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Matthew Henry

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:11

Verse 11 11.And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown. Now did that faith which the Apostle celebrates begin to shew itself, when Moses, despising the pleasures and riches of the Court, chose rather to suffer the reproach of Christ, than to be accounted happy apart from companionship with the chosen people. Nor was it only love for his nation, but faith in the promises, which induced him to undertake this charge, by which he knew that he should incur the hatred of all the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:12

Verse 12 12.And he looked this way and that way. Hence it more evidently appears that Moses came with the design of succouring his unhappy brethren, and of relieving and aiding them with his help, since, by killing the Egyptian, he avenged the injury done indeed to an individual, but having a bearing on the whole nation. But although he was inspired by the Holy Spirit with special courage for the performance of this act, still it was accompanied with an infirmity, which shews that he did not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:1-11

A child of providence. This section recounts the birth, deliverance, and upbringing at the court of Pharaoh, of the future Deliverer of Israel. In which we have to notice — I . AN ACT OF FAITH ON THE PART OF MOSES ' PARENTS . The faith of Moses' parents is signalised in the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Hebrews 11:23 ). Observe — 1. The occasion of its trial. The king's edict threatened the child's life. The ease of Moses was peculiar, yet not entirely so. No... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:11

When Moses was grown . "When he had become a .mall of vigour and intelligence" (Kalisch). He went out. The expression is emphatic, and accords with the view above exhibited — that a complete change in the life of Moses was now effected, that the court was quitted, with its attractions and its temptations, its riches and its pleasures; and the position of adopted child of a princess forfeited. He spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew. It is not certain that this was one of the "taskmasters" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:11-12

§1. Moses as a would-be deliverer. Moses, as a would-be deliverer, shows us how zeal may outrun discretion. Actuated by deep love for his brethren, he had quitted the court, resigned his high prospects, thrown in his lot with his nation, and "gone out" to see with his own eyes their condition. No doubt he came upon many sights which vexed and angered him, but was able to restrain himself. At last, however, he became witness of a grievous — an extreme — case of oppression. Some Hebrew, we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 2:11-12

The choice of Moses. Underlying this episode of killing the Egyptian there is that crisis in the history of Moses to which reference is made so strikingly in the eleventh of the Hebrews — "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather," etc. ( Hebrews 11:24-27 ). Two views may be taken of the episode. Either, as might be held, the elements of decision were floating in an unfixed state in the mind of Moses, when this event... read more

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