Exodus 2:22

KJV

And she bare [him] a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she bare {H3205} him a son {H1121}, and he called {H7121} his name {H8034} Gershom {H1647}: for he said {H559}, I have been a stranger {H1616} in a strange {H5237} land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom [foreigner there], for he said, "I have been a foreigner in a foreign land."

Berean Standard Bible

And she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.”

American Standard Version

And she bare a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 2:22 marks a significant moment in Moses' life during his exile in Midian, detailing the birth of his first son, Gershom. Moses' choice of name for his son is deeply personal and revelatory, encapsulating his profound sense of displacement and alienation from his Hebrew heritage and homeland, thereby expressing his identity as a sojourner in a foreign land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Moses' dramatic flight from Egypt, a consequence of his intervention on behalf of a Hebrew slave, which resulted in the killing of an Egyptian taskmaster ([Exodus 2:11-14](/exodus/2-11-14 "Moses' Defense and Flight")). Having fled Pharaoh's wrath, Moses arrives in Midian, where he encounters Jethro's daughters at a well and defends them from shepherds ([Exodus 2:16-17](/exodus/2-16-17 "Moses Defends Jethro's Daughters")). His subsequent welcome into Jethro's household and marriage to Zipporah ([Exodus 2:21](/exodus/2-21 "Moses Marries Zipporah")) set the stage for the birth of Gershom. This period in Midian, spanning forty years, represents a crucial interlude of preparation and personal transformation for Moses before his divine encounter at the burning bush in [Exodus 3](/exodus/3 "The Burning Bush").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses' flight to Midian placed him in a semi-nomadic region east of the Gulf of Aqaba, inhabited by various tribes, including the Kenites, to whom Jethro belonged. Midianites were often depicted as traders and shepherds, and their culture, while distinct from Egyptian and Canaanite societies, shared common Semitic roots. The act of naming a child in ancient Near Eastern cultures was highly significant, often reflecting the circumstances of birth, the parents' experiences, hopes, or even prophecies for the child's future. Moses' naming of Gershom thus carries profound cultural weight, serving as a public declaration of his internal state and the reality of his exile.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 2:22 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **exile and sojourning**, not only for Moses personally but also foreshadowing the Israelites' future forty-year wanderings in the wilderness as sojourners before entering the Promised Land ([Deuteronomy 8:2-5](/deuteronomy/8-2-5 "God's Discipline in the Wilderness")). The verse also underscores **divine providence**, demonstrating how God uses seemingly obscure periods of hardship and displacement to prepare His chosen instruments for their future roles, as seen in Moses' transformation from an Egyptian prince to a humble shepherd. Furthermore, it reinforces the biblical emphasis on **meaningful naming**, where names are not mere labels but convey deep theological or personal significance, connecting individual identity to God's unfolding plan, much like the naming of [Isaac](/genesis/21-3 "The Birth of Isaac") or [Jacob](/genesis/25-26 "The Birth of Jacob").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 2:22 states, "And she bare [him] a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land." This verse, though concise, is profoundly revealing of Moses' internal state and the circumstances of his life during his Midianite exile. It captures a moment of domesticity that is nonetheless permeated by a deep sense of alienation and longing for his true home.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gershom (Hebrew, _Gêrᵉshôm'_):** H1647. The name of Moses' firstborn son. As explained by Moses himself, the name is a compound reflecting his experience. It combines "gêr" (stranger/sojourner) and "sham" (there), literally meaning "a stranger there." This name serves as a perpetual reminder of Moses' displacement and his identity as an outsider.
* **stranger (Hebrew, _gêr'_):** H1616. Properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner; alien, sojourner. This word denotes someone residing in a foreign land without full native rights, often dependent on the hospitality of others. Moses' use of this term for himself underscores his profound sense of not belonging, despite finding refuge and family in Midian.
* **strange (Hebrew, _nokrîy'_):** H5237. From a root meaning "to be foreign"; strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful). In this context, it emphasizes the foreignness of the land itself, reinforcing Moses' feeling of being an alien in an unfamiliar environment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she bare [him] a son,"**: This phrase simply records the birth of Moses' first child with Zipporah. The act of bearing a son was highly valued in ancient Israelite culture, ensuring the continuation of the family line and heritage.
* **"and he called his name Gershom:"**: This highlights Moses' agency in naming his son, an act that traditionally carried significant meaning. The name chosen by the father often reflected the circumstances of the birth or the father's emotional state or hopes.
* **"for he said,"**: This introduces Moses' direct explanation for the name choice, providing the theological and personal rationale behind "Gershom." It emphasizes the deliberateness and personal significance of the naming.
* **"I have been a stranger in a strange land."**: This powerful declaration is the heart of the verse. It reveals Moses' deep-seated feeling of alienation and displacement. Despite his new family and apparent security, he perceives himself as an outsider, far from his true home and people. This statement encapsulates his identity crisis and longing.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 2:22 is **Symbolism**, specifically through **Onomastics** (the study of names and their origins). Moses' naming of his son Gershom is not arbitrary; it is a symbolic act that encapsulates his personal experience and internal state. The name "Gershom" itself is a **Pun** or **Wordplay**, directly derived from the Hebrew words for "stranger" (*ger*) and "there" (*sham*), making the name a living testament to Moses' declaration, "I have been a stranger in a strange land." This creates a powerful **Irony** in Moses' situation: though he is safe, married, and a father, his chosen name for his son reveals a profound sense of homelessness and disconnection from his birthright and people. The naming acts as a **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the future journey of the Israelites as sojourners in the wilderness, mirroring Moses' own temporary exile.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Moses' personal experience of being "a stranger in a strange land" is a profound theological motif that resonates throughout biblical history. It not only reflects his immediate circumstances but also foreshadows the broader narrative of God's people. The Israelites would soon become sojourners themselves, first in the wilderness, then later through various exiles. This theme extends to the New Testament, where believers are often described as spiritual pilgrims, living in the world but not fully belonging to it, awaiting their true, eternal home. This perspective fosters a sense of detachment from worldly attachments and a longing for the heavenly kingdom.

* [Genesis 23:4](/genesis/23-4 "Abraham as a Sojourner")
* [Psalm 39:12](/psalms/39-12 "The Psalmist as a Sojourner")
* [Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "Faithful Sojourners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Moses' naming of Gershom in Exodus 2:22 offers a deeply relatable perspective for believers navigating their identity and purpose in a world often at odds with their spiritual convictions. Like Moses, who felt like a stranger despite finding a new family, Christians are called to live as "strangers and exiles" on earth ([1_peter/2-11](/1-peter/2-11 "Believers as Sojourners and Exiles")), understanding that our true citizenship and ultimate home are in heaven ([philippians/3-20](/philippians/3-20 "Heavenly Citizenship")). This perspective cultivates a healthy detachment from worldly pursuits and a longing for the eternal. Furthermore, Moses' personal experience of alienation did not lead to bitterness but profoundly shaped his empathy, later informing the Mosaic Law's repeated commands to show kindness and justice to the sojourner and alien among them ([leviticus/19-34](/leviticus/19-34 "Love the Sojourner as Yourself")). This challenges us to extend radical hospitality and compassion to those marginalized, displaced, or simply different in our own communities, recognizing that God often uses our seasons of feeling "out of place" to forge deeper character, empathy, and reliance on Him, preparing us for His greater purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do you identify with Moses' feeling of being "a stranger in a strange land" in your own life or faith journey?**
* **How does the New Testament concept of believers as "strangers and pilgrims" influence your perspective on worldly possessions, ambitions, and relationships?**
* **How can your own experiences of feeling like an outsider or alienated cultivate greater empathy and compassion for others who are marginalized in society?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses name his son Gershom?**

Answer: Moses named his son Gershom because the name directly reflects his personal experience and profound sense of displacement. He states, "I have been a stranger in a strange land," and the name Gershom (Hebrew: *Ger-shom*) literally means "a stranger there" or "a sojourner in that place." It encapsulated his feeling of being an alien, far from his Hebrew people and homeland, and served as a constant reminder of his exile.

**What is the significance of Moses' time in Midian before his calling?**

Answer: Moses' forty years in Midian, though seemingly a period of exile and obscurity, was a crucial time of divine preparation. During this period, God stripped away Moses' Egyptian princely identity and pride, teaching him humility, patience, and the skills of a shepherd, which would be essential for leading the vast Israelite nation through the wilderness. It was a time for him to mature spiritually and personally before encountering God at the burning bush and receiving his monumental calling to deliver Israel from bondage ([Exodus 3:1-10](/exodus/3-1-10 "The Burning Bush and Moses' Calling")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses' experience as a "stranger in a strange land" in Exodus 2:22 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. While Moses was a stranger by necessity of exile and personal displacement, Christ willingly became a sojourner, leaving the infinite glory and comfort of heaven to dwell among humanity, a people who often did not recognize or receive Him ([John 1:10-11](/john/1-10-11 "The Word in the World")). He declared that "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Jesus Has No Home")), embodying the ultimate sojourner who, though the Creator and Sustainer of all, lived a life of humble itinerancy without a permanent earthly dwelling. Furthermore, Christ's mission was to reconcile alienated humanity to God, transforming us from "strangers and aliens" into fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "No Longer Strangers but Fellow Citizens")). Thus, Moses' personal displacement points forward to the divine humility of Christ, who became a stranger for our sake, ultimately leading us, the once-alienated, to our true, eternal home and belonging in God's presence.

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 11:13

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hebrews 11:14

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Acts 7:29

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

Exodus 22:21

Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Psalms 119:19

¶ I [am] a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

1 Chronicles 16:20

And [when] they went from nation to nation, and from [one] kingdom to another people;

1 Chronicles 29:15

For we [are] strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.