Exodus 2:21 kjv
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
Exodus 2:21 nkjv
Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.
Exodus 2:21 niv
Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.
Exodus 2:21 esv
And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah.
Exodus 2:21 nlt
Moses accepted the invitation, and he settled there with him. In time, Reuel gave Moses his daughter Zipporah to be his wife.
Exodus 2 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:24 | "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife..." | Foundation of marriage |
| Gen 24:67 | "Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah..." | Marrying and finding comfort |
| Gen 29:18-28 | Jacob working for wives Rachel and Leah. | Obtaining a wife |
| Prov 18:22 | "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." | Finding a spouse as a blessing |
| Ruth 4:13 | "So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife..." | Consummation of marriage |
| 1 Cor 7:2 | "...each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband." | Marital order |
| Col 3:19 | "Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." | Marital duty and love |
| Exod 3:1 | "Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro..." | Moses' shepherd role and call |
| Exod 4:18 | "Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said..." | Moses' respectful relationship with Jethro |
| Exod 18:1 | "Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard..." | Jethro's identity as father-in-law |
| Exod 18:13-26 | Jethro advises Moses on judicial matters. | Wise counsel from a family elder |
| Num 12:3 | "Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all people..." | Moses' character developed in solitude |
| Acts 7:29-30 | "Moses fled and lived as an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. " | Moses' flight and forty years in Midian |
| Heb 11:24-27 | "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter..." | Moses choosing God's people |
| Ps 37:23 | "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord..." | Divine guidance and purpose |
| Prov 16:9 | "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." | God's sovereignty in life's direction |
| Isa 48:17 | "...I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your profit..." | God's teaching and leading |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." | God's providence in all circumstances |
| Gen 19:1-8 | Lot offering hospitality to angels. | Importance of hospitality |
| Rom 12:13 | "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." | Encouragement to practice hospitality |
| Heb 13:2 | "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | Blessings of hospitality |
| Matt 25:35 | "'I was a stranger and you welcomed me...'" | Christ's teaching on welcoming strangers |
Exodus 2 verses
Exodus 2 21 Meaning
Exodus chapter 2 verse 21 details Moses' settling in Midian and his subsequent marriage. It states that Moses found it good and willingly consented to dwell with the man, Reuel (Jethro), who, in turn, gave his daughter, Zipporah, to Moses as his wife. This verse marks a crucial transition for Moses, shifting him from a life as a fugitive into a settled family life, setting the stage for his decades of preparation in the wilderness before his divine calling.
Exodus 2 21 Context
Exodus chapter 2 narrates the early life of Moses, from his birth and miraculous preservation in the Nile to his upbringing in Pharaoh's palace. After he witnesses an Egyptian striking a Hebrew and kills the Egyptian, Moses flees from Pharaoh's wrath. He escapes to the land of Midian, a desert region east of the Gulf of Aqaba. Verse 21 occurs after Moses intervenes to protect Reuel's daughters at a well, showcasing his righteous character and willingness to defend the weak, despite his fugitive status. This act of kindness leads to his welcome into Reuel's home and the subsequent offer of Zipporah in marriage, thereby establishing a new phase of his life outside of Egypt, characterized by family, simplicity, and pastoral work in the wilderness. This forty-year period was critical for shaping him into the humble leader God would later call.
Exodus 2 21 Word analysis
- And Moses (וַיּוֹאֶל מֹשֶׁה – vaYYo'el Mosheh): This phrasing sets the subject, Moses, at the forefront of the action, emphasizing his personal volition in this life-altering decision.
- was content (וַיּוֹאֶל – vaYYo'el): Derived from the Hebrew root יאל (ya'al), this verb implies more than passive acceptance. It means "to consent," "to be pleased," "to agree willingly," "to determine," or "to resolve." Moses was not coerced; he actively chose and found it agreeable to establish himself with Reuel. This suggests a settled conviction and a willingness to embrace his new life, marking a psychological and spiritual shift from his previous turmoil.
- to dwell (לָשֶׁבֶת – laSHevet): From the root ישב (yashav), meaning "to sit," "to reside," "to settle," or "to remain." It signifies a longer-term residence, indicating that Moses was not just passing through but intending to establish his life in this new home. This move from a nomadic refugee to a settled dweller is profound.
- with the man (אֶת־הָאִישׁ – 'et-ha'ish): This refers to Reuel, also known as Jethro (Exod 3:1). He is the patriarch and priest of Midian, signifying the new family and cultural environment Moses was integrating into. His identity as a priest suggests a certain spiritual awareness, distinct from the polytheism of Egypt.
- and he gave (וַיִּתֵּן – vaYYitten): From the Hebrew root נתן (natan), "to give." This is a straightforward statement of Jethro's action, demonstrating his generous hospitality and the solidification of the relationship through marriage. This gift solidified Moses' place in the family.
- Moses (לְמֹשֶׁה – l'Mosheh): The direct recipient of Jethro's daughter. This confirms the new covenant formed between Moses and Jethro through marriage.
- Zipporah his daughter (אֶת־צִפּוֹרָה בִתּוֹ – 'et-Tzipporah bitto): "Zipporah" (meaning "bird" or "little bird") is specifically named, marking the introduction of Moses' wife into the biblical narrative. Her inclusion highlights the personal aspect of this divine arrangement, which would play a vital, though often understated, role in Moses' journey, including the crucial moment in Exodus 4 regarding circumcision.
Exodus 2 21 Bonus section
The seemingly simple phrase "was content to dwell" implies more than mere comfort; it indicates a deep satisfaction and willingness to root himself in this new environment. This was crucial for the wilderness training Moses was about to undergo for forty years. Living among the Midianites, who were descendants of Abraham through Keturah, exposed Moses to a different cultural and possibly spiritual context than that of Egypt, even though they were not worshipping the God of Israel directly. Jethro, as a "priest of Midian," suggests a spiritual dimension to Moses' new home, possibly influencing his understanding of priestly functions that would later be established for Israel. This integration into Jethro's family, including his eventual marriage to Zipporah, highlights the importance of stable family structures in God's broader plan for individuals, providing a foundation from which divine purposes can emerge (Gen 2:24). This period taught Moses patience, humility, and the skills of shepherding—qualities directly transferable to leading the "flock" of Israel.
Exodus 2 21 Commentary
Exodus 2:21 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Moses' journey from Egyptian prince to a humble shepherd, essential for his future leadership of Israel. His decision to be "content to dwell" with Reuel in Midian underscores a conscious, settled choice to accept a simpler life, finding peace and stability away from the turmoil of Egypt. This forty-year period of obscurity and shepherd training was divinely orchestrated, shaping Moses' character, humility, and dependence on God (Num 12:3; Acts 7:29-30). Jethro's act of giving Zipporah to Moses was a customary act of hospitality and alliance in ancient Near Eastern culture, establishing Moses as a full member of the family and community. This quiet, formative period provided the necessary solitude for Moses to divest himself of his Egyptian identity and princely ambitions, replacing them with patience, endurance, and deep communion with God, preparing him for the immense responsibility of leading a nation out of bondage.