Exodus 2 9

Exodus 2:9 kjv

And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and nursed it.

Exodus 2:9 nkjv

Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him.

Exodus 2:9 niv

Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you." So the woman took the baby and nursed him.

Exodus 2:9 esv

And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him.

Exodus 2:9 nlt

"Take this baby and nurse him for me," the princess told the baby's mother. "I will pay you for your help." So the woman took her baby home and nursed him.

Exodus 2 verses

Exodus 2 9 Meaning

Exodus 2:9 narrates the pivotal moment when Pharaoh’s daughter instructs Moses’s own mother (Jochebed) to nurse the infant, promising her wages. This verse signifies God's direct, providential intervention to preserve Moses's life and ensure his upbringing within his own family while paradoxically in Pharaoh's household. It's a display of divine irony where Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants is thwarted by his own daughter, who ends up paying for the life and care of the very deliverer of Israel.

Exodus 2 9 Context

Exodus chapter 2 begins by narrating the birth of Moses under the dire circumstances of Pharaoh’s decree to drown all Hebrew male infants (Exod 1:22). Moses’s parents, Amram and Jochebed (named later in Exod 6:20), hid him for three months before placing him in a papyrus basket on the Nile River. Miraculously, he was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter. Verse 9 then serves as the crucial turning point, following Moses's sister (Miriam) suggesting a Hebrew wet nurse for the baby. This verse, therefore, highlights the divine orchestrating of events to ensure Moses's safety and provide him with an authentic upbringing, even as he was destined for the Egyptian court. The broader historical context includes the growing oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, foreshadowing God's great act of deliverance through Moses, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

Exodus 2 9 Word analysis

• And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her:
  • The "and" (וַתֹּאמֶר - vat'tomer, a Waw consecutive imperfect) connects this action directly to the previous events, showing an immediate consequence.
  • Pharaoh’s daughter: She holds immense authority and power within Egyptian society, yet is used by God to further His plans. Her compassion, unexpected given her father’s decree, underscores divine irony and demonstrates that God can work through anyone, even those hostile to His people.
• ‘Take this child away':
  • The imperative "Take" (לְכִי - lekhi, lit. "go [feminine single] for yourself") signifies a direct command, implying not just "take" but "go and take him" or "take him to your home."
  • This child (הַיֶּלֶד - hayyeled): Refers specifically to Moses, emphasizing his status as an infant dependent on care. The definite article "the" indicates the child just rescued from the basket.
• and nurse him for me':
  • Nurse him (וְהֵינִקִיהוּ - v'henikihu, a causative verb meaning "to cause him to suckle"): This crucial instruction allows Jochebed to reclaim her child. The action of nursing established a vital physical and emotional bond essential for Moses's development and Jewish identity formation, as he received nourishment and nurture from his biological mother during his formative years.
  • For me: Signifies Pharaoh's daughter's appropriation of the child. She claimed the child as her own and sought a nurse on her behalf, unknowingly fulfilling God's design for Moses to be raised with both Hebrew roots and an Egyptian education.
• and I will give you your wages.’:
  • I will give you: The promise of payment ensures the transaction is official and lawful in an Egyptian context, legally securing Jochebed’s care for the baby.
  • Your wages (שְׂכָרֵךְ - s'kharek, lit. "your reward/hire"): This is a stunning reversal. Not only does Jochebed get her baby back, but she is also compensated for caring for him. This demonstrates God's perfect justice and humor, turning a decree of death into an economic benefit for the very people oppressed. It symbolizes God’s abundant provision and grace.
• So the woman took the child and nursed him.:
  • The woman (הָאִשָּׁה - ha'ishah): Specifically Jochebed, Moses's mother. Her immediate and implicit obedience shows her faith and the relief of being reunited with her son under such unique circumstances.
  • Took the child and nursed him: A clear statement of action taken, signifying the successful fulfillment of the divine plan. It also marks the precious time she was given with her son, establishing his identity before he entered Pharaoh’s house fully.

Exodus 2 9 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces the concept of the "nurture" aspect in a child's early years, vital for identity formation. Moses spent his most impressionable years with his Hebrew family, undoubtedly instilling within him a foundational understanding of his people and heritage, which would be crucial for his later identification with the Israelites despite his Egyptian princely education (Heb 11:24-25). This arrangement served to embed within him a divine narrative and a sense of belonging to God's chosen people before he entered the grand stage of Pharaoh's court. The "wages" also symbolically represent God's faithful provision, ensuring that His chosen instruments and their caregivers are sustained even amidst oppressive regimes. It underscores that God cares for both the "big picture" of salvation and the intricate, personal details of His people's lives.

Exodus 2 9 Commentary

Exodus 2:9 encapsulates a moment of profound divine irony and sovereign providence. Pharaoh's daughter, aiming to care for an adopted child, unknowingly secures the preservation and nurturing of the very individual destined to lead Israel out of her father's oppressive empire. The decree intended to eradicate Hebrew males becomes, through God's master orchestration, the means by which their future deliverer is not only saved but professionally cared for by his own mother, with state sponsorship. This verse highlights God's ability to manipulate human authority and events—even the most severe and hostile—to accomplish His benevolent purposes. Jochebed receives an unimaginable reward: her baby's life preserved, the opportunity to breastfeed and bond with him, and wages for doing so, turning fear into fulfillment and sorrow into joy. This seemingly small domestic scene is pivotal in redemptive history, laying the foundation for Moses's upbringing that combines his Hebrew heritage with the education of an Egyptian prince (Acts 7:22). It serves as a powerful testament to God's unerring plan and His ability to turn evil intentions for His own glorious ends (Gen 50:20).

• Example: A Christian faces severe financial hardship due to job loss, but during this time, they dedicate themselves more fully to prayer and Bible study. Unexpectedly, they receive a unique opportunity that utilizes a forgotten skill, leading to a far better role and financial stability than before, highlighting God's unexpected provisions in trying times.
• Example: A difficult family conflict might lead to temporary separation, but in that separation, individuals find space for repentance and healing, ultimately leading to a stronger, more mature relationship.