Exodus 2:5

¶ And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash [herself] at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.

And the daughter {H1323} of Pharaoh {H6547} came down {H3381} to wash {H7364} herself at the river {H2975}; and her maidens {H5291} walked {H1980} along by the river's {H2975} side {H3027}; and when she saw {H7200} the ark {H8392} among {H8432} the flags {H5488}, she sent {H7971} her maid {H519} to fetch {H3947} it.

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe in the river while her maids-in-attendance walked along the riverside. Spotting the basket among the reeds, she sent her slave-girl to get it.

Soon the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe in the Nile, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. And when she saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maidservant to retrieve it.

And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river-side; and she saw the ark among the flags, and sent her handmaid to fetch it.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 2:5

Exodus 2:5 is a pivotal verse in the early life of Moses, following his birth and the desperate measures taken by his mother, Jochebed, to save him from Pharaoh's cruel decree. Pharaoh had commanded that every male Hebrew infant be thrown into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). To protect her son, Jochebed placed Moses in a specially prepared basket, or "ark," among the reeds by the riverbank (Exodus 2:3). This verse marks the moment of his miraculous discovery by an unexpected individual.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign hand at work. Despite Pharaoh's attempts to eradicate the Israelite male population, God orchestrates the rescue of Moses, the future deliverer of Israel, through the most unlikely agent – Pharaoh's own daughter. This highlights that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human decrees.
  • Compassion and Humanity: Pharaoh's daughter, a member of the oppressive ruling class, displays a remarkable act of compassion. Her decision to save the infant, knowing he was a Hebrew child, transcends the political and ethnic tensions of the time, showcasing a universal human capacity for empathy.
  • God Uses the Unexpected: The narrative illustrates God's ability to use individuals from all walks of life, even those seemingly outside His covenant people or from hostile environments, to accomplish His divine purposes. Pharaoh's daughter becomes an unwitting instrument in God's grand design for Israel's liberation.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Ark" (תֵּבָה, tebah): The Hebrew word for "ark" used here is the same unique term found only one other place in the Old Testament: for Noah's ark (Genesis 6:14). This parallel emphasizes that Moses' basket was not merely a container but a vessel of salvation and preservation, designed to float and protect life through perilous waters.
  • "Flags" (סוּף, sûph): This term refers to the reeds or rushes that grew along the banks of the Nile. It's the same word found in "Yam Suph," often translated as "Red Sea" or "Sea of Reeds," suggesting a dense growth of aquatic plants that provided a natural hiding place for the infant Moses.

Narrative Details and Significance

The daughter of Pharaoh's routine visit to the Nile, likely for bathing or ritual purification, places her directly at the scene of Moses' hiding. Her keen observation of the "ark among the flags" and her immediate instruction to her maid to "fetch it" are the crucial actions that lead to Moses' discovery. This moment is not accidental; it is a divinely orchestrated encounter that sets the stage for Moses' upbringing in the Egyptian palace, preparing him for his eventual role in leading the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt.

Practical Application

Exodus 2:5 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that even in the most challenging or seemingly hopeless circumstances, God is actively at work, often in unseen ways, to bring about His purposes. We can trust in His sovereign care and providence, knowing that He can use anyone and anything—even the most unexpected people or events—to fulfill His plans. This verse invites us to look for God's hand in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life, and to recognize that His compassion can arise from surprising sources.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 7:21

    And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

  • Psalms 9:9

    The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

  • Psalms 12:5

    For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.

  • Psalms 46:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

  • Exodus 8:20

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • Exodus 7:15

    Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

  • Proverbs 21:1

    ¶ The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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