Exodus 2 12

Exodus 2:12 kjv

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.

Exodus 2:12 nkjv

So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Exodus 2:12 niv

Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Exodus 2:12 esv

He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Exodus 2:12 nlt

After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.

Exodus 2 verses

Exodus 2 12 Meaning

Exodus 2:12 describes Moses' initial attempt to deliver his oppressed Hebrew brethren: driven by a keen awareness of their suffering, he looked carefully to ensure no witnesses were present, then acted decisively to kill an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, subsequently hiding the body. This impulsive act reveals his intense solidarity with his people and his fervent, though misguided, desire for justice, yet demonstrates a reliance on human strength, fear of discovery, and a premature, unsanctioned effort at deliverance, lacking divine guidance.

Exodus 2 12 Context

This verse immediately follows Moses witnessing the brutal oppression of his Hebrew kinsmen (Exod 2:11). Having been raised in Pharaoh's royal household (Exod 2:1-10), Moses, at this point described as "grown" (likely around 40 years old, as per Acts 7:23), consciously steps out to identify with his own people. This act of slaying an Egyptian oppressor represents Moses' first recorded, significant intervention on behalf of the Israelites, preceding God's divine call to him at the burning bush in Midian. Historically, this occurs during a period of intense suffering for the Israelites under Egyptian slavery, prior to the Lord's full intervention and the Exodus event itself.

Exodus 2 12 Word analysis

• And he looked: Transliteration: Vayyifen (וַיִּפֶן). Hebrew verb, means "to turn" or "to look intently." It highlights Moses' active observation and careful assessment of the situation from a human perspective.
• this way and that way: Transliteration: koh vakhōh (כֹּה וָכֹה). This idiomatic phrase emphasizes Moses' careful and cautious surveillance of his surroundings. It signifies a concern for human witnesses or discovery, suggesting a focus on avoiding worldly repercussions rather than seeking divine approval.
• and when he saw: Transliteration: vayyar (וַיַּר). Simple Hebrew verb for "and he saw." It implies direct visual confirmation as the basis for his subsequent action.
• that there was no man: Transliteration: ein ish (אֵין אִישׁ). This critical detail underscores Moses' motivation for secrecy and his fear of human accountability. He did not seek God's presence or guidance, but merely the absence of human witnesses.
• he slew: Transliteration: vayyak (וַיַּךְ). From the Hebrew root `נָכָה` (nakah), meaning to strike, smite, or kill. This term denotes a forceful and decisive fatal blow, indicating an intentional act resulting in death, not just an injury.
• the Egyptian: Transliteration: et-hammitsri (אֶת־הַמִּצְרִי). Refers to the man identified in the preceding verse (Exod 2:11) as beating a Hebrew. He represents the oppressive authority Moses was reacting against.
• and hid him: Transliteration: vayyitmenehu (וַיִּטְמְנֵהוּ). From the Hebrew root `טָמַן` (taman), meaning "to hide" or "to conceal." This action signifies Moses' attempt to cover up his deed, reflecting guilt, fear, and a desire to escape consequences.
• in the sand: Transliteration: bakhōl (בַּחוֹל). "In the sand" was a common and convenient means of concealment in that environment. This practical hiding place further emphasizes Moses' immediate, human solution to the problem created by his violent act.

• "looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man": This phrase set signifies Moses' assessment for human accountability rather than divine sanction. It highlights his reliance on human perception and strategic planning for his personal safety, contrasting with a faithful trust in God's sovereign watch. This impulsive vigilance underscores a significant flaw in his early leadership, demonstrating that he was acting independently of God's revealed timing or method.
• "he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand": This sequence details a reactive act of zealous vigilante justice, followed immediately by an act of concealment driven by fear. It represents Moses attempting to solve a major problem—Israel's oppression—through personal force and cover-up, methods directly contrary to God's ultimate plan, which involved divine power and public, miraculous deliverance, not human violence and secrecy.

Exodus 2 12 Bonus section

Moses' action in Exodus 2:12 highlights a key theological contrast: human self-reliance versus divine empowerment. Before God’s explicit call and empowerment at the burning bush, Moses attempts deliverance by his own hand, with methods learned (or assumed) from Egyptian culture, which would have valued power and swift retribution. This episode demonstrates that great zeal must be tempered by divine wisdom and timing. It also serves as a pedagogical event in Moses' life, preparing him through failure and subsequent discipline for the rigorous journey of true leadership guided by God. His forced exile after this event can be viewed as God's preparatory "wilderness school" for him. The narrative implicitly argues against human systems of justice and power as sufficient means for true liberation, setting the stage for God's overwhelming display of power in the Exodus.

Exodus 2 12 Commentary

Exodus 2:12 encapsulates a critical turning point in Moses' life and development. Though rooted in a righteous indignation against injustice and a profound identification with his suffering kinsmen, his action here was impulsive, unauthorized, and driven by human fear and strength. Moses acted as a self-appointed deliverer, calculating human oversight but neglecting divine presence. This premature and sinful act of murder necessitated his flight to Midian, where he would spend 40 years being humbled and prepared by God for the true divine commission. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that God does not require human sin or shortcut methods to accomplish His perfect will. It underscores the distinction between human zeal and divine purpose, illustrating that God often allows His chosen instruments to fail and be refined, demonstrating that salvation comes "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit."