Exodus 2:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took [to wife] a daughter of Levi.

Complete Jewish Bible:

A man from the family of Levi took a woman also descended from Levi as his wife.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now a man of the house of Levi married a daughter of Levi,

American Standard Version:

And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And there went{H3212} a man{H376} of the house{H1004} of Levi{H3878}, and took{H3947} to wife a daughter{H1323} of Levi{H3878}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Numbers 26:59

  • And the name of Amram's wife [was] Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom [her mother] bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

1 Chronicles 23:12

  • The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.

1 Chronicles 23:14

  • Now [concerning] Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.

Exodus 6:16

  • And these [are] the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi [were] an hundred thirty and seven years.

Exodus 6:20

  • And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram [were] an hundred and thirty and seven years.

1 Chronicles 6:1

  • ¶ The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 6:3

  • And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

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Commentary for Exodus 2:1

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Providence:** The verse hints at God's oversight in the lives of individuals, as the marriage of a Levite man and woman would later result in the birth of Moses, a key figure in Israel's liberation.
- **Lineage and Heritage:** The emphasis on the tribe of Levi underscores the importance of ancestry and tribal identity in the Israelite community, which was crucial for priestly roles and inheritance laws.
- **Foreshadowing:** The union of this couple sets the stage for the narrative of Moses, whose life will significantly impact the Israelite nation.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The event takes place during the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, which began when Joseph brought his family to Egypt during a famine. Over time, the Israelites grew in number and were eventually enslaved by the Egyptians.
- **The Tribe of Levi:** Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) and a patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites were later designated for priestly duties and temple service.
- **Egyptian Oppression:** At this time, the Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew male infants be thrown into the Nile River, fearing the growth of the Israelite population. This sets a dire backdrop for the birth of Moses, who would be saved from this edict.
- **The Future of Moses:** The parents mentioned in Exodus 2:1 are the biological parents of Moses, who would eventually be adopted by Pharaoh's daughter and raised in the Egyptian court. Moses' dual upbringing would play a significant role in his leadership of the Israelites and his ability to negotiate with Pharaoh.

In summary, Exodus 2:1 introduces the reader to the ancestry of Moses within the context of the oppressed Israelites in Egypt, highlighting themes of divine providence, tribal identity, and foreshadowing the pivotal role Moses will play in the deliverance of his people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3212
    There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָלַךְ
    Transliteration: yâlak
    Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
    Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
  2. Strong's Number: H376
    There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִישׁ
    Transliteration: ʼîysh
    Pronunciation: eesh
    Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
  3. Strong's Number: H1004
    There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בַּיִת
    Transliteration: bayith
    Pronunciation: bah'-yith
    Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
  4. Strong's Number: H3878
    There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לֵוִי
    Transliteration: Lêvîy
    Pronunciation: lay-vee'
    Description: from לָוָה; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob; Levi. See also לֵוִי, לֵוִיִּי.
  5. Strong's Number: H3947
    There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לָקַח
    Transliteration: lâqach
    Pronunciation: law-kakh'
    Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
  6. Strong's Number: H1323
    There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בַּת
    Transliteration: bath
    Pronunciation: bath
    Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.