Exodus 2:13-14

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 2:13

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:13

Verse 13 13.Behold, two men of the Hebrews. This perseverance shews that Moses was firm and determined in his design of returning to his brethren, and abandoning the Court; and that he had advisedly renounced its splendor, its wealth, and comforts, although he was by no means ignorant of the miseries to which he exposed himself, and how painful and disagreeable, nay, how ignominious a condition awaited him. Wherefore we need not wonder if the Apostle says, that he chose “rather to endure the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:14

Verse 14 14.Who made thee a prince? No wonder if the headstrong and wicked man repels angrily this mild admonition; for thus are those, who are disposed to injustice, accustomed to rage as soon as they are reproved, and to drive away good advisers with contumely. And certainly it is an uncommon virtue to acknowledge our faults, and patiently to submit to correction. For in proportion to a man’s evil disposition, and to the greatness of his offense, is his rage under admonition, and his violence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:11-15

FIRST ATTEMPT OF MOSES TO DELIVER HIS NATION , AND ITS FAILURE . After Moses was grown up — according to the tradition accepted by St. Stephen ( Acts 7:23 ), when he was "full forty years old" — having become by some means or other acquainted with the circumstances of his birth, which had most probably never been concealed from him, he determined to "go out" to his brethren, see with his own eyes what their treatment was, and do his best to alleviate it. He had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:11-15

Unpurified zeal. We must certainly attribute the killing of the Egyptian, not to Divine inspiration, but to the natural impetuosity of Moses' character. At this stage Moses had zeal, but it was without knowledge. His heart burned with indignation at the wrongs of his brethren. He longed to be their deliverer. Something told him that "God by his hand would deliver them" ( Acts 7:25 ). But how to proceed he knew not. His plans had taken no definite shape. There was no revelation, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:11-15

Moses "was grown." According to the tradition he had already distinguished himself as a warrior — was "a prince and a judge" amongst the Egyptians, if not over the Hebrews ( Exodus 2:14 ). Learned, too, in all the wisdom of the day (cf Acts 7:22 ). At his age, forty years, with his influence, surely if ever he was to do anything for his people, now must be the time. Notice: I . THE HASTY MISCALCULATION OF THE MAN . 1. What he did, and why he did it. "It came into his... read more

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