Exodus 2 1

Exodus 2:1 kjv

And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

Exodus 2:1 nkjv

And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi.

Exodus 2:1 niv

Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman,

Exodus 2:1 esv

Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman.

Exodus 2:1 nlt

About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married.

Exodus 2 verses

Exodus 2 1 Meaning

Exodus 2:1 introduces the parents of Moses as being from the tribe of Levi. This verse details their marriage, laying the tribal and familial foundation for the birth of Israel's deliverer. The emphasis on both parents being Levites highlights the purity of his lineage within the priestly tribe, which would become central to Israel's worship and covenant relationship with God. It signals the beginning of God's direct intervention to preserve His people and fulfill His promises, orchestrating events through a seemingly ordinary marital union amidst intense persecution.

Exodus 2 1 Context

Exodus 2:1 opens after the grim backdrop of chapter 1, where Pharaoh, fearing the Israelites' growth, brutally enslaved them and issued a decree to kill all newborn Hebrew male infants by casting them into the Nile. In this context of national crisis and genocide, the anonymous mention of a "man of the house of Levi" and his Levite wife serves as an initial flicker of hope and a silent act of defiance against Pharaoh's edict. The verse focuses not on names yet, but on their tribal affiliation, which foreshadows their descendant Moses' vital role as Israel's deliverer and the Levites' subsequent unique role in Israel's history as keepers of the law and priests. This seemingly ordinary marriage becomes the crucible for the next great redemptive act in God's plan for His people.

Exodus 2 1 Word analysis

• And there went (וַיֵּלֶךְ, wayyelekh): The waw consecutive imperfect denotes sequential action, connecting this event directly to the preceding narrative of Pharaoh's oppression. It signifies a purposeful movement, not merely random wandering, often implying an intentional act taken in response to circumstances or divine leading, though unspoken here. This initial anonymity highlights God's sovereignty over the seemingly mundane actions of individuals.
• a man (אִישׁ, 'ish): The generic masculine term focuses on his status as a person, deferring his specific identity for later. At this point, his tribal affiliation is paramount over his name, signifying the larger family/tribal identity.
• of the house of Levi (לְבֵית לֵוִי, lĕvêt Lêwî): "House of Levi" emphatically states his tribal origin. The tribe of Levi, descendants of Jacob's third son, would later be set apart by God for priestly and tabernacle service. Their significant role in covenant keeping underscores the importance of Moses' lineage for future Israelite worship. The immediate identification of tribe establishes the groundwork for understanding the later unique call of this family line.
• and took to wife (וַיִּקַּח, wayyiqqah): A common Hebrew idiom for entering into marriage. It signifies a legitimate and formal union, highlighting the conventional start of a family unit that God would use. This underscores that God works through normal human institutions, not just miraculous interventions.
• a daughter of Levi (בַּת לֵוִי, bat Lêwî): Reiterates the Levitical lineage of the wife. This dual Levite identity for both parents is emphasized, establishing a pure lineage for Moses within the tribe designated for service. The repetition ensures this foundational fact is clear.

Exodus 2 1 Bonus section

The delayed naming of Moses' parents (Amram and Jochebed) until Exodus 6:20 highlights a recurring biblical pattern where individuals' names and specific details are revealed precisely when their lineage or personal contribution becomes directly relevant to the broader narrative of God's unfolding plan. For Exodus 2:1, the immediate tribal identity ("of the house of Levi," "a daughter of Levi") takes precedence, underscoring the theological significance of their heritage as precursors to Moses' later role in the establishment of the Levitical priesthood. This also implies that God's work often begins quietly, through nameless individuals performing ordinary acts of faithfulness, before His grander designs become visible. It subtly hints at the sovereignty of God working through humble means, valuing their covenant lineage above immediate personal renown.

Exodus 2 1 Commentary

Exodus 2:1, though brief and initially anonymous, is profoundly significant as it marks the hidden commencement of God's redemptive strategy for Israel. In an era where human life was devalued under Pharaoh's decree, God orchestrated a foundational act: a legitimate marriage within the tribe of Levi. This anonymity of Moses' parents at first highlights God's sovereign control; His plans unfold not necessarily through named heroes but often through ordinary people faithfully living their lives. The repeated emphasis on their Levitical lineage (a man of Levi, a daughter of Levi) subtly points to the future significance of this tribe, particularly for the priesthood and Israel's covenant life, even before that calling is fully revealed. This verse quietly but powerfully asserts God's ability to preserve His chosen line and initiate His deliverer's story in the most unlikely and oppressive circumstances, establishing a foundational family from which great deliverance would arise. It demonstrates God's providence active in domestic settings amidst national crisis.