Exodus 2:17 - The shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

Generated Verse: Exodus 2:17

What does "Exodus 2:17" mean?


This verse from Exodus 2:17 tells a story about Moses' early life and reveals some important aspects of his character. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"The shepherds came and drove them away...": This establishes a conflict. The daughters of Jethro, a priest of Midian, were trying to water their father's flock at a well, but male shepherds were bullying them and preventing them from doing so. This highlights the women's vulnerability and the injustice they were facing.
"...but Moses stood up and helped them...": This is the pivotal moment. Moses, an outsider in Midian, witnesses the injustice and takes action. "Stood up" implies he intervened directly and confronted the shepherds. This shows Moses' courage, sense of justice, and willingness to help those in need, even at his own risk.
"...and watered their flock.": Moses didn't just drive the bullies away; he actively helped the women complete their task. This demonstrates his compassion and his practical nature. He wasn't afraid to get involved in manual labor to assist those who were being mistreated.

In essence, this verse portrays Moses as a righteous, compassionate, and brave individual who is willing to defend the weak and stand up against injustice.

Significance:

Character Development: This incident foreshadows Moses' later role as the liberator of the Israelites. It establishes him as a champion of the oppressed.
Divine Providence: Some interpret this event as part of God's plan for Moses. It's one of the events that leads him to be welcomed into Jethro's household, where he will live for many years and eventually receive the call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
Themes of Justice and Compassion: The verse reinforces the importance of defending the vulnerable and treating others with kindness and fairness. It is an example of someone taking action to rectify a wrong, and helping those who were treated unjustly.