Exodus 1:22 - Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”
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What does "Exodus 1:22" mean?
Exodus 1:22 is a chilling depiction of Pharaoh's attempt to control the growing Israelite population, which he perceived as a threat. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"Pharaoh commanded all his people...": This highlights that the order was not just a suggestion, but a formal decree from the highest authority in Egypt. It was a systemic, state-sanctioned act.
"...saying, 'You shall cast every son who is born into the river...'": This is the core of the verse and reveals the horrific command.
"Cast into the river" means to drown the newborn baby boys in the Nile River.
The Nile was both the source of life for Egypt and a symbol of their god Hapi. Using it to kill the Israelite baby boys was a cruel and symbolic act.
The intention was to drastically reduce the male Israelite population, thereby weakening them and preventing them from potentially rising up against the Egyptians.
"...and every daughter you shall save alive.'": This part reveals a specific strategy behind the infanticide.
Keeping the daughters alive had a calculated purpose: they could be integrated into Egyptian society, forced into labor, or potentially marry Egyptian men, further assimilating the Israelites and diluting their identity.
The daughters would not pose the same immediate threat of rebellion as the sons, who would eventually grow into warriors.
In essence, Exodus 1:22 portrays a desperate and cruel act of genocide ordered by Pharaoh to control the Israelite population. It highlights the extreme measures taken out of fear and oppression, setting the stage for the story of Moses and the Exodus.
Exodus 1:22 - Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”
What does "Exodus 1:22" mean?
Exodus 1:22 is a chilling depiction of Pharaoh's attempt to control the growing Israelite population, which he perceived as a threat. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"Pharaoh commanded all his people...": This highlights that the order was not just a suggestion, but a formal decree from the highest authority in Egypt. It was a systemic, state-sanctioned act.
"...saying, 'You shall cast every son who is born into the river...'": This is the core of the verse and reveals the horrific command.
"Cast into the river" means to drown the newborn baby boys in the Nile River.
The Nile was both the source of life for Egypt and a symbol of their god Hapi. Using it to kill the Israelite baby boys was a cruel and symbolic act.
The intention was to drastically reduce the male Israelite population, thereby weakening them and preventing them from potentially rising up against the Egyptians.
"...and every daughter you shall save alive.'": This part reveals a specific strategy behind the infanticide.
Keeping the daughters alive had a calculated purpose: they could be integrated into Egyptian society, forced into labor, or potentially marry Egyptian men, further assimilating the Israelites and diluting their identity.
The daughters would not pose the same immediate threat of rebellion as the sons, who would eventually grow into warriors.
In essence, Exodus 1:22 portrays a desperate and cruel act of genocide ordered by Pharaoh to control the Israelite population. It highlights the extreme measures taken out of fear and oppression, setting the stage for the story of Moses and the Exodus.