Exodus 2:11 - In those days, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his brothers, and looked at their burdens. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers.

Generated Verse: Exodus 2:11

What does "Exodus 2:11" mean?


Exodus 2:11 describes a pivotal moment in Moses's life, setting the stage for his future role as the leader of the Israelites. Let's break down the verse:

"In those days, when Moses had grown up...": This indicates that a significant amount of time has passed since the previous verses, where Moses was rescued from the Nile and raised in Pharaoh's household. Moses is now an adult, no longer just an infant.

"...he went out to his brothers...": This implies that Moses is aware of his Hebrew heritage and identifies with the Israelite people, despite being raised as an Egyptian prince. He is actively seeking them out. The term "brothers" here refers to his fellow Israelites.

"...and looked at their burdens.": This shows Moses's compassion and empathy towards the suffering of his people. He observes the harsh conditions of their forced labor and is likely moved by their plight.

"He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers.": This is the turning point. Moses witnesses an act of injustice and violence against an Israelite by an Egyptian taskmaster. This act is particularly significant because the Hebrew is referred to as "one of his brothers," reinforcing Moses's sense of kinship and shared identity.

In essence, the verse signifies:

Moses's Maturation and Awareness: He's grown into adulthood and is conscious of his Israelite identity.
Moses's Empathy and Compassion: He feels the pain and burdens of his people.
The Beginning of Moses's Identification with the Oppressed: Witnessing the abuse sparks a sense of responsibility and a desire to act. This is the catalyst that sets him on the path to becoming the liberator of the Israelites.
Conflict of Loyalties: Moses is caught between his upbringing as an Egyptian prince and his connection to his oppressed Hebrew brethren.

This verse is crucial for understanding Moses's character development and the events that lead to the Exodus. It shows him as a man of compassion and action, who is deeply affected by the suffering of his people. This sets the stage for his later decision to defend the oppressed and ultimately lead them to freedom.