Exodus 2:19 - They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and moreover he drew water for us, and watered the flock.”

Generated Verse: Exodus 2:19

What does "Exodus 2:19" mean?


This verse, Exodus 2:19, is spoken by the daughters of Reuel (also known as Jethro), a priest of Midian, to their father. It describes an event that happened earlier in the day when they were tending their flock at a well. Let's break it down:

"They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds...": The daughters are telling their father that an Egyptian man (Moses) had rescued them from the harassment of other shepherds. It was common for shepherds to compete for access to water, and often, stronger shepherds would try to drive away weaker ones to take their share. Moses had intervened and protected them from this.

"...and moreover he drew water for us, and watered the flock.”: Not only did Moses protect them, but he also went above and beyond by drawing water from the well and watering their flock. This was a significant act of kindness and helpfulness, as drawing water, especially for a large flock, was physically demanding.

In Summary

The verse highlights Moses's heroic actions and kindness. He rescued the daughters from the unfair treatment of other shepherds and generously helped them water their flock. It demonstrates:

Moses's protective nature: He's willing to stand up for the vulnerable.
Moses's strength and competence: He was capable of physically defending the daughters and drawing water.
Moses's kindness and compassion: He went beyond simply protecting them and actively helped them with their work.
Misidentification of Moses: The daughters believe Moses to be Egyptian. This is because he was raised in the Egyptian court and likely dressed and spoke like an Egyptian at this time. They are unaware of his Hebrew heritage.

This verse sets the stage for Moses's integration into Jethro's household and his eventual marriage to one of the daughters, Zipporah. It's a crucial turning point in Moses's life, marking his transition from a fugitive prince of Egypt to a shepherd in Midian, a role that would later prepare him to lead the Israelites out of slavery.

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