Exodus 2:21

Translations

Modern

Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.

Traditional

And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

Literal

And Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.

Latin

Juravit ergo Moyses quod habitaret cum eo. Accepitque Sephoram filiam ejus uxorem:

Original

Hebrew

English

Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.

Notes

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

Related verses

Genesis 31:38–40
I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
1 Timothy 6:6
Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
Philippians 4:11–12
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
James 1:10
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
Hebrews 11:25
He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
Exodus 18:2–6
After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her,
Exodus 4:20–25
So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.
Exodus 2:10
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.”
Numbers 12:1
Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife.

Parallels

Acts 7:23–29

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt Zipporah: Wife of Moses, daughter of Jethro

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Jethro Messiah Midian, Midianite Zipporah

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 The Kenites: Moses: Intermarried With Zipporah: Wife of Moses

Exodus 2:21

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?