Exodus 2:5

Authorized King James Version

And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֵּ֤רֶד
came down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#2
בַּת
And the daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#3
פַּרְעֹה֙
of Pharaoh
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
#4
לִרְחֹ֣ץ
to wash
to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
הַיְאֹ֑ר
along by the river's
a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
#7
וְנַֽעֲרֹתֶ֥יהָ
and her maidens
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
#8
הֹֽלְכֹ֖ת
walked
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
יַ֣ד
side
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#11
הַיְאֹ֑ר
along by the river's
a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
#12
וַתֵּ֤רֶא
and when she saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הַתֵּבָה֙
the ark
a box
#15
בְּת֣וֹךְ
among
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#16
הַסּ֔וּף
the flags
a reed, especially the papyrus
#17
וַתִּשְׁלַ֥ח
she sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
אֲמָתָ֖הּ
her maid
a maid-servant or female slave
#20
וַתִּקָּחֶֽהָ׃
to fetch
to take (in the widest variety of applications)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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