Keraia
Exodus 2

Exodus 2:10

The Birth and Adoption of Moses · Exodus 2:1–10
Read Exodus 2

Translations

Modern
When the child had grown older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and explained, “I drew him out of the water.”
Traditional
And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Literal
And the child grew, and she brought him to the daughter of Pharaoh, and he became to her as a son. And she called his name Moses and she said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”
Latin
Quem illa adoptavit in locum filii, vocavitque nomen ejus Moyses, dicens: Quia de aqua tuli eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
When the child had grown older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and explained, “I drew him out of the water.”

Notes

Exodus 2:10

  • God did more than save the life of Moses for his future calling. He also placed Moses in a position to receive training. Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s household. There, he likely received an education in administration, military matters, and leadership.

    In Egypt, a pharaoh was expected to father many children. This showed his strength and power. His sons were often given important civil and military roles. An adopted son of a princess would likely have received this kind of training (see Acts 7:22).

  • Moses: The princess gave the child an Egyptian name. This name appears in the longer names of many important Egyptians. These include the 18th Dynasty pharaohs Ahmose (1550–1525 BC) and Thutmose (1504–1390 BC).

    The name Moses may mean “to give birth” in Egyptian. By using this name, the princess may have suggested that the Nile, which Egyptians honored as a source of life, had given birth to the child.

    The Israelites later connected the name Moses with a similar Hebrew word, mashah. This word sounds like the name Moses and means “to lift out.” This connection recalls how the baby was lifted out of the water.

Exodus 2:1–25

Chapter 1 explained why Israel needed rescue. Chapter 2 shows how God prepared Moses, the rescuer. God used the threat to Hebrew baby boys to ensure that Moses was ready for his mission (see study note on 2:10).

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses

Events

Parallels

Acts 7:20–22 Hebrews 11:23

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during Moses' birth and early life

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Family Life and Relations Meaning of Names in the Bible Messiah Moses Pharaoh’s Daughter Samuel (Person)

Topics

Adoption of Moses Adoption: Illustrated: Moses Children were Named: from Remarkable Events Children: Fondness and Care of Mothers For Egypt: Israel in Moses Adopted and Brought up by Pharaoh's Daughter God: Preserver: To Moses, in his Infancy Industry: Jethro's Daughters Kindness: Pharaoh's Daughter to Moses Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh