Exodus 2:7

KJV

Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} his sister {H269} to Pharaoh's {H6547} daughter {H1323}, Shall I go {H3212} and call {H7121} to thee a nurse {H3243} of the Hebrew {H5680} women {H802}, that she may nurse {H3243} the child {H3206} for thee?

Complete Jewish Bible

At this point, his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Would you like me to go and find you one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?"

Berean Standard Bible

Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?”

American Standard Version

Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Miriam's quick thinking in [Exodus 2:7](/exodus/2-7 "Miriam's Clever Suggestion") leads to Moses being nursed by his own mother, ensuring his survival and upbringing within his heritage, a critical step in God's intricate plan for Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

### CONTEXT
Following Pharaoh's decree to kill all male Hebrew infants ([Exodus 1:22](/exodus/1-22 "Pharaoh's Decree")), Moses' mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months before placing him in a basket (ark) among the reeds of the Nile River. His older sister, traditionally identified as Miriam, watched from a distance to observe his fate. When Pharaoh's daughter discovered the infant and took pity on him, Miriam seized the opportune moment to approach her as the princess contemplated the baby's care.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
This verse captures Miriam's astute and courageous intervention. Seeing Pharaoh's daughter's compassion for the crying Hebrew infant, Miriam, likely a young girl herself, boldly approached the princess. Her question, "Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?" was a masterstroke of quick thinking. It subtly suggested a practical solution to the immediate need—a wet nurse for the baby—while simultaneously ensuring that the nurse would be a Hebrew woman, thus allowing Moses' own mother to be brought in.

The practice of employing a wet nurse was common in ancient royal and wealthy households, as it was often considered beneath a princess or noblewoman to nurse a child herself, or perhaps she was unable to. Miriam's proposal leveraged this cultural custom. The Hebrew word for "nurse" here is *yanak* (יָנַק), meaning "to suckle" or "to give milk," clearly referring to a wet nurse. This seemingly simple offer set in motion a chain of events that not only saved Moses' life but also ensured his formative years were spent under the care and instruction of his biological family, instilling in him his true identity and heritage before he was brought into the Egyptian palace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence:** God's intricate plan is evident, as seemingly coincidental events—Moses' placement, Pharaoh's daughter's discovery, and Miriam's presence—converge to protect the future deliverer.
* **Human Agency in God's Plan:** Miriam's boldness and quick thinking demonstrate how God uses the actions of individuals, even a young girl, to accomplish His sovereign purposes.
* **The Role of Family and Heritage:** The arrangement for Moses to be nursed by his own mother ensured he received a foundational understanding of his Hebrew identity and faith, crucial for his future leadership.
* **God's Care for the Vulnerable:** This episode highlights God's protective hand over the most vulnerable, turning a death sentence into a path for preservation and future deliverance.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Miriam's intervention serves as a powerful reminder that God can use unexpected individuals and seemingly small, yet courageous, actions to bring about His grand designs. It encourages believers to be alert to opportunities for service and to trust that even in dire circumstances, God is at work, orchestrating events for His glory and the good of His people. Our quick thinking and willingness to act can become pivotal moments in God's unfolding plan.

### FAQ
**Who was Moses' sister mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: While not explicitly named in this verse, tradition and later biblical accounts ([Numbers 26:59](/numbers/26-59 "The Family of Levi")) identify Moses' sister as Miriam. She plays a significant role in the Exodus narrative, including leading the women in song after the crossing of the Red Sea.

**Why did Pharaoh's daughter need a "nurse of the Hebrew women"?**

Answer: It was a common practice in ancient royal and wealthy households to employ a wet nurse for infants, rather than the mother nursing the child herself. Miriam's suggestion was clever because it offered a practical solution to the immediate need for the baby's care while ensuring the nurse would be a Hebrew woman, allowing Moses' biological mother to nurse him.

**Does Miriam's action imply manipulation?**

Answer: Miriam's action can be seen as divinely inspired ingenuity rather than manipulation. She seized a providential moment with wisdom and courage, offering a solution that benefited all parties and, most importantly, served God's greater purpose of preserving Moses for his future role as deliverer. Her quick thinking was a response to divine opportunity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 2:7, through the miraculous preservation of Moses, foreshadows the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was saved from a decree of death and raised to deliver his people from bondage, so too was Christ protected in His infancy (e.g., from Herod's decree in [Matthew 2:13-15](/matthew/2-13-15 "Flight to Egypt")) to deliver humanity from the bondage of sin and death. God's providential care for Moses, ensuring his upbringing within his heritage, points to God's meticulous plan for the incarnation of His Son, who was fully human and fully divine, born into the lineage of Abraham and David to fulfill all promises and accomplish the ultimate redemption.

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.