Baby Moses
A basket in the river
This story includes a king's order to kill baby boys, and Moses killing a man.
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Pharaoh: The king of Egypt. He is a new king, and he is afraid of the Israelites.
- The Israelites: Also called the Hebrews. The family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They live in Egypt.
- Shiphrah and Puah: Two Hebrew midwives. A midwife is a woman who helps mothers give birth.
- Moses's mother: An Israelite woman from the family of Levi.
- Moses's sister: A girl who watches over her baby brother. This chapter does not give her name.
- Pharaoh's daughter: An Egyptian princess.
- Moses: A Hebrew baby who grows up in Pharaoh's palace.
- Reuel and Zipporah: A priest in the land of Midian, and one of his seven daughters.
Setting
- Egypt, along the banks of the Nile River. Tall reeds grow in the shallow water. Later, a well in the desert land of Midian.
When
- More than 3,000 years ago. The story covers many years, from Moses's birth until he is a grown man with a son.
Before the Story
Jacob's family came to Egypt to survive. There was a famine, a time with not enough food. Jacob's son Joseph was a leader in Egypt, and he brought them there (Genesis 45 to 47).
They grew into a great people. After Joseph died, the Israelites had many children. The land was filled with them (1:6-7).
God had made a promise. Long before, the LORD told Abram that his family would be slaves in a land not their own. The LORD also promised to bring them out (Genesis 15:13-14). LORD in capital letters stands for God's personal name. Jewish readers traditionally don't say it aloud, out of respect.
Here's what you know that almost nobody in this story knows: The baby in the basket will grow up. He will lead his people out of Egypt.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A new king | 1:8-14 | A new king fears the Israelites and makes them slaves |
| 2. Two brave midwives | 1:15-21 | Shiphrah and Puah refuse the king's order |
| 3. The order | 1:22-2:2 | Pharaoh orders baby boys thrown into the Nile. A mother hides her son |
| 4. A basket in the reeds | 2:3-4 | The mother puts her baby in a basket. His sister watches |
| 5. Pharaoh's daughter | 2:5-6 | The princess finds the baby and feels sorry for him |
| 6. A nurse for the baby | 2:7-10 | The baby's own mother is paid to nurse him. He is named Moses |
| 7. Moses kills a man | 2:11-15 | Grown-up Moses kills an Egyptian and runs away |
| 8. At a well in Midian | 2:15-22 | Moses helps seven sisters and marries Zipporah |
| 9. God hears | 2:23-25 | The Israelites groan. God hears and remembers |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 9A New King
Mud bricks dried in the hot sun. Israelite slaves carried them to build cities for the king.
It had not always been this way. A new king had come to power in Egypt. He "did not know Joseph" (1:8). One likely meaning: he did not remember or care what Joseph had done for Egypt.
The king looked at the Israelites and felt afraid. There were so many of them. He told his people that if a war came, the Israelites might join the enemy.
So the Egyptians made the Israelites slaves. They put bosses over them called taskmasters. The slaves built two store cities for Pharaoh, named Pithom and Rameses.
But the harder the Egyptians pushed them, the more the Israelites grew. Now the Egyptians were afraid too. They worked the slaves without mercy. They "made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar" (1:14).
Scene 2 of 9Two Brave Midwives
Then the king called two Hebrew midwives. Their names were Shiphrah and Puah.
The king gave them a terrible order. When a Hebrew baby was born, they had to watch. If it was a boy, they had to kill him. If it was a girl, she could live.
Shiphrah and Puah did not obey. "The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live" (1:17). To fear God means to honor God above everyone, even a king.
The king called them back. He asked why they had let the boys live.
The midwives told him that Hebrew women were not like Egyptian women. They said Hebrew women were strong. Their babies were born before a midwife could get there.
"So God was good to the midwives" (1:20). The people kept growing. Because the midwives feared God, God gave Shiphrah and Puah families of their own.
The Bible gives the midwives' names. It does not give the king's name.
Scene 3 of 9The Order
The king's plan with the midwives had not worked. So he gave a new order, this time to all his people. "Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live" (1:22).
The Nile is the great river that runs through Egypt.
Around this time, a man and a woman from the family of Levi got married. The woman had a baby boy.
She saw that he was a beautiful child. So she hid him. For three months, she kept him a secret.
The Bible doesn't say how she hid him, or why she could not hide him longer. One likely reason: babies cry, and babies grow.
Scene 4 of 9A Basket in the Reeds
At last she could not hide him any longer.
She "got him a papyrus basket and coated it with tar and pitch" (2:3). Papyrus is a tall reed that grows by the river. Tar and pitch are thick and sticky. They keep water out.
She laid her baby in the basket. She set it among the reeds at the edge of the Nile.
The baby's sister stood a little way off. She watched to see what would happen to him.
Halfway thereThis is a good place for a break. Your spot is saved on this device.
Scene 5 of 9Pharaoh's Daughter
Soon Pharaoh's daughter came down to the Nile to bathe. Her servants walked along the riverbank.
She saw the basket in the reeds. She sent a servant to get it.
She opened it. Inside was a baby boy, and he was crying.
"So she had compassion on him" (2:6). Compassion means feeling sorry for someone and wanting to help.
She said, "This is one of the Hebrew children" (2:6).
Pharaoh had ordered Hebrew boys thrown into the Nile. Now his own daughter had pulled one out of it.
Scene 6 of 9A Nurse for the Baby
Then the baby's sister spoke to the princess. She asked, "Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?" (2:7). To nurse a baby is to feed the baby milk.
"Go ahead," the princess said.
So the girl ran and got the baby's own mother.
The princess told the mother to take the baby and nurse him. She said she would pay her.
Now the mother could hold her son again. She was even paid to do it, by Pharaoh's own family.
When the boy was older, his mother brought him to the princess. He became her son.
She named him Moses. She said, "I drew him out of the water" (2:10). The name Moses sounds like the Hebrew word for "draw out."
Scene 7 of 9Moses Kills a Man
Moses grew up. One day he went out to see his own people, the Hebrews. He saw how hard they had to work.
Then he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew.
The Bible tells it plainly. "After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand" (2:12).
The Bible doesn't say what Moses was thinking. But remember: he was a Hebrew, raised in an Egyptian palace. The man being beaten was "one of his own people" (2:11).
The next day, Moses saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong why he was hitting the other man.
The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" (2:14).
Moses was afraid because people knew what he had done.
Pharaoh heard about it, and he tried to kill Moses. So Moses ran away.
Scene 8 of 9At a Well in Midian
Moses fled to the land of Midian, far from Egypt. He sat down beside a well.
The priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to the well to water their father's sheep. Some shepherds came and drove the sisters away.
Moses stood up. He helped the sisters and watered their flock.
The sisters went home to their father, Reuel. He asked why they were back so early.
They said, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds" (2:19). They said he had even drawn water for them and watered the flock. The Bible doesn't say why they called him an Egyptian. But remember: he grew up in Pharaoh's palace.
Reuel asked where the man was, and why they had left him behind. He told them to invite the man to eat.
Moses agreed to stay with Reuel. Reuel gave him his daughter Zipporah to marry. Zipporah and Moses had a son.
Moses named the boy Gershom. He said, "I have become a foreigner in a foreign land" (2:22). A foreigner is someone living far from home, among people who are not their own.
Scene 9 of 9God Hears
Years went by. The king of Egypt died.
But the Israelites were still slaves. They groaned under the heavy work. They cried out for help.
Their cry went up to God.
"So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (2:24). A covenant is a lasting promise. God had made one with their families long ago.
"God saw the Israelites and took notice" (2:25).
The slaves did not know it yet. Moses, far away in Midian, did not know it either. But God was about to act.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "A new king, who did not know Joseph" (1:8) | The new king did not remember or care about how Joseph had saved Egypt. The Israelites lost their protection. |
| "The midwives, however, feared God" (1:17) | Shiphrah and Puah honored God more than the king. So they would not kill the babies. |
| "So God was good to the midwives" (1:20) | God saw what they did. He gave them families of their own (1:21). |
| "She had compassion on him" (2:6) | The crying baby made the princess feel pity. Her pity saved his life. |
| "I drew him out of the water" (2:10) | The princess named Moses for the day she found him. Later, God would use Moses to bring his people through water (Exodus 14). |
| "I have become a foreigner in a foreign land" (2:22) | Moses was born a Hebrew and raised in Egypt's palace. Now he lived far away from both peoples, in a land that was not his own. |
| "God heard... God saw" (2:24-25) | God was not far away. He heard the slaves' cries, remembered his promise, and paid attention. |
Back Then
"Pharaoh" was a title for the kings of Egypt. (Easton's Bible Dictionary) The Bible doesn't give this Pharaoh's name.
Pithom was a store city. Its name means "house of Tum," an Egyptian sun god. Ruins of what may have been grain rooms were found at the likely site. (Easton's Bible Dictionary)
Shiphrah and Puah may have been leaders. Easton's suggests they were probably in charge of all the Hebrew midwives. (Easton's Bible Dictionary)
The basket was made of papyrus reeds. The Hebrew word for it comes from an Egyptian word meaning "a chest." (Easton's Bible Dictionary)
The same Hebrew word is used for Noah's ark. The word is tevah. The Bible uses it only for Noah's ark (Genesis 6:14) and for Moses's basket (Exodus 2:3, 2:5). (Strong's Concordance) Both were coated with pitch. Many readers see a link here: in both stories, someone was kept alive inside, through deadly water.
Moses's family is named later. His parents were Amram and Jochebed. His older brother was Aaron (Exodus 6:20, 7:7, Numbers 26:59).
Moses's father-in-law is called Jethro in Exodus 3:1. Easton's says that if Reuel and Jethro are the same man, Reuel may be his name and Jethro a title. (Easton's Bible Dictionary)
Literal Reader Alert
What was the sister's name? This chapter does not say. Later, the Bible names Moses's sister Miriam (Exodus 15:20, Numbers 26:59). Readers usually take Miriam to be the girl by the river.
Did the midwives lie to Pharaoh? The Bible doesn't say whether their answer was true. Some readers think it was true. Others think the midwives lied to save lives. The Bible says God gave them families because they feared God (1:21). It does not praise lying. This story is about protecting babies from a king who wanted them dead. It is not permission to lie in everyday life. It's okay to notice things like this. Careful readers have asked about it for centuries.
What about the other babies? The Bible tells us the king's order. It does not say how many boys were thrown into the Nile. It tells us about one baby who was saved. Any family who lost a son would have grieved. Christians have struggled with this passage for a long time. God did not order this killing. A frightened king did. The Bible does not hide it, and neither should we. When God seems hidden in a story like this, look to Jesus, the clearest picture of who God is. As a baby, Jesus also escaped a king who killed little boys (Matthew 2:13-16).
Was Moses right to kill the Egyptian? Exodus does not say outright. It tells what Moses did, that he hid the body, and that he was afraid (2:12, 2:14). Other parts of the Bible read it in different ways. Stephen, in the book of Acts, says Moses was 40 years old. He says Moses was defending the man. Moses thought his people would see that God was using him to rescue them. But they did not see it (Acts 7:23-25). The letter to the Hebrews does not mention the killing. It praises Moses's faith. By faith, Moses chose to suffer with God's people instead of enjoying Egypt's treasures (Hebrews 11:24-26). Hebrews also says Moses left Egypt "not fearing the king's anger" (Hebrews 11:27). But Exodus 2:14 says Moses was afraid when he ran. Many readers think Hebrews 11:27 is about the later exodus from Egypt, not this escape. Moses was not a perfect hero, and the Bible does not call him a villain. God chose him anyway.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with a parent, pastor, or trusted adult. If someone is hurting you, tell a trusted adult today. If you are in danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. In the United States, you can call or text 988 any time. Outside the United States, findahelpline.com lists free helplines.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pharaoh | Afraid | There were so many Israelites. He thought they might join an enemy (1:9-10) |
| Shiphrah and Puah | Brave | They feared God more than the king (1:17) |
| Moses's mother | Desperate | She could not hide her baby any longer (2:3) |
| Pharaoh's daughter | Moved with pity | The baby in the basket was crying (2:6) |
| Moses | Afraid | People knew he had killed a man, and Pharaoh wanted him dead (2:14-15) |
| Moses | Lonely | He called himself a foreigner in a foreign land (2:22) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Where are you in this story today? Tap one.
Small and hidden
Moses was a baby in a basket. He could do nothing. God saw him there, and sent help from people nobody expected.
Far from home
Moses said, "I have become a foreigner." God had not forgotten him. In the next chapter, God comes to find him in the desert.
Carrying something I did
Moses killed a man and ran away. God did not give up on him. God came to him and gave him a new calling. In Jesus, God comes to you too.
Too tired to pray
The slaves groaned. They did not even have words. God heard their groaning anyway.
It's really bad right now
God hears you, even when all you can do is groan. Please also tell a trusted adult today. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 any time. If you are in danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. Outside the U.S., find a helpline at findahelpline.com.
You Might Have Heard
"Moses's mother trusted God, so God kept her baby safe. If you have enough faith, nothing bad will happen to you."
What's true: The letter to the Hebrews says Moses's parents hid him "by faith" (Hebrews 11:23). Their courage was real. It was God's gift.
What the story is mainly about: God keeps his promise through small and weak people. Two midwives. A mother and her daughter. A baby in a basket. Even a princess from Pharaoh's own family. The king's order put every Hebrew baby boy in danger. Faith does not keep every bad thing away. Faith means trusting the God who hears, even in the worst times.
Where Jesus is: Jesus was also a baby when a king wanted to kill him. His family fled to Egypt, and the little boys of Bethlehem were killed (Matthew 2:13-16). Jesus did not stay safe forever. He grew up and went to the cross. On the cross, God did not watch suffering from far away. In Jesus, God went into suffering himself. The God who acts in this story is the same God we meet in Jesus.
Good News
The Israelites did not pray a beautiful prayer. They groaned. And "God heard their groaning" (2:24).
Moses killed a man. He was afraid, and he ran away. God did not give up on him.
Paul wrote that when we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us "with groans too deep for words" (Romans 8:26).
God hears you before you find the words, and he remembers his promise to you.
Big Idea
God saved baby Moses through brave women, and God heard his people groaning and remembered his promise.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism (1529), Luther explains most of the commandments starting with the same words: "We should fear and love God." The Fifth Commandment is "You shall not kill." For this commandment, Luther says we should not hurt our neighbor. Instead, we should help and befriend our neighbor in every bodily need.
The Bible says Shiphrah and Puah "feared God" (1:17). Their fear of God did not make them hide. It made them protect babies. In the Large Catechism (1529), Luther also says you can break this commandment by not helping someone whose life you could save.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Exodus 1:8 to 2:10 in late August of Year A (Lectionary 21). The psalm that day is often Psalm 124, a song thanking God for rescue.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
How did that feel?