Keraia
Exodus 2

Exodus 2:5

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

Translations

Modern
Soon the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe in the Nile, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. And when she saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maidservant to retrieve it.
Traditional
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
Literal
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the River, and her maidens were walking along the hand of the River. And she saw the ark in the midst of the reeds, and she sent her maidservant and she took it.
Latin
Ecce autem descendebat filia Pharaonis ut lavaretur in flumine: et puellæ ejus gradiebantur per crepidinem alvei. Quæ cum vidisset fiscellam in papyrione, misit unam e famulabus suis: et allatam

Original

Hebrew
English
Soon the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe in the Nile, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. And when she saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maidservant to retrieve it.

Notes

Exodus 2:5–6

The Egyptians believed that the Nile River was a goddess. They thought she gave life and healing. In this way, the Nile was similar to how some people in modern India view the Ganges River.

When Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe in the river, she was doing more than washing herself. She was likely taking part in her morning religious practice.

When she found the baby floating on the river, she may have seen this as a sign from the Nile goddess. In her view, the child was in the care of the goddess. This would have made the discovery very important to her.

It is also natural for someone to feel compassion for a crying baby. These reasons together may explain why she rescued the child. She understood that he was a Hebrew boy. Hebrews and Egyptians practiced circumcision in different ways, which likely helped her recognize this.

These factors may explain why she rescued the child, even though she could tell he was Hebrew. Hebrews and Egyptians had different circumcision practices.

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

Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during Moses' birth and early life Pharaoh's daughter: Daughter of Pharaoh - Rescued and adopted Moses

Places

Nile: The major river of Egypt, mentioned in various contexts

Glossary

Aaron Bathe, Bathing Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Egypt, Egyptian Messiah Miriam Nile River Papyrus Pharaoh’s Daughter

Topics

Adoption of Moses Children: Fondness and Care of Mothers For Egypt: Israel in Moses Adopted and Brought up by Pharaoh's Daughter Flag: (Rv , Bulrush) God: Preserver: To Moses, in his Infancy Jochebed: Nurses Moses when he is Adopted by Pharaoh's Daughter Miriam: Watched Over Moses when he Was in the Little Basket Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh Rivers: Banks of Covered with Flags Rivers: Useful For: Bathing the River Nile: The Egyptians: Bathed In