What does Exodus 2:2 mean?

Moses was not the first child of this couple (Exodus 2:1). However, his birth is described in customary order. His mother conceived and gave birth to a son. The problem, however, is that Pharaoh had just announced all newborn sons must be thrown into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). According to the law, and the surrounding culture, their son was supposed to die. However, his mother saw he was "a fine child." The idea of a "good" or "fine" child is the same adjective "good" from the Hebrew tov found in the creation account (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). This general term describes Moses as a healthy, happy child, without providing significant details.

Rather than obey Pharaoh, his mother preserves Moses' life. Like the midwives in Exodus chapter 1, Jochebed chooses to disobey an evil decree to save her child. Hiding a newborn son for three months would have been extremely difficult for the mother and her family. Even more difficult, she would soon have to make a tough decision regarding her son's future, leaving his young life in God's hands. God would clearly reward her efforts with a miraculous turn of events in the following verses (Exodus 2:3–10).