Exodus 2:8

KJV

And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Pharaoh's {H6547} daughter {H1323} said {H559} to her, Go {H3212}. And the maid {H5959} went {H3212} and called {H7121} the child's {H3206} mother {H517}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh's daughter answered, "Yes, go." So the girl went and called the baby's own mother.

Berean Standard Bible

“Go ahead,” Pharaoh’s daughter told her. And the girl went and called the boy’s mother.

American Standard Version

And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maiden went and called the child’s mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 2:8 records the pivotal moment when Pharaoh's daughter, moved by compassion for the infant Moses, accepts Miriam's ingenious proposal, thereby authorizing Moses's biological mother to serve as his nurse. This seemingly simple yet divinely orchestrated interaction profoundly illustrates God's intricate providence, transforming a decree of death into a life-saving opportunity and ensuring the future deliverer of Israel is raised within his own family, albeit under the protection and patronage of the royal household.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within the dramatic narrative of Moses's birth and early preservation. Preceding it, [Exodus 2:1-7](/exodus/2-1-7 "Moses's Birth and Rescue") details how Moses's parents hid him for three months, then placed him in an ark on the Nile, with his sister Miriam strategically watching from a distance. Pharaoh's daughter discovers the infant, feels compassion, and Miriam seizes the opportunity to suggest a Hebrew nurse. Exodus 2:8 is the immediate and crucial response to Miriam's suggestion, setting the stage for Moses's unique upbringing. Following this verse, [Exodus 2:9-10](/exodus/2-9-10 "Moses Returns to His Mother") describes the mother's return, her nursing of Moses, and his eventual adoption into Pharaoh's household, highlighting the miraculous and ironic turn of events.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the severe oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, culminating in Pharaoh's decree to cast every Hebrew male infant into the Nile ([Exodus 1:22](/exodus/1-22 "Pharaoh's Decree to Kill Hebrew Male Infants")). This decree forms the immediate threat against Moses. Culturally, the practice of employing wet nurses was common, especially in royal households, to ensure the infant's health and the mother's ability to conceive again. The Nile was central to Egyptian life, but here it becomes a place of both death (Pharaoh's decree) and miraculous preservation (Moses's ark). The scene also subtly highlights the power dynamics, where a young Hebrew girl boldly approaches royalty, driven by the desperate hope for her brother's survival.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 2:8 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus. Foremost is **Divine Providence**, demonstrating God's sovereign hand at work even in the most dire and seemingly hopeless situations, orchestrating events through human agents and natural compassion to fulfill His purposes. It also highlights the theme of **Subversion of Evil**, as Pharaoh's genocidal decree is ironically undermined by his own daughter, ensuring the survival of the very one destined to lead Israel out of bondage. Furthermore, the verse underscores **God's Protection of His Chosen**, illustrating how Moses, destined for a monumental task, is meticulously guarded from infancy. This miraculous preservation foreshadows God's faithfulness to His covenant people, a theme that continues throughout the [deliverance narrative](/exodus/3-7-10 "God Hears Israel's Cry and Calls Moses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, this primitive root means "to say" with great latitude, encompassing answering, appointing, commanding, declaring, and speaking. In this context, it signifies Pharaoh's daughter's authoritative and immediate verbal assent, a decisive command that sets the miraculous events in motion. Her "saying" is not merely an acknowledgement but an active authorization.
* **Go (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** From H3212, a primitive root meaning "to walk" or "to go," often with causative implications like "to carry" or "to lead." Here, it is an imperative, a direct command from Pharaoh's daughter to Miriam. This single word is potent, granting Miriam permission to leave and find the nurse, effectively empowering her to execute her clever plan.
* **maid (Hebrew, _ʻalmâh'_):** From H5959, this feminine noun refers to a "lass" or "damsel," often implying a young, unmarried woman or virgin. In this verse, it refers to Miriam. The use of this term emphasizes her youth and perhaps her vulnerability, making her bold and quick-witted initiative all the more remarkable and highlighting God's use of seemingly insignificant individuals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go."**: This clause captures the pivotal moment of divine intervention. Pharaoh's daughter, having just discovered the weeping infant and feeling compassion, receives Miriam's bold suggestion to find a Hebrew nurse. Her immediate and decisive command, "Go," signifies her assent and authorization, setting in motion the miraculous reunion of Moses with his biological mother. This demonstrates her unexpected role as an instrument of God's providence.
* **"And the maid went and called the child's mother."**: This second clause details Miriam's prompt and successful execution of the princess's command. The "maid" (Miriam) acts swiftly, demonstrating her courage, quick thinking, and loyalty to her family. Her action of "calling the child's mother" directly leads to the miraculous arrangement where Jochebed, Moses's biological mother, is brought back to nurse her own son, under royal patronage, fulfilling God's protective plan.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices, most notably **Irony** and **Conciseness**. The profound **Irony** lies in the fact that Pharaoh's daughter, whose father decreed the death of all Hebrew male infants, becomes the very instrument of the future deliverer's salvation. She not only saves him but also facilitates his upbringing by his own mother, effectively paying for the care of the child her father sought to destroy. This dramatic reversal underscores the futility of human opposition to divine will. The **Conciseness** of the narrative is also striking; the profound and far-reaching implications of this interaction are conveyed in a remarkably brief and direct manner, emphasizing the swiftness of the events and the immediate impact of the princess's decision and Miriam's action. The narrative acts as a testament to **Divine Providence**, where seemingly coincidental events are revealed as meticulously orchestrated parts of God's overarching plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand at work, turning a death decree against Hebrew male infants into a life-saving opportunity for the future deliverer of Israel. The very daughter of the oppressive Pharaoh becomes an unwitting instrument of salvation, demonstrating God's ability to orchestrate circumstances for His purposes even through unexpected individuals and events. This divine orchestration highlights that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human decrees or evil intentions, as He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The King's Heart is in the Hand of the Lord")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 2:8 offers profound lessons for believers today, primarily reminding us to trust in God's unseen hand, even amidst the darkest and most desperate circumstances. This narrative powerfully illustrates that God is perpetually at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His divine purposes, even when the full picture remains obscure. It teaches us that God frequently employs unconventional channels and unlikely individuals, even those seemingly opposed to His will, to advance His kingdom. Furthermore, Miriam's quick thinking and bold initiative underscore the significance of our readiness to act on divine nudges or seize opportunities, however small, as such timely actions and obedience can play a crucial role in God's grander plan. This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate appearances and recognize the deeper, providential workings of God in our lives and in the world, fostering a spirit of faith and active participation in His unfolding story.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this account of Moses's rescue challenge your understanding of God's providence in seemingly random or difficult situations?**
* **In what ways might God be using "unlikely" people or circumstances in your life or in the world today to accomplish His purposes?**
* **What "Miriam-like" opportunities might God be presenting to you, calling for courage and quick thinking in faith?**

### FAQ
**Why was Pharaoh's daughter so compassionate towards Moses?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state her motivations beyond her seeing the "weeping" child and having "compassion" on him. This suggests a natural human response to a helpless infant, regardless of his Hebrew origin. The narrative presents her compassion as a key element in God's providential plan, demonstrating how even those outside the covenant community can be instruments of His will, highlighting God's ability to soften hearts and direct human actions for His purposes, as seen in [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The King's Heart is in the Hand of the Lord").

**How old was Miriam when she approached Pharaoh's daughter?**

Answer: The Bible does not specify Miriam's exact age in [Exodus 2](/exodus/2 "The Book of Exodus, Chapter 2"). However, based on her ability to observe from a distance, approach Pharaoh's daughter, and articulate a sensible suggestion, she was likely old enough to be responsible and articulate, perhaps a young girl or pre-teenager. Her quick thinking and courage demonstrate maturity beyond her years, indicating she was old enough to understand the gravity of the situation and act decisively.

**Does this event suggest God uses "chance" or "luck" to achieve His purposes?**

Answer: While the events surrounding Moses's rescue might appear coincidental from a human perspective, the biblical narrative consistently presents them as divine providence, not chance. God orchestrates circumstances, influences hearts (like Pharaoh's daughter's compassion), and empowers individuals (like Miriam's courage) to fulfill His sovereign plan. There is no "luck" in God's economy; only His purposeful design, demonstrating His meticulous care and control over all events to bring about His will, as affirmed in passages like [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "God Works All Things According to His Will").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous preservation of Moses in [Exodus 2:8](/exodus/2-8 "Exodus 2:8 - Moses's Mother Called to Nurse Him"), orchestrated by divine providence through unlikely means, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was divinely protected from a decree of death to become the deliverer of Israel, so too was Jesus, the greater Moses, preserved from infancy (e.g., Herod's decree in [Matthew 2:13-15](/matthew/2-13-15 "The Flight into Egypt")) to deliver humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Moses's life, from his miraculous rescue to his role as mediator of the Law, serves as a powerful type of Christ's greater redemptive work. While Moses delivered Israel from physical slavery, Jesus offers deliverance from spiritual bondage and eternal death ([John 8:34-36](/john/8-34-36 "Jesus Sets Free from Sin")). This verse, therefore, points to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, culminating in His Son, who provides the ultimate and eternal deliverance, demonstrating God's sovereign care over all history to bring about His perfect plan of salvation and usher in the new covenant of grace ([Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1-6 "Jesus Greater than Moses"); [John 1:17](/john/1-17 "Law through Moses, Grace and Truth through Jesus Christ")).

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 27:10

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Isaiah 46:3

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne [by me] from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

Isaiah 46:4

And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].

Exodus 6:20

And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram [were] an hundred and thirty and seven years.

Ezekiel 16:8

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time [was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.