Exodus 2:11-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 2:11-15

Moses had now passed the first forty years of his life in the court of Pharaoh, preparing himself for business; and now it was time for him to enter upon action, and, I. He boldly owns and espouses the cause of God's people: When Moses was grown he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens, Exod. 2:11. The best exposition of these words we have from an inspired pen, Heb. 11:24-26, where we are told that by this he expressed, 1. His holy contempt of the honours and pleasures of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:11

And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown ,.... To man's estate; some of the Jewish writers say he was eighteen, others twenty years of age F5 Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 5. 2. , but Stephen, who is most to be credited, says he was full forty years of age, Acts 7:23 , that he went out unto his brethren the Hebrews : whom he knew to be his brethren, either by divine revelation, or by conversing with his nurse, who was his mother; who, doubtless, instructed him while he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:12

And he looked this way, and that way ,.... All around, to observe if there were any within sight who could see what he did; which did not arise from any consciousness of any evil he was about to commit, but for his own preservation, lest if seen he should be accused to Pharaoh, and suffer for it: and when he saw that there was no man ; near at hand, that could see what he did, and be a witness against him: he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand ; in a sandy desert place hard... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:13

And when he went out the second day ,.... The day following: behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together ; which the Jewish writers F8 Targum Jon. & Jarchi in loc. Shemoth Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 91. 4. Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 5. 2. Pirke Eliezer, c. 48. take to be Dathan and Abiram: and he said to him that did the wrong ; who was the aggressor, and acted the wicked part in abusing his brother: wherefore smitest thou thy fellow ? friend and companion; signifying, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:14

And he said, who made thee a prince and a judge over us ?.... God had designed him for one, and so he appeared to be afterwards; but this man's meaning is, that he was not appointed by Pharaoh's order then, and so had nothing to do to interfere in their differences and quarrels; though Moses did not take upon him to act in an authoritative way, but to exhort and persuade them to peace and love, as they were brethren: intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? if this was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:15

Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses ,.... Both for his killing the Egyptian, which by the laws of Egypt F9 Diodor. Sicul. Bibliothec. l. 1. p. 70. was death, whether bond or free; and for his taking part with the Hebrews against the Egyptians, and knowing him to be a wise and valiant man, might fear he would put himself at the head of the Hebrews, and cause a revolt of them; and if there was anything in his dream, or if he had such an one, and had the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:11

When Moses was grown - Being full forty years of age, as St. Stephen says, Acts 7:23 , it came into his heart to visit his brethren, i.e., he was excited to it by a Divine inspiration; and seeing one of them suffer wrong, by an Egyptian smiting him, probably one of the task-masters, he avenged him and smote - slew, the Egyptian, supposing that God who had given him commission, had given also his brethren to understand that they were to be delivered by his hand; see Acts 7:23-25 .... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:13

Two men of the Hebrews strove together - How strange that in the very place where they were suffering a heavy persecution because they were Hebrews, the very persons themselves who suffered it should be found persecuting each other! It has been often seen that in those times in which the ungodly oppressed the Church of Christ, its own members have been separated from each other by disputes concerning comparatively unessential points of doctrine and discipline, in consequence of which both... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:14

And Moses feared - He saw that the Israelites were not as yet prepared to leave their bondage; and that though God had called him to be their leader, yet his providence had not yet sufficiently opened the way; and had he stayed in Egypt he must have endangered his life. Prudence therefore dictated an escape for the present to the land of Midian. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:15

Pharaoh - sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh - How can this be reconciled with Hebrews 11:27 ; : By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king? Very easily. The apostle speaks not of this forsaking of Egypt, but of his and the Israelites' final departure from it, and of the bold and courageous manner in which Moses treated Pharaoh and the Egyptians, disregarding his threatenings and the multitudes of them that pursued after the people whom,... read more

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