Exodus 2:15

KJV

Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now when Pharaoh {H6547} heard {H8085} this thing {H1697}, he sought {H1245} to slay {H2026} Moses {H4872}. But Moses {H4872} fled {H1272} from the face {H6440} of Pharaoh {H6547}, and dwelt {H3427} in the land {H776} of Midian {H4080}: and he sat down {H3427} by a well {H875}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Pharaoh heard of it, he tried to have Moshe put to death. But Moshe fled from Pharaoh to live in the land of Midyan. One day, as he was sitting by a well,

Berean Standard Bible

When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well.

American Standard Version

Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 2:15 marks a critical juncture in the life of Moses, narrating Pharaoh's discovery of Moses' act of killing an Egyptian taskmaster, which triggers a royal decree for Moses' execution. This immediate and grave threat compels Moses to flee Egypt, seeking refuge in the distant land of Midian, where he settles by a well, signifying his dramatic transition from an esteemed prince in the world's most powerful empire to a solitary fugitive in the wilderness, wholly dependent on divine providence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Moses' two significant encounters in [Exodus 2:11-14](/exodus/2-11-14 "Moses' encounters and flight"). First, he intervenes on behalf of a Hebrew slave, killing an Egyptian taskmaster. Second, he attempts to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews, only to have his previous act exposed by one of them. The exposure of his crime, particularly by a fellow Israelite whom he sought to help, underscores the isolation and danger Moses now faces. His flight is not a strategic retreat but a desperate escape from a very real and imminent threat to his life, setting the stage for his forty-year sojourn in the wilderness, a period of divine preparation before his ultimate calling.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the killing of a royal official, especially by someone raised within the royal court, would be considered an act of treason, punishable by death. Pharaoh, as the absolute ruler and perceived divine embodiment, would view such an act as a direct challenge to his authority and the stability of his kingdom. The "face of Pharaoh" (H6440, *pânîym*) signifies not just his physical presence but the full weight of his royal power, his wrath, and his legal authority. Fleeing to Midian, a nomadic region east of the Gulf of Aqaba, was a common strategy for those seeking asylum from Egyptian rule, as it lay beyond Pharaoh's direct jurisdiction, offering a safe haven in its vast, arid expanse.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 2:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God sovereignly orchestrates events, even human failures and flights, to fulfill His ultimate purposes, preparing Moses for his future role as Israel's deliverer. It also underscores the theme of **Preparation in Obscurity**, as Moses' exile from the palace to the wilderness of Midian serves as a crucial period of spiritual and practical formation, stripping him of his Egyptian identity and preparing him for the arduous task of leading a nomadic people. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God's Deliverance through Unlikely Means**, as the future deliverer of Israel begins his journey not from a position of strength, but from one of vulnerability and flight, foreshadowing God's pattern of using the weak and unassuming to accomplish His mighty works, a pattern seen throughout the biblical narrative, from Abraham to David to the [apostles in the New Testament](/acts/4-13 "The boldness of Peter and John").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Hebrew, _bâqash'_ H1245):** This verb denotes an active, determined, and often intense pursuit or search. Pharaoh's "seeking to slay Moses" implies not a casual desire but a deliberate and official effort to apprehend and execute him. It conveys the full weight of royal authority and the severity of the threat Moses faced, making his flight an absolute necessity.
* **fled (Hebrew, _bârach'_ H1272):** This word describes a sudden, urgent, and often desperate escape. Moses' flight was not a leisurely departure but a rapid, life-saving act, emphasizing the immediate danger and the swiftness with which he had to abandon his former life and privileges. It highlights his vulnerability and the complete reversal of his circumstances.
* **dwelt / sat down (Hebrew, _yâshab'_ H3427):** This versatile verb can mean "to sit," "to dwell," "to remain," or "to settle." In the context of Moses' arrival in Midian, it first signifies his act of sitting down by the well, likely out of exhaustion and need for refreshment after his flight. Subsequently, it implies his prolonged "dwelling" or "settling" in Midian for the next forty years, indicating a period of stability and integration into a new life, albeit one far removed from his princely past.
* **well (Hebrew, _bᵉʼêr'_ H875):** A "well" in the arid ancient Near East was a vital source of life, a gathering place, and often a site of significant encounters. For Moses, sitting by a well after his arduous flight symbolizes not only his physical need for water and rest but also a point of transition and potential new beginnings. It is at this well that he soon encounters the daughters of Reuel (Jethro), leading to his marriage and new life in Midian.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when Pharaoh heard this thing,"**: This clause establishes the immediate cause of Moses' flight—the revelation of his act of killing the Egyptian taskmaster. Pharaoh's "hearing" implies not just passive reception of information but official intelligence reaching the highest authority, demanding a response. The "thing" (H1697, *dâbâr*) refers to the specific incident of the murder, which was considered a capital offense and an act of rebellion against the crown.
* **"he sought to slay Moses."**: This phrase reveals Pharaoh's immediate and severe reaction. His "seeking to slay" (H1245, *bâqash* to seek; H2026, *hârag* to slay) indicates a deliberate and determined pursuit, underscoring the mortal danger Moses was in. It highlights the absolute power of the monarch and the gravity of Moses' perceived crime.
* **"But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh,"**: This marks Moses' desperate and urgent response to the threat. "Fled" (H1272, *bârach*) emphasizes the haste and necessity of his escape. Fleeing "from the face of Pharaoh" (H6440, *pânîym*) signifies escaping the direct presence, authority, and wrath of the king, symbolizing a complete severance from his former life and position within the Egyptian court.
* **"and dwelt in the land of Midian:"**: This specifies Moses' destination and initial period of refuge. Midian (H4080, *Midyân*) was a region beyond Egyptian control, offering safety to fugitives. His "dwelling" (H3427, *yâshab*) there indicates a prolonged stay, marking the beginning of his forty-year exile and period of preparation away from the influences of Egypt.
* **"and he sat down by a well."**: This final clause depicts Moses' state upon arrival in Midian. Sitting "by a well" (H875, *bᵉʼêr*) suggests exhaustion and vulnerability after his flight, but also a place of vital sustenance and potential encounter in the arid wilderness. It sets the scene for his pivotal meeting with Jethro's daughters and his subsequent integration into Midianite life.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 2:15 effectively employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Moses, raised in Pharaoh's palace and destined to be a prince, finds himself a fugitive from that very power. The one who was "drawn out" (Moses' name, H4872, *Môsheh*) of the water is now forced to flee into the wilderness, dependent on a well for survival. There is also significant **Foreshadowing** in Moses' flight from a tyrannical ruler who seeks to kill the deliverer; this motif will recur in the New Testament with Christ's flight from Herod. The verse uses **Contrast** to highlight Moses' dramatic shift in status and environment: from the opulence of Pharaoh's court to the desolation of the Midianite wilderness, from a position of power to one of vulnerability. The **Symbolism** of the "well" is also noteworthy, representing not only physical sustenance in a barren land but also a place of encounter, new beginnings, and the provision of life in unexpected circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in Moses' life profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over seemingly chaotic human events. Even Moses' impulsive act and subsequent flight, which appear to be setbacks, are divinely orchestrated to remove him from the corrupting influences of Egypt and initiate a crucial period of spiritual formation. God uses this time of obscurity and hardship in the wilderness to strip Moses of his self-reliance and prepare him, through humility and dependence, for the monumental task of leading Israel. It demonstrates that God's plans are not thwarted by human weakness or opposition, but rather, He masterfully weaves all circumstances—even flight and exile—into the fabric of His redemptive purposes, proving that His timing and methods often differ from human expectations, yet always lead to His intended glorious outcome.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good"): "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
* [Psalm 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23-24 "The Lord Directs the Steps of the Righteous"): "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
* [Galatians 1:15-17](/galatians/1-15-17 "Paul's Call and Time in Arabia"): "But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 2:15 offers profound lessons for our own spiritual journeys. We often face unexpected detours, forced changes, or the consequences of our own impulsive actions. Like Moses, we may find ourselves in seasons of obscurity, exile, or what feels like a wilderness, far removed from our perceived purpose or former glory. This verse encourages us to recognize that even in these moments of flight or perceived failure, God is not absent. Rather, He is actively at work, using these very circumstances to shape our character, cultivate humility, and teach us absolute dependence on Him. It reminds us that our "wilderness" experiences are often God's training grounds, essential for preparing us for future callings and for deepening our faith. We are called to trust His sovereign hand, even when the path is unclear, knowing that He can redeem and repurpose every experience for His ultimate glory and our good, transforming our setbacks into stepping stones for His divine plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How have unexpected "flights" or detours in your life ultimately served as periods of divine preparation?**
* **In what ways might God be using a current season of obscurity or difficulty to teach you dependence on Him?**
* **What impulsive actions have you taken that, while perhaps well-intentioned, led to unforeseen consequences, and how did God redeem those situations?**
* **How does Moses' journey from prince to fugitive encourage you to trust God's plan even when it deviates from your own expectations?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses flee rather than confront Pharaoh immediately?**

Answer: Moses' flight was a direct and necessary response to Pharaoh's intent to kill him, indicating a very real and immediate threat to his life. At this point in his life, Moses was acting on his own strength and timing, not under divine commission. His impulsive act of killing the Egyptian revealed that he was not yet spiritually or practically prepared or empowered by God for the monumental task of confronting Pharaoh and leading Israel. His forty years in Midian were essential for his spiritual formation, learning humility, patience, and the ways of the desert, before he could fulfill his divine calling to lead God's people out of bondage, as detailed later in [Exodus 3](/exodus/3 "The Burning Bush and Moses' Call").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses' flight from Pharaoh, a king who sought to destroy the deliverer, profoundly foreshadows Christ's own flight to Egypt as an infant to escape Herod's murderous decree, as recorded in [Matthew 2:13-15](/matthew/2-13-15 "The Flight into Egypt"). Both narratives highlight the vulnerability of God's chosen deliverers in the face of tyrannical earthly power, yet also underscore God's providential protection over His anointed ones. Furthermore, Moses' forty-year period of obscurity and preparation in Midian, where he learned humility and dependence on God away from the world's spotlight, parallels Christ's own thirty years of quiet preparation in Nazareth before His public ministry began. Ultimately, Moses, as the one who fled to save his life and eventually delivered his people from physical bondage, prefigures Christ, who, though innocent and divine, "fled" from the glory of heaven to earth. Jesus willingly laid down His life, not to save His own, but to deliver His people from the ultimate bondage of sin and death, fulfilling the greater exodus from spiritual slavery, as depicted in passages like [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ's Incarnation to Deliver"). He is the true and greater Moses, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, leading His people to true freedom.

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

Acts 7:29

Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

Hebrews 11:27

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Genesis 24:11

And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, [even] the time that women go out to draw [water].

Genesis 29:2

And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there [were] three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone [was] upon the well's mouth.

John 4:6

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with [his] journey, sat thus on the well: [and] it was about the sixth hour.

Proverbs 22:3

¶ A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

1 Kings 19:1

¶ And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.