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Exodus 2

Exodus 2:17

The Rejection and Flight of Moses · Exodus 2:11–22
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Translations

Modern
And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.
Traditional
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
Literal
And the shepherds came and drove them away, and Moses arose and saved them, and he watered their flock.
Latin
Supervenere pastores, et ejecerunt eas: surrexitque Moyses, et defensis puellis, adaquavit oves earum.

Original

Hebrew
English
And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.

Notes

Exodus 2:17

rose up to help: Moses, now in a foreign land, still could not ignore oppression. He was, by nature, a rescuer.

Exodus 2:16–25

This passage shows the concern Moses felt for the oppressed. It describes his move to a new land (2:18–22). He married, had a child, and lived there for 40 years (Acts 7:30).

From a human perspective, rescuing the Israelites through Moses seemed impossible. But what God's perspective is what matters. The end of this section tells us that God had not forgotten his people (Exodus 2:23–25). He was only waiting for the right time to act (2:25).

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 Jethro (Reuel) Moses

Parallels

Acts 7:23–29

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Jethro Messiah Midian, Midianite Prophet, Prophetess

Topics

Jethro: Moses Spent Forty Years of Exile With, and Married his Daughter Moses: Joins Himself to Jethro, Priest of Midian Moses: Takes the Life of an Egyptian Taskmaster Sheep: Flocks of Watered Every Day Wells were a Frequent Cause of Strife Zipporah: Wife of Moses