OET interlinear EXO 4:18

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-participants

יֶ֣תֶר

Yitrō

Jethro is reintroduced as a participant in the narrative here. Use the natural form in your language for reintroducing a character.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / go

וַ⁠יֵּ֨לֶךְ

and=he/it_went

Because the setting has shifted back to Jethro’s home, some languages may need to use “come” here.

Note 3 topic: translate-kinship

חֹֽתְנ֗⁠וֹ

father-in-law,his

This refers to the father of Moses’ wife. If your language uses a different term for the husband’s or wife’s father use the one for wife’s father.

Note 4 topic: writing-pronouns

וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמֶר

and=he/it_said

Here, he refers to Moses. Alternate translation: “and Moses said”

Note 5 topic: writing-pronouns

ל⁠וֹ֙

to=him/it

Here, him refers to Jethro. Alternate translation: “to Jethro”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

אַחַ֣⁠י

brothers,my

Here the term brothers refers more broadly to all of Moses’ people group, those he is related to. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “my relatives”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

וְ⁠אֶרְאֶ֖ה הַ⁠עוֹדָ֣⁠ם חַיִּ֑ים

and,see if,still,they life(pl)

Later in the Bible we are told that Moses was in Midian for 40 years. Moses’ request may have been literal or an idiom that meant he wanted to know how they were doing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language.

Note 8 topic: translate-blessing

לֵ֥ךְ לְ⁠שָׁלֽוֹם

go in,peace

This is a phrase of assent and blessing. It may be necessary for some languages to explicitly add, “Yes,” to the beginning of Jethro’s response.