Moses went out to meet his father-in-law uses a verb meaning to come to someone, often used in the context of war. Translator’s Old Testament has “to welcome,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “to greet.” In certain languages this will be expressed as “Moses went out to say ‘Welcome’ to him.” And did obeisance means that Moses knelt down and probably touched his face to the ground. This was a common form of greeting that showed respect for an elder or a superior. And kissed him means that Moses probably touched Jethro’s cheek with his lips. (See the comment on kissing at 4.27.) Moses probably prostrated himself before Jethro first of all and then have got back on his feet in order to kiss him. In languages where this must be made explicit, one may say, for example, “He prostrated himself before Jethro and then rose to his feet [or, stood up] and kissed him.”

And they asked each other of their welfare is literally “and they asked a man to his fellow concerning well-being.” The word for welfare is shalom, which is often translated as “peace,” but its basic meaning is wholeness or health. It was used as a greeting in meeting or parting from someone. (See also 4.18.) The context here suggests that this was more than simply exchanging greetings, as sometimes understood (Translator’s Old Testament, New American Bible, Revised English Bible). It was more likely as Good News Translation expresses it, “They asked about each other’s health.” New Jerusalem Bible has “when each had asked how the other was.” In certain languages this will be in direct speech; for example, “They asked each other, ‘How is your health?’ ” or “… ‘Are you well?’ ”

And went into the tent uses the definite article, but without a possessive pronoun. This may be understood as “Moses’ tent” (Good News Translation), since each family had their own tents. This should not be understood as the “tent of meeting” in 33.7.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .