Who is…
Reuel

Meaning: friend of God

This is the name of 3 biblical men.

  1. Reuel, a son of Esau and Bashemath

    He is a son of Esau through Esau’s wife Bashemath (aka Basemath).

    The patriarch of 4 Edomite tribes, his 4 sons all became tribal chiefs (dukes) in the land of Edom.

    Relatives

    Genesis 36:4, 10; 1 Chronicles 1:35

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  2. Reuel, priest of Midian, and likely a prince or chieftain

    also known as: Raguel

    also known as: Jethro (aka Jether —meaning: meaning: “excellency” — his official title, not his name

    Reuel is called “The priest of Midian.”

    He is a Midianite who welcomed Moses to his land and group after Moses fled Egypt after killing a violent Egyptian taskmaster. Reuel was impressed with him, and Moses was willing to settle down with them. Subsequently, Reuel gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses as his wife. He thus became Moses’ father-in-law (Exodus 2:18) = Raguel (Numbers 10:29).

    Moses’ father in law is also called Reuel (Exodus 2:18) and Raguel (Numbers 10:29). These are probably two forms of his given name, while the name Jethro was associated with his priestly office (Exodus 18:1).” Dr. Henry M. Morris, The Defender's Bible

    Reuel is also described as a Kenite shepherd in some contexts.

    Jethro (Reuel) later advised Moses on organizing Israel’s leadership during the Israelite Exodus (Exodus 18).

    He also brought Zipporah and her sons to rejoin Moses after the Exodus.

  3. Reuel, father of Eliasaph

    also known as: Deuel

    This Reuel is the father of a Gadite captain named Eliasaph, a man mentioned in Numbers 2:14.

    He is also called Deuel (Numbers 1:14; 2:14; 7:42, 47; 10:20).

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Article Version: September 7, 2026