Exodus 2:23
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 2:23
23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Chapter Context
Exodus 2 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of righteousness, wisdom, love. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 2:23
23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Analysis
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage (וַיְהִי בַיָּמִים הָרַבִּים הָהֵם וַיָּמָת מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם וַיֵּאָנְחוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן־הָעֲבֹדָה וַיִּזְעָקוּ, vayehi vayamim harabim hahem vayamat melekh Mitsrayim vaye'anechu venei-Yisra'el min-ha'avodah vayiz'aku)—In process of time (בַיָּמִים הָרַבִּים, "in many days") covers decades. Pharaoh's death doesn't end oppression. Sighed... cried—two Hebrew verbs (אָנַח, anach, groaning; זָעַק, za'ak, crying out) intensify their desperation. Their cry came up unto God (וַתַּעַל שַׁוְעָתָם אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים, vata'al shav'atam el-ha'Elohim)—God hears covenant prayers. This verse transitions from Moses' story to God's response, setting up the burning bush encounter.
Historical Context
If Moses was 80 at the call (Acts 7:30) and 40 at exile (Acts 7:23), this covers ~40 years. The pharaoh who sought Moses' life died (4:19), but oppression continued under his successor. Israel's cry echoes earlier cries (Genesis 4:10, 18:20-21) that moved God to action. The narrative emphasizes that deliverance comes not from human timing but divine response to covenant people's prayers.
Reflection
- How does Israel's cry after decades of silence encourage you when God seems to delay His response to suffering?
- What does this verse teach about prayer as the catalyst that moves God to fulfill His covenant promises?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References God: Psalms 18:6
- References Egypt: Exodus 4:19, Nehemiah 9:9, Isaiah 19:20
- Parallel theme: Genesis 4:10, 16:11, Deuteronomy 24:15, Psalms 12:5, Acts 7:30, James 5:4