Translations
Original
Notes
This event shows God’s grace (his undeserved kindness) and sovereignty (his complete rule and control). Pharaoh had ordered that Hebrew baby boys be killed. Yet Pharaoh’s daughter paid the mother of Moses to nurse him instead.
The story may suggest that the princess understood who the baby’s mother was. She did not ask questions that would have caused trouble. If this is correct, both women may have quietly understood the situation without speaking about it directly.
Moses was saved because God was working behind the events. He was not saved because someone was tricked or deceived.
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).
Events
- Birth of Mosesc. 1571 BC
Parallels
People
Hebrews: An ethnic group descended from Abraham Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during Moses' birth and early life
Glossary
Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Messiah Miriam Nurse Pharaoh’s Daughter
Topics
Adoption of Moses Children: Fondness and Care of Mothers For Children: Nurses For Egypt: Israel in Moses Adopted and Brought up by Pharaoh's Daughter God: Preserver: To Moses, in his Infancy Jochebed: Nurses Moses when he is Adopted by Pharaoh's Daughter Kindness: Pharaoh's Daughter to Moses Miriam: Watched Over Moses when he Was in the Little Basket Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh Nurse: General Scriptures Concerning Nurses