Exodus 2:4
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
Original Language Analysis
וַתֵּֽתַצַּ֥ב
stood
H3320
וַתֵּֽתַצַּ֥ב
stood
Strong's:
H3320
Word #:
1 of 7
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
אֲחֹת֖וֹ
And his sister
H269
אֲחֹת֖וֹ
And his sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
2 of 7
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
מֵֽרָחֹ֑ק
afar off
H7350
מֵֽרָחֹ֑ק
afar off
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
3 of 7
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
לְדֵעָ֕ה
to wit
H3045
לְדֵעָ֕ה
to wit
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Cross References
Numbers 26:59And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.Exodus 15:20And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.Micah 6:4For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
Historical Context
Young girls were less threatening to Egyptian authorities and could move more freely than adults. Miriam's presence suggests family planning—someone must be ready to retrieve the ark or intervene if needed. Her later role as prophetess (15:20, Micah 6:4) begins with this childhood courage.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Miriam's watchful positioning teach about being ready to act when God provides opportunities?
- In what situations has God called you to be present and observant, trusting He will show you when and how to intervene?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him (וַתֵּתַצַּב אֲחֹתוֹ מֵרָחֹק, vattetatsav achoto merachok)—His sister (later identified as Miriam, 15:20) positions herself to observe and act. Stood (יָצַב, yatsav) suggests watchful readiness, not passive waiting. Afar off (מֵרָחֹק, merachok) indicates strategic distance—close enough to intervene, far enough to appear inconspicuous. To wit (לְדֵעָה, lede'ah, "to know") shows intentional intelligence-gathering. Miriam's courage and quick thinking (v. 7-8) will prove crucial to God's plan. This brief verse reveals character: the sister who guards Moses in infancy will lead worship after his greatest triumph (15:20-21).