Back to Exodus 2

Exodus 2:2-10

The woman conceived and bore a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him. Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe at the river. Her maidens walked along by the riverside. She saw the basket among the reeds, and sent her servant to get it. She opened it, and saw the child, and behold, the baby cried. She had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” The young woman went and called the child’s mother.

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” The woman took the child, and nursed it.

The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

World English Bible · Public Domain
Show the surrounding paragraph

Exodus 2:2-10 sits inside this longer paragraph.

A man of the house of Levi went and took a daughter of Levi as his wife. The woman conceived and bore a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him. Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe at the river. Her maidens walked along by the riverside. She saw the basket among the reeds, and sent her servant to get it. She opened it, and saw the child, and behold, the baby cried. She had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” The young woman went and called the child’s mother.

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” The woman took the child, and nursed it.

The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Read all of Exodus 2 →

Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    The woman conceived and bore a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.

    When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.

    His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him.

    Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe at the river. Her maidens walked along by the riverside. She saw the basket among the reeds, and sent her servant to get it.

    She opened it, and saw the child, and behold, the baby cried. She had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

    Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

    Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” The young woman went and called the child’s mother.

    Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” The woman took the child, and nursed it.

    The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

  • KJV King James Version

    And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

    And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.

    And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

    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.

    And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.

    Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

    And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.

    And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.

    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.

Show all 3 translations
  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And the woman conceived, and bore a son; and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

    And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch; and she put the child therein, and laid it in the flags by the river's brink.

    And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

    And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe in the river; and her maidens walked along by the river-side; and she saw the ark among the flags, and sent her handmaid to fetch it.

    And she opened it, and saw it, even the child; and behold a boy that wept. And she had compassion on him, and said: 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.'

    Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter: 'Shall I go and call thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?'

    And Pharaoh's daughter said to her: 'Go.' And the maiden went and called the child's mother.

    And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her: 'Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.' And the woman took the child, and nursed it.

    And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses, and said: 'Because I drew him out of the water.'

View more translations →

Examined in Scripture Analysis

Science (1)

Historical claims about the natural world, weighed against the scientific record.

Explore Science →

Cross-references (48)

  • Hebrews 11:23 (v2) By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they…
  • Acts 7:20 (v2) At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father’s house.
  • Acts 7:21 (vv5–6) When he was thrown out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up and reared him as her own son.
  • Acts 7:21-22 (v10) When he was thrown out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up and reared him as her own son. Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the…
  • Hebrews 11:24 (v10) By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
Show all 44 cross-references
  • Genesis 16:11 (v10) Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because Yahweh has heard…
  • 1 Samuel 1:20 (v10) When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of Yahweh.”
  • Numbers 26:59 (vv4, 7) The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam…
  • Matthew 1:21 (v10) She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
  • Galatians 4:5 (v10) that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.
  • 1 John 3:1 (v10) See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us,…
  • Exodus 15:20 (vv4, 7) Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with…
  • Genesis 4:25 (v10) Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for…
  • Genesis 48:5 (v10) Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as…
  • Exodus 1:22 (v3) Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”
  • Psalms 9:9 (v5) Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.
  • Psalms 12:5 (v5) “Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says Yahweh; “I will set him in safety…
  • Genesis 6:14 (v3) Make a ship of gopher wood. You shall make rooms in the ship, and shall seal it inside and outside with pitch.
  • Psalms 27:10 (v8) When my father and my mother forsake me, then Yahweh will take me up.
  • Isaiah 46:3-4 (v8) “Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been carried from their birth, that have been carried…
  • Micah 6:4 (v4) For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
  • Acts 7:19 (v3) The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay…
  • Exodus 6:20 (v8) Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. The years of the life of Amram were one…
  • Exodus 8:20 (v5) Yahweh said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he comes out to the water; and tell him, ‘This is…
  • 1 Kings 8:50 (v6) and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions in which they have transgressed against you; and give…
  • Psalms 46:1 (v5) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
  • Isaiah 18:2 (v3) that sends ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of papyrus on the waters, saying, “Go, you swift messengers, to a nation tall and…
  • 1 Peter 3:8 (v6) Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,
  • Exodus 2:4 (v7) His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him.
  • Matthew 2:16 (v3) Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were…
  • Exodus 7:15 (v5) Go to Pharaoh in the morning. Behold, he is going out to the water. You shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him. You shall take the rod…
  • Nehemiah 1:11 (v6) Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your…
  • Psalms 106:46 (v6) He made them also to be pitied by all those who carried them captive.
  • Matthew 2:13 (v3) Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his…
  • Proverbs 21:1 (vv5–6) The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
  • Genesis 11:3 (v3) They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.
  • Numbers 12:1 (v7) Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.
  • Ezekiel 16:8 (v8) “ ‘ “Now when I passed by you, and looked at you, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered your…
  • Numbers 20:1 (v4) The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month. The people stayed in Kadesh.…
  • Psalms 76:10 (v5) Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained.
  • Genesis 14:10 (v3) Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to…
  • Numbers 12:1-15 (v4) Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has…
  • 1 Kings 17:6 (v5) The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook.
  • Isaiah 19:6 (v3) The rivers will become foul. The streams of Egypt will be diminished and dried up. The reeds and flags will wither away.

44 distinct cross-references across this passage (48 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (21 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3, 8 Committing him to the providence of God, whom she…

Committing him to the providence of God, whom she could not keep from the rage of the tyrant.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–10 Exo 2:2 And the woman conceived, and bare a…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 6, 10 She could not longer hide him, with safety to…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v5 Here is, I. Moses saved from perishing. Come see…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–10 And the woman conceived, and bare a son,.... Which…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5, 10 Bare a son - It seems just at the…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10 Verse 2. Bare a son] This certainly was not…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5, 10 Exo 2:2. Bare a son — It seems just…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5, 6, 10 Bare a son - Not her firstborn; Aaron and…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 Goodly. Handsome, elegant, Hebrews xi. 23; agreeable to God,…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 the woman . . . bare a son, &c.--Some…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 2. She saw… he was a goodly child —…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–10 2. conceived, &c.] The expression (after ‘took,’ v. 1)…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–10 (2) When she saw him that he was a…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 And the woman conceived. Not for the first time,…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv5, 9, 10 This is one of the Hebrews children.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv5, 10 Exo_2:6. She saw the child] This verse is surpassingly…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v2 Moses, type of Christ the Deliverer Isa 61:1; Luk…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v5 Moses adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 5, 7, 9 papyrus basket
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv2, 3, 5, 7, 10 2:2 a special baby (literally he was good): This…
Share