And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. And did obeisance - וישתחו vaiyishtachu, he bowed himself down, (See Clarke's note on Genesis 17:3, and See Clarke's note on Exodus 4:31); this was the general token of respect. And kissed him; the token of friendship. And they asked each other of their welfare; literally, and they inquired, each man of his neighbor, concerning peace or prosperity; the proof of affectionate intercourse. These three things constitute good breeding and politeness, accompanied with sincerity.
And they came into the tent - Some think that the tabernacle is meant, which it is likely had been erected before this time; see Clarke's note on Exodus 18:5. Moses might have thought proper to take his relative first to the house of God, before he brought him to his own tent.