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 captures the pivotal moment when Pharaoh's daughter, moved by compassion for the infant Moses, assents to Miriam's clever suggestion, thereby authorizing the child's biological mother to serve as his nurse. This seemingly simple 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 royal protection.

### CONTEXT
The historical setting for [Exodus 2:8](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/exodus/2 "The broader context of Exodus chapter 2") is the oppressive Egyptian regime, where a new Pharaoh, fearing the multiplying Israelites, decreed the murder of all male Hebrew infants by casting them into the Nile ([Exodus 1:22](/exodus/1-22 "Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants")). Amidst this peril, Jochebed, a Levite woman, bore Moses and hid him for three months. When concealment became impossible, she placed him in a waterproof basket on the Nile ([Exodus 2:3](/exodus/2-3 "Moses placed in the ark on the Nile")). His older sister, Miriam, discreetly observed as Pharaoh's daughter discovered the weeping infant. After the princess's compassion was stirred, [Miriam shrewdly offered to find a Hebrew nurse](/exodus/2-7 "Miriam's quick thinking and offer to find a nurse"). This immediate assent by Pharaoh's daughter, as recorded in this verse, miraculously reunited Moses with his biological mother for his crucial formative years.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 2:8 succinctly records Pharaoh's daughter's immediate and crucial command: "Go." This single word, uttered in response to Miriam's bold yet wise suggestion, sets in motion a series of events orchestrated by divine providence. The princess's prompt assent, driven by compassion for the abandoned infant, demonstrates her unexpected role in God's plan. The Hebrew word for "maid" (נַעֲרָה, *na’arah*) referring to Miriam, emphasizes her youth yet remarkable courage and quick wit. Her initiative, though seemingly simple, was instrumental in securing not just Moses's life, but his upbringing by his own mother, Jochebed. This reunion, facilitated by the very daughter of the oppressor, is a profound testament to God's ability to work through unlikely individuals and circumstances to achieve His purposes. The phrase "the child's mother" highlights the miraculous nature of this arrangement, allowing Jochebed to nurse her own son, effectively receiving payment from the royal household for a task she would have gladly performed for free. This arrangement ensured Moses's physical nourishment and, more importantly, his foundational connection to his Hebrew heritage during his earliest, most impressionable years, even as he was destined for the Egyptian court.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence in Unlikely Circumstances:** 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 ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God works all things for good for those who love Him")).
* **Profound Irony and Reversal:** Pharaoh's genocidal plan to eliminate Hebrew males is dramatically subverted by his own daughter, who ensures the survival and upbringing of the one destined to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage ([Exodus 3:10](/exodus/3-10 "God calls Moses to deliver Israel")). This deep irony underscores the futility of human efforts to thwart God's ultimate will.
* **God's Meticulous Protection and Care:** Moses, chosen by God for a monumental task, is protected from infancy through extraordinary and seemingly coincidental means. God uses the natural compassion of Pharaoh's daughter and the quick thinking of Miriam to secure his safety and ensure he is raised with a deep understanding of his heritage, even while being groomed within the royal household.

### 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. Furthermore, it highlights that God frequently employs unconventional channels and unlikely individuals, even those seemingly opposed to His will, to advance His kingdom. Finally, 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.

### 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.

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

Answer: The Bible does not specify Miriam's exact age in Exodus 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 demonstrates maturity beyond her years.

**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.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous preservation of Moses in Exodus 2:8, 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) to deliver humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Moses's life, from his miraculous rescue to his role as mediator and law-giver, serves as a type of Christ's greater redemptive work. 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.

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.