Exodus 2:16
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
Original Language Analysis
וּלְכֹהֵ֥ן
Now the priest
H3548
וּלְכֹהֵ֥ן
Now the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
1 of 12
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִדְיָ֖ן
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָ֖ן
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
2 of 12
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
שֶׁ֣בַע
had seven
H7651
שֶׁ֣בַע
had seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
3 of 12
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
בָּנ֑וֹת
daughters
H1323
בָּנ֑וֹת
daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
4 of 12
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וַתָּבֹ֣אנָה
and they came
H935
וַתָּבֹ֣אנָה
and they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
5 of 12
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וַתִּדְלֶ֗נָה
and drew
H1802
וַתִּדְלֶ֗נָה
and drew
Strong's:
H1802
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, to dangle, i.e., to let down a bucket (for drawing out water); figuratively, to deliver
וַתְּמַלֶּ֙אנָה֙
water and filled
H4390
וַתְּמַלֶּ֙אנָה֙
water and filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
7 of 12
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָ֣רְהָטִ֔ים
the troughs
H7298
הָ֣רְהָטִ֔ים
the troughs
Strong's:
H7298
Word #:
9 of 12
a channel or watering-box; by resemblance a ringlet of hair (as forming parallel lines)
לְהַשְׁק֖וֹת
to water
H8248
לְהַשְׁק֖וֹת
to water
Strong's:
H8248
Word #:
10 of 12
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
Cross References
Exodus 3:1Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.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.1 Samuel 9:11And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?Genesis 41:45And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Historical Context
Shepherding was common in semi-nomadic Midianite culture. That a priest's daughters shepherd flocks indicates either economic necessity or cultural norms (like Rachel in Genesis 29:9). Wells were communal resources often contested (Genesis 21:25, 26:20-21). Jethro's later advice to Moses (18:13-27) shows his wisdom influenced Israel's governance structure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' 40 years of obscurity as a shepherd prepare him for leading God's flock through the wilderness?
- What does Jethro's role teach about God's truth preserved even among non-Israelites descended from Abraham?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock (וּלְכֹהֵן מִדְיָן שֶׁבַע בָּנוֹת, ulkhohen Midyan sheva banot)—The priest of Midian is Reuel/Jethro (v. 18, 3:1), keeper of Midianite religious traditions possibly preserving Abrahamic monotheism (Genesis 25:2). Seven daughters (שֶׁבַע, sheva, number of completion) draw water for their father's flock. The scene depicts pastoral life Moses will live for 40 years, learning wilderness survival, shepherd skills, and patience—all essential for leading Israel. The daughters' vulnerability (v. 17) sets up Moses' intervention, showing his character despite his failures.