Exodus 2:10

KJV

And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the child {H3206} grew {H1431}, and she brought {H935} him unto Pharaoh's {H6547} daughter {H1323}, and he became her son {H1121}. And she called {H7121} his name {H8034} Moses {H4872}: and she said {H559}, Because I drew {H4871} him out of the water {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, when the child had grown some, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter; and she began to raise him as her son. She called him Moshe [pull out], explaining, "Because I pulled him out of the water."

Berean Standard Bible

When the child had grown older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and explained, “I drew him out of the water.”

American Standard Version

And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses, and said, Because I drew him out of the water.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 2:10 marks the culmination of Moses's miraculous preservation as he is formally adopted into Pharaoh's household and receives his iconic name. This pivotal verse not only concludes the dramatic account of his infancy, safeguarded from Pharaoh's genocidal decree, but also strategically positions him within the very seat of Egyptian power, setting the stage for his divinely appointed role as the deliverer of Israel through God's meticulous providence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the narrative climax of Moses's infancy account, immediately following the desperate measures taken by his parents to save him from Pharaoh's decree to kill all male Hebrew infants ([Exodus 1:22](/exodus/1-22 "Pharaoh's Decree to Kill Hebrew Male Infants")). The preceding verses detail his birth, his mother Jochebed's three-month concealment, and the ingenious plan to place him in an ark on the Nile River. His discovery by Pharaoh's daughter ([Exodus 2:5](/exodus/2-5 "Pharaoh's Daughter Discovers Moses")) and the clever intervention of his sister Miriam, which led to Jochebed being hired as his nurse ([Exodus 2:7-9](/exodus/2-7-9 "Miriam's Intervention and Jochebed as Nurse")), all build to this moment of formal adoption. Exodus 2:10 thus transitions Moses from a vulnerable infant to a prince within the Egyptian court, a critical shift before the narrative leaps to his adulthood and divine calling.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a highly stratified society, with the Pharaoh at its apex, considered a divine king. The adoption of a child, especially into the royal family, would have been a significant event, conferring immense privilege and status. While the text doesn't explicitly state the daughter's name, later tradition identifies her as Bithiah. The Nile River was central to Egyptian life, seen as a source of life and fertility, and also a place where divine power could manifest. Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew males was a desperate attempt to control the burgeoning Israelite population, reflecting a common ancient Near Eastern fear of foreign groups growing too powerful. Moses's upbringing in the royal palace would have granted him access to the highest levels of Egyptian education, administration, and military training, as later affirmed in [Acts 7:22](/acts/7-22 "Stephen's Account of Moses's Education and Power"). This unique cultural immersion would prove indispensable for his future role as Israel's leader.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 2:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. **Divine Providence** is paramount, illustrating God's sovereign hand in preserving His chosen instrument against overwhelming odds, even using the very agents of oppression to accomplish His will. The theme of **Deliverance** is subtly introduced through Moses's name, foreshadowing his future role in "drawing out" Israel from bondage. The verse also highlights the theme of **Identity and Calling**, as Moses, though raised as an Egyptian prince, retains a foundational connection to his Hebrew heritage through his mother's nursing, preparing him for a life of mediating between two worlds. This dual identity is crucial for understanding his unique position as the one chosen by God to lead His people out of slavery, a mission that begins with God's call at the burning bush in [Exodus 3](/exodus/3 "The Burning Bush and God's Call to Moses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **grew (Hebrew, _gâdal'_):** (H1431) This primitive root signifies "to be (causatively make) large" in various senses, including physical growth, mental development, increase in estate, or honor. Here, it denotes Moses's physical maturation from infancy to an age where he no longer required a wet nurse, indicating a natural progression of life under divine care.
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** (H1121) Derived from a root meaning "to build," this word refers to a son as a "builder of the family name." In this context, it signifies Moses's formal adoption and integration into Pharaoh's daughter's household, granting him the legal status, privileges, and identity of a royal son, despite his Hebrew birth.
* **Moses (Hebrew, _Môsheh'_):** (H4872) This proper noun is derived from the Hebrew verb `mâshâh` (H4871), meaning "to pull out." Pharaoh's daughter explicitly links the name to the act of "drawing out" from the water. The name itself, *Môsheh*, grammatically functions as an active participle, meaning "one who draws out." This linguistic nuance, juxtaposed with the passive explanation ("because I drew him out"), is profoundly significant, foreshadowing Moses's future role as the one who would actively "draw out" the Israelites from Egypt.
* **drew (Hebrew, _mâshâh'_):** (H4871) A primitive root meaning "to pull out" literally or figuratively. This verb is the direct etymological root for Moses's name and is crucial for understanding the name's significance. Pharaoh's daughter uses it to explain her action of retrieving the child from the Nile, highlighting his rescue.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter,"**: This clause marks the transition from Moses's infancy to his formal entry into the royal household. "The child grew" indicates a period of natural development, during which he was nursed by his biological mother, Jochebed, as arranged by Miriam. Once weaned, Jochebed faithfully fulfilled her part of the agreement, bringing the child to Pharaoh's daughter. This act formalizes the adoption, moving Moses from the hidden Hebrew world to the visible Egyptian court.
* **"and he became her son."**: This phrase emphasizes the legal and relational transformation. Moses was no longer merely a foundling but was officially recognized as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. This adoption conferred upon him royal status, protection, and access to the privileges and education of the Egyptian elite, positioning him uniquely for his future divine mission.
* **"And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water."**: This is the climactic moment of the verse, explaining the origin and meaning of Moses's name. Pharaoh's daughter, the one who rescued him, gives him a name directly linked to his miraculous preservation. The Hebrew verb for "drew him out" (*mâshâh*) directly connects to the name *Môsheh*. This naming act is not merely descriptive but profoundly prophetic, encapsulating both his past rescue and his future role as the one who would "draw out" his people from bondage.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "water" representing both the immediate threat to Moses's life (the Nile as a place of death for Hebrew infants) and the means of his salvation (the Nile as the place where he was found and drawn out). This duality foreshadows the later significance of water in the Exodus narrative, particularly the parting of the Red Sea, where water again becomes both a threat to the Egyptians and a path to salvation for Israel. There is also profound **Irony** in the fact that the very daughter of the Pharaoh who decreed the death of Hebrew male infants becomes the instrument of salvation for the future deliverer of those same people. This highlights God's ability to subvert human plans and use unlikely agents for His purposes. Furthermore, the **Etymological Play** on Moses's name, *Môsheh* (meaning "one who draws out") and its connection to *mâshâh* (meaning "to draw out" in the passive sense, "he was drawn out"), serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**. It subtly hints at Moses's dual destiny: first, he was passively saved, and later, he would actively lead his people to freedom, drawing them out of Egypt.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 2:10 is a powerful testament to God's meticulous **Providence** and **Sovereignty**. Despite Pharaoh's decree to eradicate Hebrew male infants, God orchestrates circumstances—a mother's faith, a sister's courage, and the compassion of Pharaoh's daughter—to preserve the one He has chosen to deliver His people. This demonstrates that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human decrees or evil intentions; He works through, and often in spite of, human actions to achieve His redemptive purposes. The verse also underscores the theme of **Divine Preparation**, showing how God uniquely equips individuals for their specific callings, even using their seemingly adverse or unlikely circumstances (like being raised in the enemy's palace) as part of their training. Moses's name itself becomes a theological statement, encapsulating his identity and destiny as both "one drawn out" and "one who draws out," a pattern of salvation and deliverance that echoes throughout biblical history.

* [Psalm 105:25](/psalms/105-25 "God Turns Hearts Against His People")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")
* [Isaiah 49:1](/isaiah/49-1 "God Calls His Servant from the Womb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 2:10 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's sovereign hand is at work even in the most challenging and seemingly chaotic circumstances of our lives. Moses's story encourages us to trust in divine providence, recognizing that God can use unexpected people and unlikely situations to accomplish His purposes. His miraculous preservation and strategic placement in Pharaoh's palace teach us that God often prepares us for our calling in ways we might not anticipate, equipping us with unique skills and experiences through our life's journey, even those that seem contrary to our ultimate destiny. This verse challenges us to embrace our true identity in Christ, understanding that our worth and purpose are not defined by worldly status or circumstances, but by God's calling on our lives. Just as Moses was "drawn out" for a purpose, so too are we, as believers, drawn out of darkness into God's marvelous light to live for His glory and participate in His redemptive work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses's story of being "drawn out" from danger resonate with instances of God's protection or intervention in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be preparing you for a future purpose through your current circumstances, even those that seem difficult or unrelated?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty in Moses's life strengthen your trust in His plan for your own life, especially when faced with uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**Why is Moses's name so significant to his life's purpose?**

Answer: Moses's name, *Mosheh* (מֹשֶׁה), is profoundly significant because it encapsulates both his miraculous preservation and his divinely appointed mission. Pharaoh's daughter explains the name as "Because I drew him out of the water," linking it to the Hebrew verb *mashah* (מָשָׁה), meaning "to draw out." While her explanation highlights his passive rescue ("he was drawn out"), the grammatical form of *Mosheh* itself is an active participle, meaning "one who draws out." This dual meaning is a powerful foreshadowing: Moses was first passively "drawn out" of the water to be saved, and later, he would actively "draw out" the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt, fulfilling his calling as their deliverer.

**How does Moses's upbringing in Pharaoh's palace demonstrate God's providence?**

Answer: Moses's upbringing in Pharaoh's palace is a remarkable demonstration of God's providence because it shows God's ability to use the very instruments of oppression to advance His redemptive plan. Instead of being killed by Pharaoh's decree, Moses was raised within the highest echelons of Egyptian society. This unique environment provided him with the best education, making him "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds" ([Acts 7:22](/acts/7-22 "Stephen's Account of Moses's Education")). This preparation—including knowledge of Egyptian customs, law, and military strategy—was essential for him to effectively confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of slavery. God strategically placed him in this unlikely setting, equipping him with the necessary skills and understanding for his monumental task, showcasing His intricate and unthwartable plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses, the one "drawn out" of the water to become a deliverer, stands as a profound **type of Christ**, the ultimate Deliverer. Just as Moses was miraculously preserved from Pharaoh's genocidal decree against male infants, so too was Jesus protected from Herod's similar murderous intent, as recounted in [Matthew 2:13-18](/matthew/2-13-18 "The Flight to Egypt and Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents"). Moses was "drawn out" from the waters of chaos and death, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate victory over the powers of sin and death, through which He "draws out" humanity from spiritual bondage into new life and freedom. While Moses led Israel through the Red Sea, a symbolic act of salvation and new beginning, Christ, through His death, resurrection, and the sacrament of baptism, leads His people into a new covenant, delivering them from the dominion of sin and death into eternal life ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Baptism into Christ's Death and Resurrection")). Both were uniquely prepared by God for their redemptive missions: Moses through his unlikely royal upbringing and Christ through His perfect divine nature and incarnate humanity, fully equipped to mediate between God and humanity and to bring about the ultimate exodus from spiritual slavery ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:24

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

Genesis 16:11

And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou [art] with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

1 Samuel 1:20

Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, [saying], Because I have asked him of the LORD.

Acts 7:21

And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

Acts 7:22

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

1 John 3:1

¶ Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.