Exodus 2:9

KJV

And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give [thee] thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Pharaoh's {H6547} daughter {H1323} said {H559} unto her, Take {H3212} this child {H3206} away {H3212}, and nurse {H3243} it for me, and I will give {H5414} thee thy wages {H7939}. And the woman {H802} took {H3947} the child {H3206}, and nursed {H5134} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh's daughter told her, "Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will pay you for doing it." So the woman took the child and nursed it.

Berean Standard Bible

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages.” So the woman took the boy and nursed him.

American Standard Version

And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 2:9 stands as a profound testament to divine providence, illustrating God's meticulous orchestration of events to preserve the infant Moses amidst Pharaoh's genocidal decree against Hebrew male infants. In an astonishing and ironic turn, Pharaoh's own daughter discovers Moses, feels compassion, and unwittingly entrusts him to his biological mother, Jochebed, to be nursed, even providing wages for her service. This pivotal moment not only secures the life of Israel's future deliverer but also ensures his foundational years are spent under the care of his own people, all while being financially supported by the very regime that sought his destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within the opening narrative of the book of Exodus, immediately following the dramatic discovery of the infant Moses in the Nile by Pharaoh's daughter. Chapter 1 establishes the severe oppression of the Israelites and Pharaoh's escalating decrees, culminating in the command to cast all Hebrew male infants into the Nile [Exodus 1:22](/exodus/1-22 "Pharaoh's Decree to Kill Male Infants"). Chapter 2 then introduces Moses' birth, his mother Jochebed's courageous act of hiding him, and her desperate placement of him in an "ark" among the reeds. Miriam, Moses' sister, strategically positions herself to observe. The preceding verses [Exodus 2:5-8](/exodus/2-5-8 "Pharaoh's Daughter Finds Moses") detail Pharaoh's daughter finding the child, her compassion, and Miriam's quick-witted suggestion to procure a Hebrew nurse, setting the stage for the remarkable agreement in verse 9. This verse serves as the immediate resolution to the perilous situation, ensuring Moses' survival and care.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Egypt, a dominant world power known for its advanced civilization, polytheistic religion, and rigid social hierarchy. The Israelites, descendants of Jacob, had grown into a numerous people, perceived as a threat by the reigning Pharaoh. Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants was a calculated act of genocide aimed at controlling the Israelite population and breaking their spirit. The Nile River was central to Egyptian life, revered as a deity (Hapi) and used for bathing by royalty, making it a symbolic and practical location for Moses' discovery. The practice of hiring wet nurses was common in ancient societies, especially among the elite, to ensure proper infant care. The payment of "wages" (Hebrew: *sakhar*) indicates a formal contractual arrangement, underscoring the legal and economic aspects of this transaction within the Egyptian system.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 2:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Providence**, showcasing God's sovereign hand at work even in the darkest of times, using unexpected means and individuals—even the oppressor's household—to accomplish His purposes. It highlights the **Irony of God's Plan**, where Pharaoh's attempt to destroy the Hebrew male line inadvertently leads to the preservation and upbringing of Israel's deliverer within his own palace. The verse also underscores the theme of **Faith and Human Agency**, as Jochebed's and Miriam's courageous and resourceful actions are integral to God's unfolding plan, demonstrating that human obedience and initiative play a vital role in divine deliverance, as seen in [Hebrews 11:23](/hebrews/11-23 "By faith Moses was hidden"). Furthermore, it initiates the theme of **Deliverance and Redemption**, setting the stage for Moses' future role as the one chosen by God to lead His people out of bondage, a theme that resonates throughout the entire book of [Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Daughter (Hebrew, _bath'_):** From the root *banah* (to build), this term (H1323) signifies a female offspring, but in this context, it specifically refers to Pharaoh's daughter. Her identity is crucial, as she is a member of the very royal household that decreed the death of Hebrew male infants. Her compassion and decision to take the child are the unexpected catalysts for Moses' preservation, highlighting God's ability to work through unlikely agents.
* **Child (Hebrew, _yeled'_):** Derived from *yalad* (to bear, bring forth), this word (H3206) denotes something born, a lad or offspring. Here, it emphasizes Moses' extreme vulnerability as an infant. The use of "child" rather than "baby" or "infant" also carries a broader sense of a young one, underscoring his potential and future significance despite his current helplessness.
* **Wages (Hebrew, _sâkâr'_):** From the root *sakhar* (to hire, earn), this term (H7939) refers to payment for a contract, salary, or compensation. The offer of "wages" transforms the act of nursing into a formal, binding agreement, ensuring Jochebed's continued care for Moses under the guise of a legitimate service. This payment is a profound irony, as the Egyptian crown unwittingly funds the upbringing of its future adversary and Israel's deliverer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker's authority and initiative. Pharaoh's daughter, having found the child and been approached by Miriam, takes control of the situation, demonstrating her royal prerogative and immediate decision to care for the infant.
* **"Take this child away, and nurse it for me,"**: This is a direct command, revealing Pharaoh's daughter's compassionate intent to adopt the child and her need for a wet nurse. The phrase "for me" indicates her personal claim and responsibility for the child's well-being, solidifying her intention to raise him as her own. The instruction to "nurse it" highlights the critical need for immediate and sustained care for the infant.
* **"and I will give [thee] thy wages."**: This crucial addition formalizes the arrangement. It is not a mere offer of charity but a contractual agreement to pay for the nursing service. This detail underscores the legal and economic framework within which God's plan unfolds, ensuring Jochebed's ability to care for Moses without financial burden, and ironically, at the expense of the Egyptian treasury.
* **"And the woman took the child, and nursed it."**: This final clause confirms the immediate and successful execution of the divinely orchestrated plan. "The woman" refers to Jochebed, Moses' biological mother, who now takes her own child back, legally and with compensation, to nurture him. This marks a miraculous reversal of fortune, ensuring Moses' formative years are spent under the loving care and instruction of his own Hebrew family, preserving his identity and preparing him for his future role.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 2:9 is **Irony**, specifically **Dramatic Irony**. The audience is fully aware that "the woman" being hired as a wet nurse is, in fact, Moses' biological mother, Jochebed, while Pharaoh's daughter remains oblivious to this crucial fact. This creates a powerful sense of divine orchestration and a profound **Plot Twist**, where the very system designed to destroy Hebrew male children is unwittingly used to preserve and even fund the upbringing of their greatest deliverer. Furthermore, there is an element of **Juxtaposition** between Pharaoh's murderous decree and his daughter's act of compassion, highlighting the stark contrast between human malice and divine mercy operating through unexpected channels. The narrative also employs a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**, as this miraculous preservation hints at the greater deliverance that Moses will eventually bring to the entire nation of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 2:9 is a profound illustration of God's meticulous and sovereign providence, demonstrating His ability to work through seemingly impossible circumstances and even through the actions of His adversaries to accomplish His divine will. This verse powerfully testifies that no human decree or oppressive power can thwart the purposes of the Almighty. It highlights God's intricate care for His people, ensuring the preservation of His chosen deliverer against overwhelming odds, and underscores the profound irony that the very kingdom seeking to destroy Israel ends up funding the upbringing of the one who will lead them to freedom.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God works all things for good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Exodus 2:9 offers profound encouragement and practical application for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that even in the most desperate and dangerous circumstances, God is actively at work, often in unexpected ways and through seemingly unlikely people. This passage calls us to cultivate a deep and unwavering trust in God's sovereign plan, even when our personal circumstances appear bleak, contradictory to our hopes, or when we face overwhelming opposition. It teaches us that our small acts of faith, courage, and obedience—much like Jochebed's decision to hide Moses and Miriam's quick thinking—can play a significant and indispensable role in God's grand redemptive design. This verse assures us that God's faithfulness to His covenant people transcends generations, reminding us that He is always working behind the scenes, turning the schemes of the wicked into instruments for His glory and the good of His beloved children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the story of Moses' rescue challenge your understanding of God's providence in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be working through unexpected people or circumstances in your current situation?**
* **What "small acts of faith" can you take today, trusting that God can use them for His greater purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why did Pharaoh's daughter pay Moses' mother to nurse him?**

Answer: Pharaoh's daughter paid Moses' mother, Jochebed, to nurse him for several key reasons, all orchestrated by divine providence. Firstly, having found the crying infant and feeling compassion, she decided to adopt him, and infants required a wet nurse for proper nourishment and care. Secondly, Miriam, Moses' sister, cleverly and opportunistically suggested finding a Hebrew woman to nurse the child, knowing full well that Jochebed was the ideal candidate. Thirdly, the payment formalized the arrangement, making it a legitimate service within the Egyptian system. This ironic payment ensured that Moses, the future deliverer of Israel, was not only saved from Pharaoh's decree but was also nurtured and raised by his own biological mother, instilling in him his Hebrew identity and heritage, all at the expense of the very kingdom that sought to destroy him.

**How does this event demonstrate divine providence?**

Answer: This event powerfully demonstrates divine providence through a remarkable series of unlikely and perfectly timed occurrences. Despite Pharaoh's genocidal decree to kill all Hebrew male infants, God ensures Moses is not only saved but placed directly into the care of Pharaoh's own daughter. Furthermore, through Miriam's quick thinking and the princess's compassion, Moses is returned to his biological mother for nursing, with the Egyptian royal family unwittingly funding his early development. This intricate orchestration, where every detail aligns to preserve the life of God's chosen leader, highlights God's sovereign control over all circumstances, even using His adversaries to accomplish His will and fulfill His promises.

**What is the significance of Jochebed nursing her own child?**

Answer: The significance of Jochebed nursing her own child is multifaceted and profound. It ensured that Moses received crucial early care, bonding, and instruction from his biological mother, preserving his Hebrew identity and heritage during his most formative years, rather than being immediately assimilated into Egyptian culture from infancy. This period allowed Jochebed to instill in him the values, faith, and stories of his people, preparing him spiritually and culturally for the monumental task of leading Israel out of bondage. It also represents a miraculous reversal of Pharaoh's decree, as the mother who was commanded to abandon her son was now legally and financially empowered to nurture him, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant and His ability to turn sorrow into joy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous preservation of Moses in [Exodus 2:9](/exodus/2-9 "Moses' rescue foreshadowing Christ") serves as a profound Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was divinely protected from Pharaoh's decree of death to become the rescuer of Israel from Egyptian bondage, so too was Jesus protected from Herod's murderous decree against the infants of Bethlehem [Matthew 2:13-18](/matthew/2-13-18 "Herod's slaughter of the innocents and the flight to Egypt") to become the Savior who delivers humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Moses' life, preserved through unexpected means and an ironic twist of fate, points to God's greater plan of salvation, culminating in Christ, who, though greater than Moses in every way [Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1-6 "Jesus greater than Moses"), fulfills the prophetic role of the ultimate deliverer. Through His own life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus provides the ultimate and eternal deliverance for all who believe [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's love and salvation through Jesus Christ"), leading His people not merely out of physical slavery but into spiritual freedom and eternal life.

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.