Exodus 2:10 recounts, “When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, ‘Because,’ she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.'” This verse highlights the paradox that Moses, a Hebrew by birth, was raised as an Egyptian prince in Pharaoh’s household. It might seem confusing given the tense political and social circumstances of the time, where Hebrews were being oppressed and enslaved by the Egyptians.
The decision for Pharaoh’s daughter to adopt Moses can be understood within the context of divine providence working through human actions. It seems unlikely for a Hebrew child to be accepted and nurtured in the house of the very man who had ordered the extermination of Hebrew babies. However, the Bible portrays God’s hand guiding events, shaping Moses’ unique circumstances to fulfill His divine plan for the Israelites.
Even the name given to Moses by Pharaoh’s daughter, meaning “drawn out” in Hebrew, foreshadows his destiny. As an adult, Moses would be used by God to “draw out” the Hebrew people from their slavery in Egypt and lead them towards the Promised Land.
There is also a suggestion of a more practical aspect for Moses being raised in the royal court. As a prince of Egypt, Moses received the best education and training available at the time. He learned not only the language and culture of the Egyptians but also skills in leadership and administration, all of which prepared him for his future role as the leader of the Israelites.
Thus, while the situation may initially seem paradoxical, it can be seen as part of God’s divine plan unfolding through the narrative. The unique position of Moses, being a Hebrew by birth but raised as an Egyptian prince, served as an integral part of God’s purpose for him and for the nation of Israel.
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
Online Guided Bible Study Courses
SCROLL THROUGH THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW
BIBLE TRANSLATION AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM
BIBLICAL STUDIES / BIBLE BACKGROUND / HISTORY OF THE BIBLE/ INTERPRETATION
