Exodus 2:22 - She bore a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, “I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land.”
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What does "Exodus 2:22" mean?
This verse from Exodus 2:22 tells us that Moses, after fleeing Egypt and finding refuge in Midian, had a son. He named his son Gershom, and the reason for the name is the key to understanding the verse.
"She bore a son, and he named him Gershom..." This establishes the birth and naming of Moses' son.
"...for he said, 'I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land.'" This is the etymological explanation for the name Gershom.
Gershom (גרשם) is derived from the Hebrew word ger (גר), meaning "stranger," "foreigner," or "sojourner."
Moses' explanation emphasizes his own status: he is an alien, an outsider, in Midian. He is not part of the local community or culture.
Therefore, the meaning of the verse is:
Moses named his son Gershom to commemorate and express his feeling of being a stranger and an outsider in the land of Midian where he had taken refuge. He was not at home; he was a foreigner. The name itself served as a constant reminder of his displaced status and his separation from his own people in Egypt.
Significance:
Moses' Identity: The verse highlights Moses' sense of alienation. He is not Egyptian (where he was raised) nor Midianite (where he is residing). He is a Hebrew, but he's cut off from his people.
Foreshadowing: It indirectly foreshadows the larger theme of the Exodus story: God's liberation of the Israelites from their own status as foreigners and slaves in Egypt. Moses' personal experience as a "foreigner" resonates with the collective experience of his people.
Empathy and Leadership: Perhaps his own experience as a foreigner allowed him to later be a more empathetic leader to the Israelites who were in a similar position.
In essence, Gershom's name is a poignant reminder of Moses' exiled state and a powerful indicator of the themes of displacement and identity that are central to the Book of Exodus.
Exodus 2:22 - She bore a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, “I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land.”
What does "Exodus 2:22" mean?
This verse from Exodus 2:22 tells us that Moses, after fleeing Egypt and finding refuge in Midian, had a son. He named his son Gershom, and the reason for the name is the key to understanding the verse.
"She bore a son, and he named him Gershom..." This establishes the birth and naming of Moses' son.
"...for he said, 'I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land.'" This is the etymological explanation for the name Gershom.
Gershom (גרשם) is derived from the Hebrew word ger (גר), meaning "stranger," "foreigner," or "sojourner."
Moses' explanation emphasizes his own status: he is an alien, an outsider, in Midian. He is not part of the local community or culture.
Therefore, the meaning of the verse is:
Moses named his son Gershom to commemorate and express his feeling of being a stranger and an outsider in the land of Midian where he had taken refuge. He was not at home; he was a foreigner. The name itself served as a constant reminder of his displaced status and his separation from his own people in Egypt.
Significance:
Moses' Identity: The verse highlights Moses' sense of alienation. He is not Egyptian (where he was raised) nor Midianite (where he is residing). He is a Hebrew, but he's cut off from his people.
Foreshadowing: It indirectly foreshadows the larger theme of the Exodus story: God's liberation of the Israelites from their own status as foreigners and slaves in Egypt. Moses' personal experience as a "foreigner" resonates with the collective experience of his people.
Empathy and Leadership: Perhaps his own experience as a foreigner allowed him to later be a more empathetic leader to the Israelites who were in a similar position.
In essence, Gershom's name is a poignant reminder of Moses' exiled state and a powerful indicator of the themes of displacement and identity that are central to the Book of Exodus.