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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 2:11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/2-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/02_Exo_02_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 2:11 - Moses Kills an Egyptian" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. 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He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his fellow Hebrews and looked at their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his fellow Hebrews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now it happened in those days, that Moses had grown up. And he went out to his brothers and looked on their hard labors. And he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />One day, after Moses had grown [into adulthood], it happened that he went to his countrymen and looked [with compassion] at their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his countrymen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Years later, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Years later, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were hard at work, and he saw an Egyptian beating one of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he saw an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In the course of time Moses grew up. Then he went to [see] his own people and watched them suffering under forced labor. He saw a Hebrew, one of his own people, being beaten by an Egyptian.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his people, the Hebrews, and he saw how they were forced to do hard labor. He even saw an Egyptian kill a Hebrew, one of Moses' own people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Years later, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people, and took notice of their heavy burdens. He saw an Egyptian beating up a Hebrew, one of his own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In those days, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and observed their hard labor, and he saw an Egyptian man attacking a Hebrew man, one of his own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brothers, and looked at their burdens. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In those days, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his brothers and saw their burdens. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it comes to pass, in those days, that Moses is grown, and he goes out to his brothers, and looks on their burdens, and sees a man, an Egyptian, striking a man, a Hebrew, [one] of his brothers,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it cometh to pass, in those days, that Moses is grown, and he goeth out unto his brethren, and looketh on their burdens, and seeth a man, an Egyptian, smiting a man, a Hebrew, one of his brethren,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be in these days, and Moses will become great, and he will go forth to his brethren, and he will see their burdens: and he will see a man, an Egyptian, smiting a man, a Hebrew, from his brethren.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In those days after Moses was grown up, he went out to his brethren: and saw their affliction, and an Egyptian striking one of the Hebrews his brethren. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In those days, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his brothers. And he saw their affliction and an Egyptian man striking a certain one of the Hebrews, his brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />On one occasion, after Moses had grown up, when he had gone out to his kinsmen and witnessed their forced labor, he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his own kinsmen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and saw their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out among his brethren, and saw their oppression; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And it was in those days and Moshe grew and he went out to his brethren and he saw their oppression, and he saw an Egyptian man when he struck a Hebrew man, one of his brethren of the children of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass in that length of time, that Moses having grown, went out to his brethren the sons of Israel: and having noticed their distress, he sees an Egyptian smiting a certain Hebrew of his brethren the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/2-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=253" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/2.htm">Moses Kills an Egyptian</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yā·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">One day,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hā·hêm (Art:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">after Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/1431.htm" title="1431: way·yiḡ·dal (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To grow up, become great. A primitive root; properly, to twist, i.e. To be large.">had grown up,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: way·yê·ṣê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">he went out</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’e·ḥāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">his own people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">and observed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5450.htm" title="5450: bə·siḇ·lō·ṯām (Prep-b:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A burden. From cebel; porterage.">their hard labor.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">He saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4713.htm" title="4713: miṣ·rî (N-proper-ms) -- Inhab. of Eg. From Mitsrayim; a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim.">an Egyptian</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: mak·keh (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">beating</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš- (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5680.htm" title="5680: ‘iḇ·rî (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps desc. of Eber, also another name for an Isr. Patronymic from Eber; an Eberite or descendant of Eber.">a Hebrew,</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: mê·’e·ḥāw (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">one of his own people.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-23.htm">Acts 7:23-24</a></span><br />When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. / And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Hebrews 11:24-25</a></span><br />By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-25.htm">Acts 7:25</a></span><br />He assumed his brothers would understand that God was using him to deliver them, but they did not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11-14</a></span><br />So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. / But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. / They worked the Israelites ruthlessly ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7-10</a></span><br />The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/5-14.htm">Exodus 5:14-16</a></span><br />Then the Israelite foremen, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over the people, were beaten and asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as you did before?” / So the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why are you treating your servants this way? / No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">Exodus 1:8-10</a></span><br />Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11-12</a></span><br />But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/12-3.htm">Numbers 12:3</a></span><br />Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-22.htm">Acts 7:22</a></span><br />So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-18.htm">Exodus 4:18-20</a></span><br />Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied. / Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who sought to kill you are dead.” / So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/18-1.htm">Exodus 18:1-4</a></span><br />Now Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. / After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her, / along with her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-24.htm">Exodus 4:24-26</a></span><br />Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. / But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. / So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/6-5.htm">Exodus 6:5-6</a></span><br />Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered My covenant. / Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-7.htm">Exodus 7:7</a></span><br />Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brothers, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brothers.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-22.htm">Acts 7:22-24</a></b></br> And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Hebrews 11:24-26</a></b></br> By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; … </p><p class="hdg">burdens.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11</a></b></br> Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7</a></b></br> And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which <i>are</i> in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/5-9.htm">Exodus 5:9,14</a></b></br> Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_peter/2-20.htm">Beating</a> <a href="/revelation/10-7.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Burdens</a> <a href="/exodus/1-19.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/genesis/41-48.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/exodus/1-14.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/exodus/2-7.htm">Hebrew</a> <a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Labors</a> <a href="/exodus/2-10.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/genesis/14-17.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-16.htm">Spied</a> <a href="/genesis/4-23.htm">Striking</a> <a href="/genesis/37-11.htm">Watched</a> <a href="/exodus/1-14.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/25-11.htm">Beating</a> <a href="/exodus/5-16.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/exodus/5-4.htm">Burdens</a> <a href="/exodus/2-12.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/exodus/9-32.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/exodus/6-3.htm">Hebrew</a> <a href="/exodus/5-5.htm">Labors</a> <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/numbers/13-21.htm">Spied</a> <a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Striking</a> <a href="/exodus/33-8.htm">Watched</a> <a href="/exodus/5-4.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-1.htm">Moses is born, and placed in a basket in the reeds of Nile.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-5.htm">He is found, and brought up by Pharaoh's daughter;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-7.htm">who employs his mother to nurse him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-11.htm">He kills an Egyptian.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">He reproves a Hebrew.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">He flees into Midian, and marries Zipporah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-22.htm">Gershom is born.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">God respects the Israelites' cry.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>One day, after Moses had grown up</b><br>This phrase marks a significant transition in Moses' life, moving from his upbringing in Pharaoh's palace to his identification with the Hebrew people. Moses was raised as an Egyptian prince, yet he was aware of his Hebrew heritage. This moment signifies his maturity and readiness to embrace his God-given mission. <a href="/acts/7-23.htm">Acts 7:23</a> notes that Moses was about 40 years old at this time, indicating a period of preparation and growth.<p><b>he went out to his own people</b><br>Moses' decision to go out to his people reflects a conscious choice to identify with the Hebrews rather than the Egyptians. This action foreshadows his future role as a leader and deliverer of Israel. <a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Hebrews 11:24-25</a> highlights Moses' faith in choosing to suffer with God's people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.<p><b>and observed their hard labor</b><br>The Hebrews were subjected to harsh slavery under the Egyptians, fulfilling the prophecy given to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13</a>. Moses' observation of their suffering stirs his compassion and sense of justice, setting the stage for his later actions. This moment is pivotal in Moses' life, as it ignites his calling to deliver his people.<p><b>He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew</b><br>This incident reveals the brutal reality of the Hebrews' oppression. The Egyptian taskmasters were known for their cruelty, and this specific act of violence against a Hebrew slave highlights the systemic injustice faced by the Israelites. Moses' reaction to this event is driven by a deep sense of righteousness and foreshadows his role as a defender of his people.<p><b>one of his own people</b><br>The repetition of "his own people" emphasizes Moses' identification with the Hebrews. Despite his Egyptian upbringing, Moses' heart is aligned with the plight of the Israelites. This connection is crucial for his future leadership, as it demonstrates his solidarity and commitment to his people. Moses' actions here prefigure Christ, who also identified with humanity and came to deliver His people from bondage.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>Raised in Pharaoh's palace, Moses is a Hebrew by birth. At this point in the account, he is an adult who becomes aware of his people's suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/hebrews.htm">Hebrews</a></b><br>The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are living in Egypt under harsh slavery.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egyptian.htm">Egyptian</a></b><br>Represents the oppressive regime of Egypt, which is subjugating the Hebrews.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites are enslaved, a place of both refuge and oppression for the Hebrews.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/event.htm">Event</a></b><br>Moses witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, which stirs his sense of justice and identity with his people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_and_calling.htm">Identity and Calling</a></b><br>Moses' actions reflect a growing awareness of his identity and calling. As Christians, we are called to recognize our identity in Christ and respond to His calling in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_compassion.htm">Justice and Compassion</a></b><br>Moses' reaction to the injustice he witnessed challenges us to respond to the suffering and oppression around us with compassion and a desire for justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_to_act.htm">Courage to Act</a></b><br>Moses' decision to intervene, despite the risks, encourages believers to act courageously in the face of injustice, trusting in God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_preparation.htm">God's Preparation</a></b><br>This event marks the beginning of Moses' journey as a leader. God often uses our experiences to prepare us for future roles in His plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_timing.htm">Understanding God's Timing</a></b><br>Moses' initial attempt to deliver his people was premature. It reminds us to seek God's timing and wisdom in our actions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_egyptian_princes_commit_murder_unnoticed.htm">Exodus 2:11–12 – Is there any record or indication in Egyptian history that an adopted prince could commit murder and remain largely unnoticed by Pharaoh? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_moses'_name_hebrew,_not_egyptian.htm">Why does Moses' Egyptian name ('drawn out') suggest a later Hebrew etymology rather than an authentic Egyptian origin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_jannes_and_jambres.htm">Who were Jannes and Jambres in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_moses'_wife,_zipporah.htm">Who was Zipporah, Moses' wife, in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">In those days.</span>--Notes of time are used with considerable latitude by the sacred writers. (Comp. Genesis 38; <a href="/2_kings/20-1.htm" title="In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus said the LORD, Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not live.">2Kings 20:1</a>.) According to the tradition followed by St. Stephen (<a href="/acts/7-23.htm" title="And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers the children of Israel.">Acts 7:23</a>), Moses was "full forty years old "when he took the step here indicated. We might have expected him to have come forward sooner; but there may have been difficulties in his so doing. It is remarkable that he does not tell us anything of his life during youth or early manhood. Later tradition was full of details (Stanley, <span class= "ital">Lectures on the Jewish Church, </span>pp. 107-9), which, however, are worthless.<p><span class= "bld">He went out unto his brethren.</span>--It is probable that Pharaoh's daughter had never concealed from Moses that he was not her own child, but one of the oppressed race. She may even have allowed him to hold communication with his family. It is not, however, a mere visit that is here spoken of, but a complete withdrawal from the palace, and renunciation of his position at the court. "By faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (<a href="/context/hebrews/11-24.htm" title="By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;">Hebrews 11:24-25</a>). It is the first sign of that strong sympathy and tender affection for his people which characterises him throughout the narrative, and culminates in the pathetic cry, "Forgive them; and if not, blot me out of thy book" (<a href="/exodus/32-32.htm" title="Yet now, if you will forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray you, out of your book which you have written.">Exodus 32:32</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Looked on their burthens</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>examined into their condition, watched their treatment, made himself acquainted with it by personal inspection.<p><span class= "bld">He spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew.</span>--Probably a taskmaster chastising one of the labourers, whom he accused of idling. St. Stephen regards the act as one of "oppression" and "wrong-doing" (<a href="/acts/7-24.htm" title="And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:">Acts 7:24</a>). Moses must certainly have viewed it in this light, or he would not have been so moved to indignation as to kill the Egyptian. Though not a cruel nation, the Egyptians, no doubt, like other slave-drivers, occasionally abused their power, and treated the unfortunate labourers with cruelty. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 11-15.</span> - FIRST ATTEMPT OF MOSES TO DELIVER HIS NATION, AND ITS FAILURE. After Moses was grown up - according to the tradition accepted by St. Stephen (<a href="/acts/7-23.htm">Acts 7:23</a>), when he was "full forty years old" - having become by some means or other acquainted with the circumstances of his birth, which had most probably never been concealed from him, he determined to "go out" to his brethren, see with his own eyes what their treatment was, and do his best to alleviate it. He had as yet no Divine mission, no command from God to act as he did, but only a natural sympathy with his people, and a feeling perhaps that in his position he was bound, more than any one else, to make some efforts to ameliorate what must have been generally known to be a hard lot. It is scarcely likely that he had formed any definite plans. How he should act would depend on what he should see. Thus far, his conduct deserves nothing but praise. It only perhaps a little surprises us (if St. Stephen's tradition accords with fact) that he did not earlier in his life take some steps in the direction here indicated. We are bound to recollect, however, that we know very little of the restraints under which he would have been laid - whether a severe law of etiquette, or the commands of his benefactress, may not have hampered him, and caused the long delay which strikes us as strange. Living with the court - in Tunis probably - he would have been required to make a strong effort - to break through an established routine, and strike out for himself a new and unheard-of course, if he quitted the princess's household to make a tour of inspection among the enslaved Hebrews. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews seems to consider that his act in "going out" to "look upon the burdens" of his people involved a renunciation of his court life - a refusal to be called any more the son of Pharaoh's daughter (Hebrews 11:240; a casting-in of his lot with his brethren, so as thenceforth to be a sharer in their afflictions (<span class="accented">ib. ver.</span> 24). If this were so, we can well understand a long period of hesitation before the resolve was made to take the course from which there was no retreating. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When Moses was grown</span>. "When he had become a mall of vigour and intelligence" (Kalisch). He went out. The expression is emphatic, and accords with the view above exhibited - that a complete change in the life of Moses was now effected, that the court was quitted, with its attractions and its temptations, its riches and its pleasures; and the position of adopted child of a princess forfeited<span class="cmt_word">. He spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew</span>. It is not certain that this was one of the "taskmasters" (<a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11</a>); but most probably he was either a taskmaster, or one of the officers employed by them. Such persons are on the Egyptian monuments represented as armed with long rods, said to be "made of a tough pliant wood imported from Syria" (Chabas, 'Voyage d'un Egyptien,' p. 119). It was their right to employ their rods on the backs of the idle, a right which was sure to degenerate in many cases into tyrannous and cruel oppression. We may assume that it was an instance of such abuse of power that excited the anger of Moses; "seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was <span class="accented">oppressed"</span> (<a href="/acts/7-24.htm">Acts 7:24</a>). For a light fault, or no fault at all, a heavy chastisement was being inflicted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/2-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">One day,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיָּמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">after Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁה֙</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had grown up,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּגְדַּ֤ל</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḡ·dal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1431.htm">Strong's 1431: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grow up, become great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he went out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּצֵ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his own people</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḥāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and observed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֖רְא</span> <span class="translit">(way·yar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their hard labor.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּסִבְלֹתָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·siḇ·lō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5450.htm">Strong's 5450: </a> </span><span class="str2">Porterage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּרְא֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an Egyptian</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְרִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4713.htm">Strong's 4713: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">beating</span><br /><span class="heb">מַכֶּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(mak·keh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a Hebrew,</span><br /><span class="heb">עִבְרִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(‘iḇ·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5680.htm">Strong's 5680: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hebrews -- perhaps descendant of Eber, also another name for an Israelite</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one of his own people.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֶחָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’e·ḥāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/2-11.htm">OT Law: Exodus 2:11 It happened in those days when Moses (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/2-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 2:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 2:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/2-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 2:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 2:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>