along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”),
3. And her two sons. It was remarked in its proper place, how distinguished a proof not only of faith, but of magnanimity and firmness Moses had manifested in giving these names to his sons. For we cannot doubt, but that he brought on himself the ill-will of his connections, as if he despised the country of his wife, by calling the one (Gershom) “a...
This incident may very well be allowed to have happened as it is placed here, before the giving of the law, and not, as some place it, in connection with what is recorded, Num 10:11, Num 10:29, etc. Sacrifices were offered before; in these mentioned here (Exo 18:12) it is observable that Jethro is said to take them, not Aaron.
Commenting on Exodus 18:1-6
And her two sons,.... Those also Jethro took along with him and his daughter: of which the name of the one was Gershom; which seems to be his firstborn, Exo 2:22, his name signifies a desolate stranger, as some, or, "there I was a stranger": the reason of which name follows agreeably thereunto: for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land...