exodus-2:1-10,-hebrews-12:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:1

II.THE BIRTH, EDUCATION, AND EARLY LIFE OF MOSES.(1) There went.—Comp. Genesis 35:22; Hosea 1:3. The expression is idiomatic, and has no special force.A man of the house of Levi.—Note the extreme simplicity of this announcement; and compare it with the elaborate legends wherewith Oriental religions commonly surrounded the birth of those who were considered their founders, as Thoth, Zoroaster, Orpheus. Even the name of the man is here omitted as unimportant. It is difficult to conceive any one... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:2

(2) When she saw him that he was a goodly child.—St. Stephen says, that Moses was” comely before God”— ἀστεῖος τῷ θεῷ (Acts 7:20). Trogus Pompeius spoke of him as recommended by the beauty of his personal appearance (ap. Justin, Hist. Philipp. xxvi. 2). His infantine “goodliness” intensified the desire of his mother to save his life, but must not be re garded as the main cause of her anxiety.She hid him three months.—As long as she could hope to conceal him effectually. It must be remembered... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:3

(3) An ark of bulrushes.—Literally, a chest of the papyrus plant. The words used are both of Egyptian origin. Teb, teba, or tebat, is a “box” or chest in Egyptian, and is well Hebraised by tebah, or, as it is here vocalised, têybah. The papyrus plant was in Egyptian kam, as in modern Coptic, whence probably the Hebrew gôme. It was a material frequently used by the Egyptians for boats and even larger vessels (Isaiah 18:2; Theophrast. Hist. Plant, iv. 8, §4; P1in. H. N. 13:11).Slime and pitoh.—By... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:4

(4) His sister.—Presumably Miriam, the only sister of Moses mentioned elsewhere (Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers 26:59). To have taken the part which is assigned her in this chapter, she must have been a girl of some fourteen or fifteen years of age, and possessed of much quickness and intelligence. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:5

(5) The daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself.—This would be quite in accordance with Egyptian ideas. “Women were allowed great liberty in Egypt, and moved about much as they pleased. Cleanliness was especially regarded; and the Nile water was considered healthy and fructifying (Strab. 15 p. 695). The princess would, of course, seek a part of the river which was reserved for females. Probably Jochebed know where she was accustomed to bathe.Her maidens.—As a princess, she was, of course,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:6

(6) When she had opened it.—The princess opened the ark herself, perhaps suspecting what was inside, perhaps out of mere curiosity.The babe (rather, the boy) wept. Through hunger, or cold, or perhaps general discomfort. An ark of bulrushes could not have been a very pleasant cradle.She had compassion on him.—The babe’s tears moved her to pity; and her pity prompted her to save it. She must have shown some sign of her intention—perhaps by taking the child from the ark and fondling it—before... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:7

(7) Then said his sister.—Miriam had bided her time. She had still kept in the background, but had approached within hearing distance; and when the princess observed that the babe must be “one of the Hebrews’ children,” was prompt with the rejoinder, “Shall I not fetch thee then a Hebrew mother to nurse him?” If the child was to be nursed at all—if he was to be brought up—a Hebrew nurse would be the fittest.That she may nurse the child for thee.—“For thee.” Miriam divines the thought of the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:8

(8) The maid went and called the child’s mother.—Jochebed must have been waiting near, eagerly expecting—perhaps, while concealed from sight, watching the result, and ready to appear the moment that she was summoned. Miriam knew where to find her, and brought her quickly to the princess. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:9

(9) Nurse it for me.—The princess adopts Miriam’s suggestion; the child is to be nursed for her—is to be hers. She will place it out to nurse, and pay the customary wages. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:10

(10) The child grew.—Josephus regards these words as implying a growth that was strange and abnormal (Ant. Jud. ii. 9, § 6). But nothing more seems to be intended than nature’s ordinary course. The child grew and reached the time when it was usual in Egypt that children should be weaned. We have no means of determining what this time was. It may have been the completion of the first year; but more probably it was the completion of the second (2Ma. 7:27).She brought him unto Pharaoh’s... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:6

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:8

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:9

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 2:10

Group of Brands