What does Exodus 2:6 mean?
"And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children." - Exodus 2:6

Exodus 2:6 (KJV) reads, "And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children."
The verse comes from the book of Exodus, which is the second book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It tells the story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses, and their journey to the Promised Land. The verse in question is part of the early narrative of Moses’ life, particularly the account of his miraculous rescue as an infant.
At first glance, this verse seems to simply describe how the Pharaoh's daughter found Moses in a basket among the reeds of the Nile River. However, upon closer examination, we can glean deeper meanings and themes from this passage.
The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its significance. At the time, the Pharaoh of Egypt had issued a decree to kill all Hebrew baby boys in an attempt to control their population. In an act of desperation, Moses' mother placed him in a basket and set him adrift on the Nile River. Miraculously, Pharaoh's daughter discovered him and decided to raise him as her own, effectively saving his life.
One of the primary themes of this verse is the providence of God. Despite the evil intentions of Pharaoh and the desperate actions of Moses' mother, God orchestrated events in such a way that Moses was not only spared but also raised within the very household of the one who sought to destroy him. This theme of divine intervention and protection is a recurring motif throughout the book of Exodus and serves as a testament to God's faithfulness to His people.
Another theme that can be drawn from this verse is the concept of compassion. The Pharaoh's daughter, upon seeing the crying baby in the basket, was moved with compassion and decided to take him in. This act of compassion reflects the overarching message of the Bible – that we are called to love and care for one another, especially the marginalized and vulnerable. The compassion shown by the Pharaoh's daughter towards Moses also serves as a stark contrast to the cruelty of the Pharaoh and his decree to kill Hebrew babies.
Symbolism is also present in this verse. The image of Moses being found in a basket among the reeds of the Nile can be seen as a foreshadowing of his future role as a leader and deliverer of the Israelites. The Nile itself holds symbolic significance as it was not only a source of life and sustenance for the Egyptians but also a place of danger and death for the Hebrew infants. This duality of the Nile as both a life-giving force and a symbol of oppression mirrors the themes of deliverance and bondage found throughout the book of Exodus.
In conclusion, Exodus 2:6 offers a rich tapestry of themes, context, and symbolism that speak to the timeless truths found within the Bible. The story of Moses' rescue serves as a powerful testament to God's providence, the importance of compassion, and the fulfillment of God's ultimate plan for His people. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, God is always at work, orchestrating events for the good of those who love Him.
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Exodus 2:6 Artwork
Exodus 2:6 - "And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children."
"And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children." - Exodus 2:6
Exodus 6:2 - "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:"
Exodus 17:6
Exodus 17:6
Exodus 17:6
"And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:" - Exodus 6:2
Exodus 17:6
Exodus 6:21 - "¶ And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri."
Exodus 6:22 - "And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri."
Exodus 6:10 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Exodus 6:17 - "The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families."
Exodus 35:6 - "And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,"
Exodus 25:6 - "Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,"
Exodus 1:6 - "And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation."
Exodus 6:24 - "And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites."
Exodus 33:6 - "And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb."
Exodus 38:6 - "And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass."
Exodus 23:6 - "Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause."
Exodus 6:19 - "And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations."
Exodus 7:6 - "And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they."
Exodus 5:6 - "And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,"
Exodus 14:6 - "And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:"
Exodus 20:6 - "And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."
Exodus 6:28 - "¶ And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,"
"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:" - Exodus 6:6
Exodus 20:6 (6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:6 (6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:6 (6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:6 (6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.