Exodus 2:4
Exodus 2:4 in Multiple Translations
And his sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
And his sister took her place at a distance to see what would become of him.
His sister waited some distance away, keeping an eye on him.
Now his sister stood a farre off, to wit what would come of him.
and his sister stationeth herself afar off, to know what is done to him.
His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him.
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
His sister standing afar off, and taking notice what would be done.
His/My older sister was standing not far away, watching to see what would happen to him/me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 2:4
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 2:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֵּתַצַּ֥ב
אֲחֹת֖/וֹ
מֵ/רָחֹ֑ק
לְ/דֵעָ֕ה
מַה
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה
לֽ/וֹ
וַ/תֵּתַצַּ֥ב
yâtsab
H3320
to stand
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3fs
אֲחֹת֖/וֹ
ʼâchôwth
H269
sister
N-fs | Suff
מֵ/רָחֹ֑ק
râchôwq
H7350
distant
Prep | Adj
לְ/דֵעָ֕ה
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 2:4
וַ/תֵּתַצַּ֥ב
yâtsab
H3320
"to stand"
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3fs
To stand or place something firmly is what this word means, and it's used in the Bible to describe presenting oneself or standing firm in faith, as seen in the book of Psalms.
Definition: 1) to place, set, stand, set or station oneself, present oneself 1a) (Hithpael) to station oneself, take one's stand, stand, present oneself, stand with someone Aramaic equivalent: ye.tsav (יְצַב "to know" H3321)
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up). See also: Exodus 2:4; 1 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 2:2.
אֲחֹת֖/וֹ
ʼâchôwth
H269
"sister"
N-fs | Suff
A sister in the Bible can be a biological sibling, a half-sister, or a close relative. In Genesis 4:2, Cain's sister is not named, but in Genesis 24:15, Rebekah is Isaac's cousin and future wife.
Definition: 1) sister 1a) sister (same parents) 1b) half-sister (same father) 1c) relative 1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship 1d) beloved 1d1) bride 1e) (fig.) of intimate connection 1f) another
Usage: Occurs in 104 OT verses. KJV: (an-) other, sister, together. See also: Genesis 4:22; 2 Samuel 13:22; Proverbs 7:4.
מֵ/רָחֹ֑ק
râchôwq
H7350
"distant"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word means something or someone is far away, either physically or in time. It is often used to describe distant lands or events that happened long ago. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: adj 1) remote, far, distant, distant lands, distant ones 1a) of distance, time n m 2) distance 2a) from a distance (with prep) Aramaic equivalent: ra.chiq (רְחִיק "far" H7352)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: (a-) far (abroad, off), long ago, of old, space, great while to come. See also: Genesis 22:4; Psalms 65:6; Psalms 10:1.
לְ/דֵעָ֕ה
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Exodus 2:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 2:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 2:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 2:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 2:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 2:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 2:4
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 2:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 2:4
- Sermons on Exodus 2:4
Context — The Birth and Adoption of Moses
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.
5Soon 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. 6When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the little boy was crying. So she had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrew children.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 26:59 | and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. |
| 2 | Exodus 15:20 | Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. |
| 3 | Micah 6:4 | For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses before you, as well as Aaron and Miriam. |
| 4 | Numbers 20:1 | In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. |
| 5 | Numbers 12:1–15 | Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife. “Does the LORD speak only through Moses?” they said. “Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard this. Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. And suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three, come out to the Tent of Meeting.” So the three went out, and the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the Tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had stepped forward, He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?” So the anger of the LORD burned against them, and He departed. As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous, and said to Moses, “My lord, please do not hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. Please do not let her be like a stillborn infant whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, please heal her!” But the LORD answered Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.” So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until she was brought in again. |
Exodus 2:4 Summary
[This verse tells us that Moses' sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to her baby brother, who had been placed in a basket in the Nile River. She trusted God to take care of him, and we can learn from her example of faith and trust. Just like God took care of Moses, He also promises to take care of us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Matthew 6:25-34. By trusting in God's provision, we can have peace and confidence, even in difficult circumstances.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Moses' sister stand at a distance to see what would happen to him?
Moses' sister stood at a distance to ensure her brother's safety and to see how God would provide for him, as seen in Exodus 2:4, similar to how God provided for Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 21:19-20.
What can we learn from Moses' sister's actions in this verse?
We can learn about the importance of faith and trust in God's provision, as well as the value of family and sibling love, as demonstrated in Exodus 2:4 and also in the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-16.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Moses and the Israelites?
This verse is a crucial part of the story of Moses' early life and sets the stage for his future role as leader of the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 2-4 and Deuteronomy 34:10-12.
What does this verse teach us about God's sovereignty and care for His people?
This verse shows how God is actively involved in the lives of His people, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, as seen in Exodus 2:4 and also in Psalm 23:4 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- How can I, like Moses' sister, trust God to provide for those I care about and stand back to see how He will work?
- What are some ways I can demonstrate faith and trust in God's provision in my own life, just as Moses' sister did in Exodus 2:4?
- How can I balance my desire to control outcomes with the need to trust God and let Him work, as seen in this verse and in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of family and sibling relationships, and how can I apply that to my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 2:4
And his sister stood afar off,.... This was Miriam, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it; who is supposed to be about ten or twelve years of age, others say seven: she was placed (e), as the word
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 2:4
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. His sister - Miriam would probably be a girl of 10 or 12 years of age at the time.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 2:4
His sister stood afar off, that she might not be thought to have laid the child there, or to be related to it. This she might very probably guess, both from the circumstances in which she found him, and from the singular fairness and beauty of the child, far differing from the Egyptian hue; and she might certainly know it by its circumcision.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 2:4
Exodus 2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.Ver. 4. And his sister.] By a singular instinct of the Holy Spirit, as appears by the event. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." "He keepeth the feet of his saints."
Ellicott's Commentary on 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.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 2:4
4. stood] took her stand (Exodus 19:17).
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 2:4
4. His sister — Probably Miriam, who is the only sister named in the history. Numbers 26:59. The mother has now exhausted all her skill; she can think of but one thing more — to station Miriam afar off.
Sermons on Exodus 2:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Your Little Brother by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the profound responsibility that older siblings have towards their younger brothers, highlighting the significant influence they wield in shaping their chara |
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A Case of Conscience Resolved by John Bunyan | John Bunyan addresses the contentious issue of whether women in a church should separate from men to conduct their own prayer meetings. He argues against this practice, emphasizing |
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Examples of Circumspect Behaviour by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome emphasizes the holy and separate lifestyles of the prophets and apostles, highlighting their dedication to serving God without the distractions of relationships wit |
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"God Manifesting Himself in Adversity 2" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes that God often reveals Himself in times of adversity, using the example of Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. He explains that adversity serves as a |
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"God Manifesting Himself in Adversity 1" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes that God often reveals Himself in times of adversity, using the example of Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. He explains that while God desires to m |
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Speak Ye Unto the Rock by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit, comparing it to the delicate nature of love that cannot be won through force but through trust and affection. He illustr |
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Brokenness - Part 1 by David Smithers | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of brokenness and humility in the Christian walk. He uses the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 as an example of how even a sm |