Exodus 18:11 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, &c.— Jethro, in the former part of the verse, expresses his belief in the superiority of Jehovah over all false gods: a belief, confirmed by the reason subjoined; and which shews, that the false gods, to which he more particularly alludes, were the idols of Egypt. Or it may refer to the Egyptians themselves, and mean, for in the thing wherein the Egyptians dealt proudly, (designing entirely to enslave or destroy the people of God,) God proved himself above them, to the salvation of his own people, and to their destruction. And, thus interpreted, all gods must signify false gods in general. The Chaldee paraphrase has it, because in what the Egyptians thought they should judge Israel, in that he hath judged them. The Arabic, Houbigant, &c. interpret in the same manner. Perhaps, however, a better translation may be given, and one more consistent with Nehemiah 9:10 where the same expression is used. The Hebrew particle ki, which we render for, for in the thing, &c. signifies very frequently yea, certainly, even, &c. (for proof of which see Noldius, 4. 6. 9.) and therefore we might read the verse, even by the very thing in which they dealt proudly against them; i.e. I know that the Lord is above all Gods, especially by his so exerting his superiority, as to cause the destruction which the Egyptians intended to bring upon his people, to fall on their own heads. This appears to be the true meaning of the phrase.