Exodus 2:13

KJV

And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

KJV (with Strong's)

And when he went out {H3318} the second {H8145} day {H3117}, behold, two {H8147} men {H582} of the Hebrews {H5680} strove {H5327} together: and he said {H559} to him that did the wrong {H7563}, Wherefore smitest {H5221} thou thy fellow {H7453}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The next day, he went out and saw two Hebrew men fighting with each other. To the one in the wrong he said, "Why are you hitting your companion?"

Berean Standard Bible

The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your companion?”

American Standard Version

And he went out the second day, and, behold, two men of the Hebrews were striving together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 2:13 details Moses' second day intervening among his Hebrew kinsmen, where he confronts two men striving, directly challenging the aggressor's unjust violence against his fellow. This incident underscores Moses' nascent sense of justice and his growing identification with his people, even as it reveals internal strife within the oppressed community.

### CONTEXT
Following his decisive act of [striking down an Egyptian taskmaster](/exodus/2-12 "Moses' defense of a Hebrew slave in Exodus 2:12") the previous day, Moses again ventures out to observe his people. Despite his upbringing in Pharaoh's palace, his deep connection to his Hebrew heritage is evident ([Exodus 2:11](/exodus/2-2 "Moses' identification with his brethren in Exodus 2:11")). This verse pivots from external oppression to internal conflict, presenting Moses with a new challenge: discord and violence among the very people he seeks to deliver, prompting his direct intervention and questioning of the wrongdoer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
"And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together": This phrase immediately highlights the shift from Moses' confrontation with an external oppressor to an internal conflict. The "striving" (Hebrew: *natzah*, נָצָה) implies a violent quarrel, a physical altercation, not merely a verbal dispute. Moses' observation reveals that the Hebrews, despite their shared plight under Egyptian bondage, were not a perfectly unified people.

"and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?": Moses' direct question is a bold and authoritative intervention. The verb "smitest" (Hebrew: *nakah*, נָכָה) is significant, being the same word used to describe Moses' action against the Egyptian in [Exodus 2:12](/exodus/2-12 "Moses strikes the Egyptian"). This parallel emphasizes the severity of the act, regardless of the perpetrator's identity. Moses challenges the aggressor's right to inflict harm on "thy fellow," highlighting the bond of kinship and shared suffering that should preclude such violence. This incident marks Moses' early demonstration of his emerging role as a mediator and judge, a function he would later formally assume for the Israelites ([Exodus 18:13](/exodus/18-13 "Moses judging the people in Exodus 18:13")). The aggressor's immediate retort in the subsequent verse ("Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?") underscores the contentious nature of the internal strife and the resistance Moses faced, even from his own people, in his attempts to establish justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence in Leadership Development:** Moses' actions, though seemingly impulsive, reveal a divinely orchestrated development of his character and leadership skills, preparing him for his future role as deliverer, lawgiver, and judge for Israel.
* **The Pervasiveness of Sin:** The verse illustrates that sin and injustice are not solely external forces but can also manifest within a community, even among those who are oppressed. It highlights the pervasive nature of human fallenness and the need for divine intervention.
* **Internal Strife as an Obstacle to Liberation:** The disunity among the Hebrews foreshadows the challenges Moses would face in leading a fractious people. Internal conflict can be as detrimental to a community's well-being and progress as external oppression.
* **Accountability and Brotherhood:** Moses' question establishes the principle of accountability for one's actions, particularly within a community bound by shared identity and suffering. It underscores the responsibility to protect and uplift one's "fellow."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 2:13 calls believers to actively address injustice, not only when it comes from external sources but especially within our own communities, families, and churches. Like Moses, we are challenged to possess moral courage, speaking truth to power and confronting wrongdoing, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. This passage reminds us of the vital importance of unity and peace among God's people, recognizing that internal strife can severely hinder our collective witness and mission, urging us to pursue reconciliation and uphold the dignity of every "fellow" in Christ.

### FAQ
**Why did Moses intervene in this specific conflict?**

Answer: Moses intervened because he was developing a deep sense of justice and identification with his Hebrew people. Having witnessed and acted against external oppression the day before, he now confronted internal violence, demonstrating his burgeoning role as a mediator and judge who sought to establish righteousness within his community, even among his own kinsmen.

**What does "Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?" reveal about Moses?**

Answer: This direct question reveals Moses' moral courage, his nascent leadership qualities, and his commitment to justice. It shows he was not afraid to confront wrongdoing directly, even when it involved his own people. It also highlights his understanding of the bond of kinship ("thy fellow") and the impropriety of violence within that bond.

**Does this incident suggest disunity among the Hebrews?**

Answer: Yes, the incident clearly suggests a degree of disunity and internal strife among the Hebrews, despite their shared oppression. Their bickering and violence indicate that even under hardship, human sin and conflict persisted, foreshadowing the challenges Moses would face in leading a people often prone to complaining and rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses' intervention as a mediator and judge in Exodus 2:13, though met with rejection, foreshadows the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. Just as Moses sought to bring justice and reconciliation among his brethren, Christ came to reconcile humanity to God and to one another, not merely by judging but by atoning for sin. While Moses' authority was questioned and his attempts at deliverance were initially rejected by his own people, Christ, the greater Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Prophecy of a Prophet like Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15")), came as the rejected Messiah who would nevertheless establish perfect justice and bring ultimate peace through His sacrifice. He is the one who truly heals the internal divisions of humanity, uniting all who believe into one body, the Church, where there is no longer "Jew nor Gentile" but all are "**fellow**" heirs in Christ ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Unity in Christ in Galatians 3:28")).

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.