Exodus 2:7
Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
Original Language Analysis
אֲחֹתוֹ֮
his sister
H269
אֲחֹתוֹ֮
his sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
2 of 16
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
בַּת
daughter
H1323
בַּת
daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
4 of 16
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
הַֽאֵלֵ֗ךְ
H1980
הַֽאֵלֵ֗ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְקָרָ֤אתִי
and call
H7121
וְקָרָ֤אתִי
and call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
7 of 16
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
מִ֖ן
H4480
מִ֖ן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָֽעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת
of the Hebrew
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת
of the Hebrew
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
12 of 16
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
Cross References
Exodus 2:4And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.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.Numbers 12:1And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Historical Context
Wet nurses were common in the ancient world, especially in royal households. Egyptian art depicts nurses caring for noble children. That Pharaoh's daughter accepts a Hebrew nurse suggests pragmatic need outweighed prejudice—or perhaps God inclined her heart. Nursing typically lasted 2-3 years (cf. 2 Samuel 4:4), giving Jochebed time to instill Hebrew identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Miriam's readiness to act when opportunity appears challenge you to be alert for God's providential moments?
- What does this scene teach about God's ability to use our natural skills and quick thinking within His sovereign plans?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? (הַאֵלֵךְ וְקָרָאתִי לָךְ אִשָּׁה מֵינֶקֶת, ha'elekh vekarati lakh ishah meineqet)—Miriam's boldness and presence of mind are remarkable. She seizes the moment, offering a practical solution that will reunite Moses with his mother. A nurse of the Hebrew women is brilliant strategy: Hebrew women are available and willing (unlike Egyptian women who might refuse), and it allows the child to be nursed by his own mother while in royal protection. God uses Miriam's quick thinking to perfect His plan. This is faith in action—seeing God's providential opening and stepping through it.