This verse from Exodus 2:7 is a pivotal moment in the story of Moses. Let's break down what it means:
Context: Pharaoh had ordered all newborn Hebrew boys to be killed to control the growing Hebrew population. Moses' mother hid him for three months, then placed him in a basket in the Nile River, hoping to save him. Pharaoh's daughter found the baby, took pity on him, and decided to raise him as her own son.
"Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter...": This refers to Moses' sister, traditionally named Miriam, although she isn't named explicitly in this verse. She had been watching from a distance to see what would happen to her baby brother.
"...“Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”": This is the key part. Pharaoh's daughter had decided to raise Moses, but a newborn baby needs to be nursed. Miriam cleverly offers to find a Hebrew woman to be the nurse.
Significance:
Miriam's Cleverness: Miriam's question is strategically brilliant. It allows Pharaoh's daughter to fulfill her desire to care for the baby while ensuring that Moses is raised by his own mother (unbeknownst to Pharaoh's daughter).
Preservation of Moses' Heritage: It sets up a situation where Moses will be nursed and likely influenced by his own mother, preserving his connection to his Hebrew heritage even while he grows up in the Egyptian palace.
Divine Providence: This verse is often seen as an example of God's hand working behind the scenes to protect Moses and ensure the fulfillment of His plans. God used Miriam's quick thinking and Pharaoh's daughter's compassion to safeguard the future deliverer of the Israelites.
In essence, this verse depicts a moment of cunning and bravery by Miriam, guided by divine intervention, which allows Moses to be raised by his own mother while living within the safety of Pharaoh's court, setting the stage for his eventual role as the leader of the Exodus. It shows how even in the face of great oppression, hope and salvation can emerge through unexpected channels.
This verse from Exodus 2:7 is a pivotal moment in the story of Moses. Let's break down what it means:
Context: Pharaoh had ordered all newborn Hebrew boys to be killed to control the growing Hebrew population. Moses' mother hid him for three months, then placed him in a basket in the Nile River, hoping to save him. Pharaoh's daughter found the baby, took pity on him, and decided to raise him as her own son.
"Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter...": This refers to Moses' sister, traditionally named Miriam, although she isn't named explicitly in this verse. She had been watching from a distance to see what would happen to her baby brother.
"...“Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”": This is the key part. Pharaoh's daughter had decided to raise Moses, but a newborn baby needs to be nursed. Miriam cleverly offers to find a Hebrew woman to be the nurse.
Significance:
Miriam's Cleverness: Miriam's question is strategically brilliant. It allows Pharaoh's daughter to fulfill her desire to care for the baby while ensuring that Moses is raised by his own mother (unbeknownst to Pharaoh's daughter).
Preservation of Moses' Heritage: It sets up a situation where Moses will be nursed and likely influenced by his own mother, preserving his connection to his Hebrew heritage even while he grows up in the Egyptian palace.
Divine Providence: This verse is often seen as an example of God's hand working behind the scenes to protect Moses and ensure the fulfillment of His plans. God used Miriam's quick thinking and Pharaoh's daughter's compassion to safeguard the future deliverer of the Israelites.
In essence, this verse depicts a moment of cunning and bravery by Miriam, guided by divine intervention, which allows Moses to be raised by his own mother while living within the safety of Pharaoh's court, setting the stage for his eventual role as the leader of the Exodus. It shows how even in the face of great oppression, hope and salvation can emerge through unexpected channels.