Exodus 2:4

KJV

And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And his sister {H269} stood {H3320} afar off {H7350}, to wit {H3045} what would be done {H6213} to him.

Complete Jewish Bible

His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Berean Standard Bible

And his sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

American Standard Version

And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Exodus 2:4](/exodus/2-4 "Miriam's Vigilance") captures a moment of quiet, courageous vigilance as Moses's unnamed older sister positions herself at a distance to observe the fate of her infant brother, who has been placed in an ark on the Nile River. This seemingly small act of watchful loyalty is pivotal, demonstrating human faithfulness intertwined with divine providence in the preservation of Israel's future deliverer amidst Pharaoh's genocidal decree.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within a period of severe oppression for the Israelites in Egypt, where Pharaoh, threatened by their growing numbers, had commanded the [slaughter of all Hebrew male infants](/exodus/1-22 "Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants"). Moses's mother, Jochebed, defied this decree by [hiding him for three months](/exodus/2-2 "Jochebed hides Moses"). When concealment was no longer possible, she ingeniously placed him in a bitumen-sealed basket among the Nile reeds. It is at this critical juncture that his sister, later identified as [Miriam](/numbers/26-59 "Miriam identified as Moses's sister"), takes her strategic position, poised to witness and potentially influence the unfolding events.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Exodus 2:4](/exodus/2-4 "Moses's sister stands afar off") succinctly describes the active role of Moses's sister. The phrase "stood afar off" (Hebrew: *wayyitṣṣaḇ mērrāḥōq*) conveys a deliberate and watchful posture, maintaining a necessary distance for observation without drawing undue attention to herself or the ark. Her purpose was "to wit what would be done to him," an archaic King James Version expression meaning "to know," "to ascertain," or "to find out." The underlying Hebrew verb, *yada* (יָדַע), signifies not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep, experiential knowing or active observation, indicating Miriam's intentional and engaged watchfulness over her brother's fate.

* **Divine Providence and Human Agency:** Miriam's presence underscores the interplay between God's sovereign plan and human action. While God's protective hand is evident in Moses's survival, Miriam's courage and strategic positioning are instrumental in facilitating that divine plan. Her vigilance sets the stage for the miraculous intervention of Pharaoh's daughter.
* **Faith and Courage:** For a young girl to remain in such a dangerous and uncertain situation, observing the outcome of her brother's exposure, required immense courage. Her act was not passive but a demonstration of active faith, trusting that her presence and readiness could make a difference, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
* **Family Loyalty and Love:** This verse beautifully illustrates the profound familial bonds within Moses's family. Miriam's dedication to her infant brother's safety is a powerful testament to sisterly love and responsibility, highlighting the deep concern and unity within a family under persecution.
* **Vigilance and Strategic Readiness:** Miriam's explicit purpose "to wit what would be done to him" highlights her active and watchful role. This vigilance was not merely curious observation but a strategic readiness to respond or intervene, which she skillfully does in the very next verses by [speaking to Pharaoh's daughter](/exodus/2-7 "Miriam's clever intervention").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Preservation of His Chosen:** The verse exemplifies God's meticulous care for His chosen instruments, even in their most vulnerable state. Miriam's watchfulness is a human echo of God's unceasing watch over His people and His plans.
* **The Significance of Seemingly Small Acts:** Miriam, a young girl, performs an act that appears minor but proves to be critically significant in the grand narrative of salvation history. This emphasizes that God often uses the faithful obedience and courage of ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
* **Intergenerational Faithfulness:** The narrative showcases a chain of faithfulness—Jochebed's defiance, Miriam's vigilance—demonstrating how faith is passed down and acted upon across generations within a family committed to God's will.
* **The Role of Women in God's Plan:** Miriam, along with the Hebrew midwives and Pharaoh's daughter, plays a crucial role in Moses's preservation, highlighting the significant and often overlooked contributions of women in biblical history. Miriam herself would later be recognized as a [prophetess](/exodus/15-20 "Miriam leads the women in song") and a [leader among Israel](/micah/6-4 "Micah 6:4 mentions Miriam as a leader of Israel").
* **Hope Amidst Despair:** In a context of brutal oppression and infanticide, Miriam's steadfast presence offers a glimmer of hope, demonstrating that even in the darkest times, God is at work, often through unexpected means and courageous individuals.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Exodus 2:4](/exodus/2-4 "Miriam's Vigilance and its Lesson") serves as a profound reminder that God often uses the faithful and courageous acts of individuals, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, to advance His grand redemptive purposes. Like Miriam, we are called to be vigilant and prayerful, actively watching for opportunities to serve and protect those in vulnerable situations, trusting that our presence, intercession, or readiness to act can make a tangible difference. This story encourages us to embrace our unique roles in God's unfolding plan, recognizing that every act of faithfulness, however quiet or hidden, contributes to His sovereign work and can set the stage for monumental events.

### FAQ

**Why is Moses's sister unnamed in this verse?**

Answer: While [Exodus 2:4](/exodus/2-4 "Moses's sister stands afar off") does not name her, later biblical texts, specifically [Numbers 26:59](/numbers/26-59 "Miriam identified as Moses's sister"), identify her as Miriam. Her anonymity here emphasizes her role in the immediate drama without distracting from the focus on the infant Moses, yet her actions are profoundly significant to the narrative.

**What is the meaning of "to wit" in the King James Version?**

Answer: In the context of [Exodus 2:4](/exodus/2-4 "Moses's sister stands afar off"), "to wit" is an archaic English phrase from the King James Version, meaning "to know," "to ascertain," or "to find out." The underlying Hebrew verb, *yada* (יָדַע), implies a deliberate and active observation, signifying Miriam's intent to understand and respond to whatever might happen to her brother.

**How does Miriam's seemingly small act contribute to God's larger plan?**

Answer: Miriam's act of vigilant watchfulness, though seemingly minor, was a crucial link in God's providential plan for Moses's preservation and the eventual deliverance of Israel. Her presence allowed her to quickly intervene when [Pharaoh's daughter discovered the child](/exodus/2-5 "Pharaoh's daughter finds Moses"), facilitating Moses's return to his mother for nursing ([Exodus 2:7-9](/exodus/2-7 "Miriam suggests a Hebrew nurse")). This illustrates how God often uses the faithfulness and courage of ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary purposes, demonstrating that no act of obedience is insignificant in His divine economy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The preservation of Moses, facilitated by Miriam's vigilance in [Exodus 2:4](/exodus/2-4 "Miriam's Vigilance"), foreshadows the ultimate preservation of God's greater Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was miraculously saved from a decree of death to become the rescuer of Israel, so too was Jesus protected in His infancy from Herod's murderous intent ([Matthew 2:13-18](/matthew/2-13 "Herod's slaughter of the innocents")) to fulfill His mission as the Savior of the world. Moses, as a type of Christ, prefigures the One who would truly lead His people out of bondage—not merely from physical slavery, but from the spiritual slavery of sin and death, through His own sacrifice and resurrection. Miriam's watchful love for her brother points to the divine care that ensures the coming of the promised Messiah, through whom all humanity finds ultimate deliverance.

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.