Exodus 2:15
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ
he sought
H1245
וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ
he sought
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
6 of 19
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from the face
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
and dwelt
H3427
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
and dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מִדְיָ֖ן
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָ֖ן
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
16 of 19
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
and dwelt
H3427
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
and dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Hebrews 11:27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.Acts 7:29Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.Genesis 24:11And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.Genesis 29:2And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.Proverbs 22:3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.Matthew 10:23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.John 4:6Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.Exodus 4:19And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.Genesis 25:4And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
Historical Context
Midian's location beyond Egyptian jurisdiction provided asylum. The journey from Egypt to Midian (likely 200+ miles) was arduous through Sinai wilderness. Moses' sitting by a well echoes Abraham's servant finding Rebekah (Genesis 24) and Jacob meeting Rachel (Genesis 29)—betrothal type-scenes where God orchestrates covenant marriages.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' flight from Egypt paradoxically position him for God's call at the burning bush?
- In what ways has God used forced transitions or exiles in your life to prepare you for future calling?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well (וַיִּשְׁמַע פַּרְעֹה אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַיְבַקֵּשׁ לַהֲרֹג אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וַיִּבְרַח מֹשֶׁה מִפְּנֵי פַרְעֹה, vayishma Par'oh et-hadavar hazeh vayevakesh laharog et-Mosheh vayivrach Mosheh mipnei Far'oh)—Pharaoh's death sentence forces Moses' exodus from Egypt. Moses fled (וַיִּבְרַח, vayivrach)—the prince becomes fugitive. Midian (מִדְיָן), descended from Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:2), occupied northwest Arabia east of the Gulf of Aqaba. He sat down by a well—wells in Scripture are meeting places where God providentially arranges encounters (Genesis 24:11, 29:2, John 4:6). This scene sets up Moses meeting his wife and father-in-law, who will shape his next 40 years.