And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
Read it in contextThe Birth and Early Life of Moses
Start reading at Exodus 2:1 (Exodus 2:1 to Exodus 2:25).
This unit introduces Moses, his miraculous preservation, and his initial actions before his call by God.
2:1And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
2:2And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
2:3And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
2:4And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
2:5And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
2:6And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.
2:7Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
2:8And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.
2:9And 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.
2:10And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
2:11And 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.
2:12And 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.
2:13And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?
2:14And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.
2:15Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
2:16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
2:17And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
2:18And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
2:19And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
2:20And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
2:21And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
2:22And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
2:23And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
2:24And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
2:25And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. Exodus explicitly records him writing covenant words and other material; that supports his central role without identifying every stage in the book's final compilation. Biblical references: Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4; Exodus 34:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Exodus 2:1–2:25): Moses, his mother and sister, Pharaoh's daughter, and later Reuel's family in Midian are involved in Moses' early life and flight. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Israelites delivered from Egypt, and succeeding generations of Israel who were to remember the deliverance and keep the covenant. Biblical references: Exodus 12:24; Exodus 12:26; Exodus 24:7. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event is the marriage of two Levites, which sets the stage for the birth of Moses, the future deliverer of Israel.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His providential care for His people by preparing a deliverer, Moses, even while they are in bondage, demonstrating that He hears their groaning and remembers His covenant.
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book of Exodus was written c. 1440 to 1400 B.C.
When does the event take place? The event described in this verse takes place c. 1500 to 1440 B.C.
Where
Where did it happen? The events described in this passage, including the birth of Moses, happened in Egypt.
Where was the author located? The author, Moses, was located in the Wilderness of Sinai when he wrote the book of Exodus.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Birth and Early Life of Moses (Exodus 2:1 to Exodus 2:25).
Start reading at Exodus 2:1. This unit introduces Moses, his miraculous preservation, and his initial actions before his call by God.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse begins the narrative of Moses' birth, setting the stage for his miraculous preservation and his eventual role as the leader who will deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, fulfilling God's covenant promises. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? Moses, whose birth is introduced here, foreshadows Christ as a deliverer of God's people. Just as Moses was preserved from death as an infant and raised in a hostile environment to save Israel, so Christ was preserved from Herod's decree and grew to deliver His people from sin. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage shows that God works providentially through ordinary circumstances and individuals to accomplish His divine purposes, even when circumstances seem dire. Believers can trust in God's unseen hand guiding events. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Exodus 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Israel's bondage and God's commission to Moses establish the need for deliverance and introduce the confrontation with Pharaoh.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Israel's bondage and God's commission to Moses establish the need for deliverance and introduce the confrontation with Pharaoh.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Exodus
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeIsrael's idolatry interrupts the sanctuary instructions. Moses intercedes, and renewed covenant words prepare the people to carry out the work.
Connection to the wholeThe people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.