Exodus 2:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that [there was] no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He looked this way and that; and when he saw that no one was around, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

Berean Standard Bible:

After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

American Standard Version:

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he looked^{H6437} this way^{H3541} and that way^{H3541}, and when he saw^{H7200} that there was no man^{H376}, he slew^{H5221} the Egyptian^{H4713}, and hid^{H2934} him in the sand^{H2344}.

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Commentary for Exodus 2:12

Exodus 2:12 recounts a pivotal moment in the life of Moses, a Hebrew raised in the Egyptian pharaoh's court. The verse captures the young Moses as he witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsmen. Filled with a sense of justice and anger at the oppression of his people, Moses intervenes. Before acting, he looks around to ensure that no one is watching, highlighting his awareness of the gravity of his intended action within the context of the societal hierarchy and the potential consequences. Seeing that the coast is clear, Moses kills the Egyptian and conceals the body in the sand, a desperate attempt to protect his fellow Hebrew and perhaps to rebel against the system of oppression.

This verse touches on several themes: the struggle against injustice, the tension between Moses' dual identity as both an Israelite and an Egyptian prince, and the beginnings of Moses' role as a liberator for his people, albeit in a premature and violent manner. Historically, this event occurs during a time when the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt, and their cries for deliverance had not yet been answered. Moses' action precipitates his flight from Egypt and sets the stage for his eventual return to lead the Israelites out of bondage, as narrated in the subsequent chapters of Exodus. The verse also foreshadows the complex relationship between Moses and the Pharaoh, as well as the broader conflict between the Israelites and the Egyptian empire.

*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: H6437
   There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנָה
   Transliteration: pânâh
   Pronunciation: paw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early).
   
2. Strong's Number: H3541
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּה
   Transliteration: kôh
   Pronunciation: ko
   Description: from the prefix k and הוּא; properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now; also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5221
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָכָה
   Transliteration: nâkâh
   Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4713
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְרִי
   Transliteration: Mitsrîy
   Pronunciation: mits-ree'
   Description: from מִצְרַיִם; a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim; Egyptian, of Egypt.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2934
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טָמַן
   Transliteration: ṭâman
   Pronunciation: taw-man'
   Description: a primitive root; to hide (by covering over); hide, lay privily, in secret.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2344
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חוֹל
   Transliteration: chôwl
   Pronunciation: khole
   Description: from חוּל; sand (as round or whirling particles); sand.