Exodus 2:11-25 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 2:16-22

Moses here gains a settlement in Midian, just as his father Jacob had gained one in Syria, Gen. 29:2 And both these instances should encourage us to trust Providence, and to follow it. Events that seem inconsiderable, and purely accidental, after wards appear to have been designed by the wisdom of God for very good purposes, and of great consequence to his people. A casual transient occurrence has sometimes occasioned the greatest and happiest turns of a man's life. Observe, I. Concerning the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 2:23-25

Here is, 1. The continuance of the Israelites? bondage in Egypt, Exod. 2:23. Probably the murdering of their infants did not continue; this part of their affliction attended only the period immediately connected with the birth of Moses, and served to signalize it. The Egyptians now were content with their increase, finding that Egypt was enriched by their labour; so that they might have them for slaves, they cared not how many they were. On this therefore they were intent, to keep them all at... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:16

Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters ,.... Who being a descendant of Abraham might have retained the knowledge of the true God, and might be a priest of his, as Melchizedek was, or otherwise it may be thought improbable that Moses would have married his daughter, as he afterwards did; and so Aben Ezra says, he was a priest of God; though the word is sometimes used of a prince, ruler, and governor; and is so rendered here by the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; and Artapanus F18 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:17

And the shepherds came and drove them away ,.... The daughters of the priest of Midian, and their flock likewise; these were shepherds of some neighbouring princes or great men, who were so rude and slothful, and to save themselves a little trouble of drawing water, brought up their flocks to drink of the water those virgins had drawn, and to do this forced them and their flocks away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock ; moved to see such rude and uncivil... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 2:16-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 2:23-25

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 2:17

Group of Brands