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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 2:12 After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/2-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/02_Exo_02_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 2:12 - Moses Kills an Egyptian" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand." /><script type="application/javascript" 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href="/bsb/exodus/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that <i>there was</i> no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he looked this way and that, and when he saw that there was no one <i>around,</i> he struck and killed the Egyptian, and hid his body in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one <i>around,</i> he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So he turned this way and that, and he saw that there was no one <i>around</i>. So he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He turned to look around, and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Looking all around and seeing no one, he struck the Egyptian dead and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Looking all around and seeing no one, he struck the Egyptian dead and hid him in the sand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Moses looked around to see if anyone was watching, then he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He looked all around, and when he didn't see anyone, he beat the Egyptian to death and hid the body in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Moses looked all around, and when he saw that no one was watching, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Looking around and seeing no one else, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He looked this way and that and saw that no one was there, and then he attacked the Egyptian and concealed the body in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one, he killed the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one, he killed the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he turns here and there, and sees that there is no man, and strikes the Egyptian, and hides him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he turneth hither and thither, and seeth that there is no man, and smiteth the Egyptian, and hideth him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will turn hither and thither, and will see that there is no man, and he will smite the Egyptian, and hide him in the sand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when he had looked about this way and that way, and saw no one there, he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when he had looked around this way and that, and had seen no one nearby, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Looking about and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man watching, he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he turned here and there and he saw that there was no man, and he killed the Egyptian, and he buried him in the sand.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And having looked round this way and that way, he sees no one; and he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/2-12.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=265" 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>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="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6437.htm" title="6437: way·yi·p̄en (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To turn. A primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. Appear, look, etc.">After looking</a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">this way</a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: wā·ḵōh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">and that</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 seeing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">no</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.">one,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yaḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">he struck down</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4713.htm" title="4713: ham·miṣ·rî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Inhab. of Eg. From Mitsrayim; a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim.">the Egyptian</a> <a href="/hebrew/2934.htm" title="2934: way·yiṭ·mə·nê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To hide, conceal. A primitive root; to hide.">and hid his body</a> <a href="/hebrew/2344.htm" title="2344: ba·ḥō·wl (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Sand. From chuwl; sand.">in the sand.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your companion?”…<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/7-24.htm">Acts 7:24-28</a></span><br />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. / He assumed his brothers would understand that God was using him to deliver them, but they did not. / The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Hebrews 11:24-27</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. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Numbers 20:11-12</a></span><br />Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink. / But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-35.htm">Acts 7:35</a></span><br />This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-12.htm">Genesis 12:12-13</a></span><br />and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. / Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Genesis 37:18-20</a></span><br />Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">2 Samuel 11:14-15</a></span><br />The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. / In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8-10</a></span><br />Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. / And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” / “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-4.htm">1 Samuel 24:4-7</a></span><br />So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. / So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">1 Kings 2:28-31</a></span><br />When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Matthew 26:52</a></span><br />“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-2.htm">Luke 12:2-3</a></span><br />There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. / What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Proverbs 28:17</a></span><br />A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.</p><p class="hdg">he looked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-24.htm">Acts 7:24-26</a></b></br> And seeing one <i>of them</i> suffer wrong, he defended <i>him</i>, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: … </p><p class="hdg">slew.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/1-5.htm">Body</a> <a href="/genesis/49-11.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/exodus/1-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/2-11.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Glancing</a> <a href="/exodus/2-2.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/exodus/2-2.htm">Hideth</a> <a href="/genesis/45-13.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-49.htm">Sand</a> <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/genesis/14-15.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/genesis/36-35.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/genesis/36-35.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/genesis/42-2.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/genesis/50-14.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/genesis/42-28.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/genesis/49-33.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/13-12.htm">Body</a> <a href="/exodus/14-28.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Glancing</a> <a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Hideth</a> <a href="/exodus/3-5.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-30.htm">Sand</a> <a href="/exodus/12-27.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/exodus/7-20.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/exodus/7-20.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/exodus/10-26.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/exodus/2-25.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/exodus/4-20.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/exodus/3-9.htm">Way</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>After looking this way and that and seeing no one</b><br>Moses' actions here indicate a premeditated decision. The phrase suggests caution and a desire for secrecy, highlighting Moses' awareness of the potential consequences of his actions. This moment reflects the tension between his Hebrew identity and his Egyptian upbringing. The act of looking around suggests a moment of internal conflict and decision-making, which is a recurring theme in Moses' life. This phrase also foreshadows Moses' future role as a leader who must make difficult decisions, often in isolation.<p><b>he struck down the Egyptian</b><br>This act of violence is significant as it marks Moses' first recorded action in defense of his Hebrew brethren. It demonstrates his identification with the Israelites and his rejection of Egyptian oppression. The act of striking down the Egyptian can be seen as a precursor to the plagues and judgments that God would later bring upon Egypt. It also reflects the theme of deliverance, as Moses begins to act as a deliverer, albeit prematurely and through his own strength rather than God's guidance.<p><b>and hid his body in the sand</b><br>The act of hiding the body suggests Moses' awareness of the gravity of his actions and his attempt to conceal them. This reflects the human tendency to cover up sin and wrongdoing, a theme that is prevalent throughout Scripture. The sand of Egypt, a land known for its deserts, serves as a temporary cover, symbolizing the futility of hiding sin from God. This action foreshadows Moses' later flight to Midian, as his attempt to hide the murder ultimately fails. It also connects to the broader biblical narrative of sin and redemption, as Moses' journey from this point leads him to become the leader God uses to deliver His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>A Hebrew by birth, raised in Pharaoh's household, who becomes a central figure in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. At this point in the account, Moses is beginning to identify with his Hebrew heritage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/egyptian.htm">Egyptian</a></b><br>An unnamed taskmaster who was beating a Hebrew slave, prompting Moses to intervene.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/hebrew_slave.htm">Hebrew Slave</a></b><br>The oppressed individual whom Moses sought to defend, representing the broader suffering of the Israelites in Egypt.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites were enslaved, and where Moses was raised. It serves as the backdrop for Moses' early life and the initial acts of deliverance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sand.htm">The Sand</a></b><br>The place where Moses hid the body of the Egyptian, symbolizing his attempt to cover up his actions and the beginning of his journey into exile.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_anger_vs._sinful_action.htm">Righteous Anger vs. Sinful Action</a></b><br>Moses' anger at the injustice he witnessed was righteous, but his method of dealing with it was not. Believers must discern how to respond to injustice in a way that aligns with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_impulsive_decisions.htm">The Consequences of Impulsive Decisions</a></b><br>Moses' decision to kill the Egyptian led to significant consequences, including his flight from Egypt. This teaches the importance of seeking God's guidance before acting.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_our_failures.htm">God's Sovereignty in Our Failures</a></b><br>Despite Moses' failure, God used this event to begin shaping him into the leader he would become. Our mistakes do not thwart God's plans; He can redeem them for His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_and_calling.htm">Identity and Calling</a></b><br>Moses' actions reflect his emerging identity as a deliverer of his people. Believers are encouraged to seek and embrace their God-given identity and calling.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_hiddenness_of_sin.htm">The Hiddenness of Sin</a></b><br>Moses attempted to hide his sin by burying the Egyptian in the sand. This illustrates the futility of trying to conceal sin from God, who sees all.<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/how_could_moses_vanish_and_reappear_in_midian.htm">Exodus 2:15 – How realistically could Moses escape from Pharaoh’s reach and suddenly reappear in Midian without leaving any trace in Egyptian historical accounts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_paul_mean_by_'chief_sinner'.htm">What did Paul mean by "chief of sinners"?</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/evidence_for_egyptian_firstborn_deaths.htm">Psalm 135:8 mentions the death of all Egyptian firstborn--what historical or archaeological evidence supports or challenges this widespread event?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">He looked this way and that way.</span>--To see that no one observed him.<p><span class= "bld">He slew the Egyptian.</span>--Jewish commentators gloss over the act, or even eulogise it as patriotic and heroical. But it was clearly the deed of a hasty and undisciplined spirit. The offence did not deserve death, and if it had, Moses had neither legal office nor Divine call, justifying him in making himself an executioner. The result was, that, by his one wrong act, Moses put it out of his power to do anything towards alleviating the sufferings of his brethren for forty years.<p><span class= "bld">Hid him in the sand.</span>--To the east of the Delta the sand creeps up close to the cultivated grounds. There are even patches of it within the Delta itself. Moses naturally remembered that he dug the grave "in the sand." Any other writer would probably have said "in the ground."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He looked this way and that way</span>. Passion did not so move him as to make him reckless. He looked round to see that he was not observed,, and then, <span class="cmt_word">when he saw there was no man, slew the Egyptian</span>. A wrongful act, the outcome of an ardent but undisciplined spirit; not to be placed among the deeds "which history records as noble and magnanimous (Kalisch), but among those which are hasty and regrettable. A warm sympathetic nature, an indignant hatred of wrong-doing, may have lain at the root of the crime, but do not justify it, though they may qualify our condemnation of it. (See the remarks of St. Augustine quoted by Keil and Delitzsch, 'Commentary on the Pentateuch,' vol. 1. p. 451: "I affirm that the man, though criminal and really the offender, ought not to have been put to death by one who had no legal authority to do so. But minds that are capable of virtue often produce vices also, and show thereby for what virtue they would have been best adapted, if they had but been properely trained," etc.) <span class="cmt_word">And hid him in the sand</span>. There is abundant "sand" in the "field of Zoan," and in all the more eastern portion of the land of Goshen. (See the 'Quarterly Statement of the Palestine Exploration Fund' for July, 1880, p. 140.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/2-12.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">After looking</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֤פֶן</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·p̄en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6437.htm">Strong's 6437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn, to face, appear, look</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all around</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(kōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like this, thus, here, now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and seeing</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">no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one,</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֑ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he struck down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person 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">the Egyptian</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּצְרִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miṣ·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | 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">and hid his body</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṭ·mə·nê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2934.htm">Strong's 2934: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, conceal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the sand.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחֽוֹל׃</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2344.htm">Strong's 2344: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sand</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/2-12.htm">Exodus 2:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/2-12.htm">OT Law: Exodus 2:12 He looked this way and that way (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/2-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 2:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 2:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/2-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 2:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 2:13" /></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>