Exodus 2:22
And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
Original Language Analysis
וַתֵּ֣לֶד
And she bare
H3205
וַתֵּ֣לֶד
And she bare
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
1 of 12
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
בֵּ֔ן
him a son
H1121
בֵּ֔ן
him a son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
and he called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
and he called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
3 of 12
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמ֖וֹ
his name
H8034
שְׁמ֖וֹ
his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
5 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גֵּ֣ר
I have been a stranger
H1616
גֵּ֣ר
I have been a stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
הָיִ֔יתִי
H1961
הָיִ֔יתִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Acts 7:29Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.Exodus 22:21Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.Psalms 119:19I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.1 Chronicles 29:15For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.1 Chronicles 16:20And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;Psalms 39:12Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Historical Context
The motif of exile and sojourning runs throughout Moses' life and Israel's history. Abraham was called to be a sojourner (Genesis 12:1); Israel would sojourn in Egypt, wilderness, and ultimately long for the eternal homeland. Moses' personal exile equipped him with empathy for displaced people and trust in God rather than earthly security.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' naming of Gershom reflect his embrace of exile as identity, and how does this prepare him to lead a nation of sojourners?
- In what ways does your experience of being a 'stranger' or outsider shape your dependence on God and sympathy for others?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land (וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ גֵּרְשֹׁם כִּי אָמַר גֵּר הָיִיתִי בְּאֶרֶץ נָכְרִיָּה, vateled ben vayikra et-shemo Gereshom ki amar ger hayiti be'erets nokhriyah)—Gershom (גֵּרְשֹׁם, from גֵּר, ger, "stranger/sojourner") memorializes Moses' exile and alienation. Stranger in a strange land (גֵּר הָיִיתִי בְּאֶרֶץ נָכְרִיָּה) reflects Moses' identity crisis: Hebrew by birth, Egyptian by upbringing, now Midianite by marriage, yet belonging fully nowhere. This lifelong sense of exile prepared Moses to lead Israel—a nation of sojourners (Genesis 15:13, Leviticus 25:23, Hebrews 11:13-16). Gershom's name is testimony to humble dependence rather than triumphant confidence.