Exodus 2:2
Exodus 2:2 in Multiple Translations
and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months.
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 the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
And she became with child and gave birth to a Son; and when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she kept him secretly for three months.
She became pregnant and had a son. She saw he was a lovely baby, and she hid him for three months.
And the woman coceiued and bare a sonne: and when she saw that he was faire, she hid him three moneths.
and the woman conceiveth, and beareth a son, and she seeth him that he [is] fair, and she hideth him three months,
The woman conceived and bore a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.
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 she conceived, and bore a son; and seeing him a goodly child hid him three months.
She became pregnant and gave birth to ◄a baby boy/me►. When she saw that he/I was a good-looking baby, she hid him/me for three months, because she was not willing to do what the king commanded.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 2:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 2:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תַּ֥הַר
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
וַ/תֵּ֣לֶד
בֵּ֑ן
וַ/תֵּ֤רֶא
אֹת/וֹ֙
כִּי
ט֣וֹב
ה֔וּא
וַֽ/תִּצְפְּנֵ֖/הוּ
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה
יְרָחִֽים
וַ/תַּ֥הַר
hârâh
H2029
to conceive
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Art | N-fs
וַ/תֵּ֣לֶד
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
בֵּ֑ן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
וַ/תֵּ֤רֶא
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
אֹת/וֹ֙
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
ט֣וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
ה֔וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
וַֽ/תִּצְפְּנֵ֖/הוּ
tsâphan
H6845
to treasure
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs | Suff
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
יְרָחִֽים
yerach
H3391
month
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 2:2
וַ/תַּ֥הַר
hârâh
H2029
"to conceive"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To conceive or become pregnant, as seen in the story of Sarah and Abraham in Genesis 17, where Sarah conceives Isaac in her old age. This word is used to describe the miracle of birth and new life.
Definition: 1) to conceive, become pregnant, bear, be with child, be conceived, progenitor 1a)(Qal) to conceive, become pregnant 1b) (Pual) to be conceived 1c) (Poel) to conceive, contrive, devise
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: been, be with child, conceive, progenitor. See also: Genesis 4:1; Numbers 11:12; Psalms 7:15.
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
וַ/תֵּ֣לֶד
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
בֵּ֑ן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וַ/תֵּ֤רֶא
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אֹת/וֹ֙
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
ט֣וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
ה֔וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וַֽ/תִּצְפְּנֵ֖/הוּ
tsâphan
H6845
"to treasure"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs | Suff
To treasure means to hide or store something valuable, like the treasures stored in the temple in 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to hide, treasure, treasure or store up 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to hide, treasure, treasure up 1a2) to lie hidden, lurk 1b) (Niphal) to be hidden, be stored up 1c) (Hiphil) to hide, hide from discovery
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: esteem, hide(-den one, self), lay up, lurk (be set) privily, (keep) secret(-ly, place). See also: Exodus 2:2; Psalms 31:21; Psalms 10:8.
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
יְרָחִֽים
yerach
H3391
"month"
N-mp
This word refers to a month or lunar cycle. It is also translated as moon in some contexts, and is used to describe a calendar month.
Definition: 1) month (lunar cycle), moon 1a) month 1b) calendar month Aramaic equivalent: ye.rach (יְרַח "month" H3393)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: month, moon. See also: Exodus 2:2; 2 Kings 15:13; Isaiah 60:20.
Study Notes — Exodus 2:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 2:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 2:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 2:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 2:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 2:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 2:2
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 2:2
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 2:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 2:2
- Sermons on Exodus 2:2
Context — The Birth and Adoption of Moses
1Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman,
2and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months.
3But when she could no longer hide him, she got him a papyrus basket and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in the basket and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4And his sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 11:23 | By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict. |
| 2 | Acts 7:20 | At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house. |
| 3 | Psalms 112:5 | It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice. |
Exodus 2:2 Summary
This verse tells us about the birth of Moses and how his mother hid him for three months because she saw that he was a beautiful child. She wanted to save him from being killed by Pharaoh's order, which is similar to the faith of the midwives in Exodus 1:17. We can learn from her example to have faith and trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances, just like the faith of Abraham in Genesis 22:1-14. By trusting in God, we can see the beauty and value in the people and circumstances that He has placed in our lives, and take risks to obey Him, as seen in Hebrews 11:23.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the mother of Moses hide him for three months?
The mother of Moses hid him for three months because she saw that he was a beautiful child, and she wanted to save him from the edict of Pharaoh to kill all Hebrew male babies, as seen in Exodus 1:22. This act of faith is similar to the faith of the midwives in Exodus 1:17, who also disobeyed Pharaoh's orders.
What does it mean that the child was 'beautiful'?
The term 'beautiful' in Exodus 2:2 suggests that the child was exceptionally healthy and handsome, which made his mother want to save him even more. This is similar to the description of Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:11 and 3:1, where he is also described as a special child.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story of Moses?
This verse sets the stage for the miraculous rescue of Moses by Pharaoh's daughter, as seen in Exodus 2:5-10, and ultimately leads to Moses becoming the leader of the Israelites, as foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15 and other verses.
What can we learn from the mother's actions in this verse?
The mother's actions demonstrate her trust in God and her willingness to take risks to obey Him, as seen in Hebrews 11:23, which commends her faith. We can learn from her example to have faith and trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances, just like the faith of Abraham in Genesis 22:1-14.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate faith and trust in God's sovereignty in my own life, just like the mother of Moses?
- How can I, like the mother of Moses, see the beauty and value in the people and circumstances that God has placed in my life?
- What are some risks that I need to take to obey God, and how can I trust Him to guide and protect me?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of hiding or protecting the things that are precious to God, just like the mother of Moses protected her son?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 2:2
And the woman conceived, and bare a son,.... Which was not her first child, nor indeed her first son, for she had both Aaron and Miriam before this: this son, which was Moses, was born, as the Jews
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 2:2
And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 2:2
Exodus 2:2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he [was a] goodly [child], she hid him three months.Ver. 2. A goodly child.] "Fair to God" See the note there. Art thou fair? be not like an Egyptian temple, where some beast is worshipped. Art thou foul? let thy soul be like a rich pearl in a rude shell. Aστειαςτω Yεω.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 2:2
(2) When she saw him that he was a goodly child.—St. Stephen says, that Moses was” comely before God”— ἀστεῖοςτῷθεῷ (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 that Egyptians were mixed up with Israelites in Goshen, and that each Hebrew household would be subjected to espionage from the time of the issue of the edict.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 2:2
Verse 2. Bare a son] This certainly was not her first child, for Aaron was fourscore and three years old when Moses was but fourscore, see Exodus 7:7: and there was a sister, probably Miriam, who was older than either; see below, Exodus 2:4, and see Numbers 26:59. Miriam and Aaron had no doubt been both born before the decree was passed for the destruction of the Hebrew male children, mentioned in the preceding chapter. Goodly child] The text simply says כי טיב הוא ki tob hu, that he was good, which signifies that he was not only a perfect, well-formed child, but that he was very beautiful; hence the Septuagint translate the place, Ιδοντεςδεαυτοαστειον, Seeing him to be beautiful, which St. Stephen interprets, ΗναστειοςτῳΘεῳ, He was comely to God, or divinely beautiful. This very circumstance was wisely ordained by the kind providence of God to be one means of his preservation. Scarcely any thing interests the heart more than the sight of a lovely babe in distress. His beauty would induce even his parents to double their exertions to save him, and was probably the sole motive which led the Egyptian princess to take such particular care of him, and to educate him as her own, which in all likelihood she would not have done had he been only an ordinary child.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 2:2
2. conceived, &c.] The expression (after ‘took,’ v. 1) suggests that, as in other similar cases (Hosea 1:3; Genesis 4:1; Genesis 4:17; Genesis 38:2 f.), Moses was his parents’ firstborn. A considerably older sister,—presumably Miriam,—appears, however, already in v. 4; and at least in P Aaron is represented as older than Moses by three years. It has hence been supposed that Aaron and Miriam were children of Amram by a former marriage: and it is noticed, as favouring this supposition, that Miriam is somewhat pointedly spoken of as Aaron’s sister (Exodus 15:20); and that Miriam and Aaron join together against Moses (Numbers 12:1). If this supposition be not adopted, it must be concluded that the narrator expressed himself inexactly. goodly] Heb. good, i.e. comely (cf. Genesis 6:2): LXX. ἀστεῖος (so Hebrews 11:23; and ἀστ. τῷθεῷ, Acts 7:20). Moses’ mother could not bring herself to part with such a fine infant; so she kept it with her as long as she could. In Hebrews 11:23, however, the beauty of the child is interpreted as a sign of the Divine favour resting upon him, and an omen that God had some great future in store for him, so that by ‘faith’ in this, his parents, heedless of the consequences of disobeying Pharaoh’s edict, hid him for three months.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 2:2
Bare a son - Not her firstborn; Aaron and Miriam were older than Moses. The object of the writer is simply to narrate the events which led to the Exodus, and he mentions nothing that had no direct bearing upon his purpose.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 2:2
2. She saw… he was a goodly child — Literally, he was beautiful: “beautiful before God,” says Stephen. Acts 7:20, in margin.
Sermons on Exodus 2:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Shantung Revival by Bertha Smith | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Stephen from the Bible. Stephen, at the age of forty, felt compelled to visit his brother and the children of Israel. He witnes |
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A Reluctant God by G.W. North | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the transformation that God brought about in a man over the course of 40 years. The man went from being quick-tempered and impatient to beco |
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Stephen's Landmark Sermon by Danny Bond | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Moses and how God trained him for forty years in the desert before calling him to be the deliverer of the Israelites. The preach |
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Desert Survival Series Pt 2- Moses the Man of Go by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker lays the foundation for a series on the birth and training of Moses. The birth of Moses reveals key principles that can be applied to different situatio |
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Building Up the Temple: A Mother's Influence by Aaron Hurst | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the influence of mothers on their children. He begins by quoting Lenin, who emphasized the importance of teaching children in their early year |
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Detailed Obedience by Brian Guerin | Brian Guerin emphasizes the significance of detailed obedience to God's voice, drawing parallels between the biblical story of Moses and contemporary issues such as abortion. He hi |
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Choosing Rather to Suffer by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of dedication and sacrifice in our pursuit of righteousness. He uses examples of athletes who train for hours every day to ach |