Acts 7:21
And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀνείλετο
took
G337
ἀνείλετο
took
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
4 of 14
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυγάτηρ
daughter
G2364
θυγάτηρ
daughter
Strong's:
G2364
Word #:
7 of 14
a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἑαυτῇ
her own
G1438
ἑαυτῇ
her own
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
12 of 14
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
Historical Context
Pharaoh's daughter's daily bathing in the Nile (Exodus 2:5) positioned her to discover Moses. Her compassion overcame her father's genocidal decree, risking his displeasure. Egyptian princesses held significant social status and could adopt children. Moses' forty years in Pharaoh's house (Acts 7:23) gave him education 'in all the wisdom of the Egyptians' (v. 22).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of Pharaoh's daughter to preserve Moses demonstrate His sovereignty over even enemy actions?
- What does Moses' palace upbringing teach us about God's preparation of His servants through unexpected means?
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses being 'cast out' (exposed to die) seems like covenant failure, yet God providentially orchestrated his adoption by Pharaoh's daughter. What appeared as abandonment became the means of preservation and education in Egypt's palace. God's sovereignty transforms apparent defeats into victories—Moses' adoption positioned him to lead Israel with Egyptian court training. Divine providence often works through unexpected human agents, even pagan princesses.