Exodus 2:22

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

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}.

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."

And she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, โ€œI have become a foreigner in a foreign land.โ€

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

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 2:22 (KJV)

Exodus 2:22 marks a significant moment in the life of Moses, detailing the birth and naming of his first son during his exile in Midian. After fleeing Egypt, Moses finds refuge with Jethro (also known as Reuel), marries his daughter Zipporah, and begins a new phase of his life as a shepherd. The naming of his son, Gershom, encapsulates Moses' personal experience and profound sense of displacement.

Context

This verse follows Moses' dramatic flight from Egypt, where he had killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:11-12). Fearing Pharaoh's wrath, Moses fled to the land of Midian. There, he encountered Jethro's daughters at a well, defended them from other shepherds, and was subsequently welcomed into Jethro's household. His marriage to Zipporah and the birth of Gershom represent the establishment of a new, albeit temporary, home for Moses. This period in Midian was a time of preparation for Moses' ultimate calling, which would culminate in his encounter with God at the burning bush.

Key Themes

  • Exile and Sojourning: The central theme is Moses' feeling of being an outsider. Despite finding a new family and livelihood, he deeply feels his detachment from his homeland and his own people. This foreshadows the Israelites' own journey as sojourners in the wilderness.
  • Identity: Moses, raised as an Egyptian prince but by birth a Hebrew, now lives among Midianites. His naming of Gershom reflects his struggle with identity and belonging, highlighting his status as a "stranger" in a foreign land.
  • Divine Providence: Even in his exile, God was orchestrating Moses' life. This seemingly unproductive period of forty years in Midian was crucial for Moses to develop the character, humility, and reliance on God necessary for leading the Israelites.
  • Meaningful Naming: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, names often conveyed circumstances, character, or prophecy. Moses' choice of "Gershom" powerfully communicates his personal experience of alienation and longing.

Linguistic Insights

The name Gershom (Hebrew: ื’ึตึผืจึฐืฉึนืื, Ger-shom) is highly significant. It is typically understood as a combination of two Hebrew words:

  • Ger (ื’ึตึผืจ): Meaning "stranger," "sojourner," or "alien." This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe someone living outside their native land or community.
  • Sham (ืฉึธืื): Meaning "there."

Thus, "Gershom" literally means "a stranger there" or "a sojourner there," directly reflecting Moses' declaration: "I have been a stranger in a strange land." This name is a poignant reminder of Moses' personal sense of displacement and his longing for his true home and people.

Practical Application

Moses' experience in Exodus 2:22 offers several timeless lessons:

  • God's Preparation in Obscurity: Sometimes, God leads us through periods of isolation or unfamiliarity to prepare us for His greater purposes. Moses' forty years as a shepherd in Midian were not wasted; they were essential training for his leadership.
  • Understanding Our True Home: For believers today, this verse resonates with the biblical truth that we are often strangers and pilgrims in this world, with our ultimate citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20). This perspective can provide comfort and purpose even when we feel out of place.
  • Empathy for Outsiders: Moses' personal experience of being a "stranger" would later inform the laws he delivered to Israel, which frequently commanded kindness and justice towards the "stranger" or "sojourner" in their midst (Leviticus 19:34).

Exodus 2:22 beautifully illustrates that even in moments of personal exile and uncertainty, God is at work, shaping individuals for His divine plan, and using their experiences to forge character and purpose.

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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 11:13 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

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

  • Acts 7:29 (6 votes)

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

  • Exodus 22:21 (5 votes)

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

  • Psalms 119:19 (4 votes)

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

  • 1 Chronicles 16:20 (4 votes)

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

  • 1 Chronicles 29:15 (4 votes)

    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.