Exodus 2:5

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Exodus 2:5 marks the pivotal moment when Pharaoh's daughter discovers the infant Moses hidden in an ark among the reeds of the Nile, an act of divine providence that miraculously preserves the future deliverer of Israel from Pharaoh's genocidal decree. This unexpected encounter sets the stage for Moses' unique upbringing within the Egyptian palace, preparing him for his destined role in God's plan.

### CONTEXT
Following Pharaoh's decree to drown all male Hebrew infants ([Exodus 1:22](/exodus/1-22 "Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants")), Moses' mother, Jochebed, placed him in a waterproof basket, or "ark," among the reeds along the Nile's bank ([Exodus 2:3](/exodus/2-3 "Moses placed in the ark")). This verse details the unexpected and divinely orchestrated discovery of the infant by Pharaoh's own daughter, setting the stage for his unique upbringing and God's unfolding plan for Israel's liberation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The narrative unfolds with the daughter of Pharaoh, a figure of significant authority within the oppressive regime, descending to the Nile. Her purpose, likely for bathing or a ritual purification, places her directly at the site where Moses was hidden. Accompanied by her maidens, her attention is drawn to a peculiar sight: "the ark among the flags." This observation is not accidental but a divinely guided moment.

Her immediate response—sending her maid to "fetch it"—demonstrates both her curiosity and a nascent compassion. This seemingly simple action initiates a chain of events that will profoundly alter the course of Israelite history, leading to Moses' rescue and his subsequent upbringing within the very palace from which the decree of his death originated. This moment is a testament to God's sovereign hand, actively working behind the scenes to preserve His chosen instrument and ensure the fulfillment of His promises.

Key terms in this verse offer deeper insight:
* **"Ark" (תֵּבָה, _tebah_):** This unique Hebrew term is used only here and for Noah's ark ([Genesis 6:14](/genesis/6-14 "Noah's ark")). Its reappearance emphasizes a parallel theme of divine preservation and salvation through water, highlighting Moses' basket as a vessel of life in the face of widespread death.
* **"Flags" (סוּף, _sûph_):** Referring to the reeds or rushes of the Nile, this word is famously part of "Yam Suph," often translated as "Red Sea" or "Sea of Reeds." Its use here underscores the natural, yet divinely chosen, hiding place that provided concealment and protection for the infant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence:** God's sovereign hand is unmistakably at work, orchestrating Moses' rescue through the most unlikely agent—Pharaoh's own daughter—demonstrating that His plans cannot be thwarted by human decrees, even those of the most powerful rulers.
* **Compassion Transcends Barriers:** Pharaoh's daughter, a member of the oppressive ruling class, exhibits remarkable compassion, choosing to save a Hebrew child despite her father's genocidal command, illustrating a universal capacity for empathy that can emerge from surprising sources.
* **God Uses the Unexpected:** The narrative powerfully illustrates God's ability to employ individuals from all walks of life, including those seemingly outside His covenant people or from hostile environments, as instruments to accomplish His divine purposes.
* **The Nile: A Place of Both Death and Life:** The very river designated for the destruction of Hebrew male infants becomes, through God's intervention, the means of salvation for Israel's future deliverer, highlighting God's power to redeem and transform seemingly adverse circumstances.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 2:5 serves as a profound reminder that even amidst seemingly hopeless or challenging circumstances, God remains actively at work, often in unseen and unexpected ways, to fulfill His purposes. Believers are encouraged to trust in His sovereign care and providence, recognizing that He can utilize anyone or anything—from the most powerful to the most vulnerable—to advance His divine plan. This verse calls us to cultivate an awareness of God's hand in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life, fostering a deeper faith in His unwavering faithfulness and the surprising sources from which His compassion can arise.

### FAQ
**Why did Pharaoh's daughter go to the river?**

Answer: The text states she "came down to wash [herself] at the river." This was likely a common practice for bathing or ritual purification in ancient Egypt, placing her directly at the location where Moses was hidden.

**What is the significance of the "ark" (תֵּבָה, _tebah_) being the same word as Noah's ark?**

Answer: The shared Hebrew term, *tebah*, for both Moses' basket and Noah's ark, is highly significant. It emphasizes that both vessels were divinely appointed instruments of salvation and preservation through water, protecting life from widespread destruction and highlighting God's consistent method of delivering His chosen ones. This linguistic connection underscores a theological theme of God's redemptive work through seemingly fragile means.

**How does Exodus 2:5 demonstrate God's providence?**

Answer: This verse powerfully illustrates God's providence by showing His active and sovereign control over events. Despite Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew male infants, God orchestrates the rescue of Moses, the future deliverer, through the most unlikely agent—Pharaoh's own daughter—ensuring His plans for Israel's liberation cannot be thwarted. It reveals God's ability to use even the actions of an oppressor's family for His redemptive purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses, miraculously preserved from death in water and raised in Pharaoh's household, serves as a significant type of Christ. Just as Moses was God's chosen deliverer who led His people out of bondage in Egypt ([Exodus 3:10](/exodus/3-10 "God calls Moses to deliver Israel")), Christ is the ultimate Deliverer who rescues humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Moses' rescue from the Nile foreshadows Christ's triumph over death and His role as the one who brings His people into spiritual freedom and the promised inheritance, ultimately fulfilling the greater salvation that Moses' life prefigured.

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.