of Sinai, where
they will hear the words of the Covenant of Marriage. Sinai #5514, translated
thorny, is better rendered from the cognates of its’ root stem which infer,
elder, counselor, learned, to speak. Thus, Israel – after circumcision/Passover,
along with the Strangers who are themselves circumcised, are brought to the
Midabar, the source of the word, to hear the Learned One Speak the terms of
their wedding Contract.

This pattern has not changed. We will once again be brought to the Mountain
of YHVH – Sinai, where he will plead with us face to face as He did our
fathers, but, only after this Circumcision where we acknowledge Messiah as,
My Husband of the Blood – Circumcision! Ezek. 20: 35; Hosea 2: 16.