Chapter
Verse

Exodus 2:6

ESV When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
NIV She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. 'This is one of the Hebrew babies,' she said.
NASB When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews’ children.'
CSB opened it, and saw him, the child--and there he was, a little boy, crying. She felt sorry for him and said, "This is one of the Hebrew boys."
NLT When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. 'This must be one of the Hebrew children,' she said.
KJV 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.

What does Exodus 2:6 mean?

Pharaoh's daughter opens the basket and finds Moses crying. Unlike her father, who had ordered infanticide (Exodus 1:22), this woman has a more compassionate heart. She takes pity on this seemingly abandoned child. This verse also makes it clear that she realized Moses was a Jewish male. This would have been clear for three reasons. First, the baby was found on the Nile River. Second, the child would have a Jewish complexion, a look distinct from the Egyptians.

Third, and most importantly, Moses would have been circumcised. This Jewish practice began with Abraham and was performed on Jewish males on the eighth day after their birth in generations to follow (Genesis 17:12). Though hidden as a young child, Moses' parents would have obeyed the practice of circumcision. This is also made clear in Exodus 4:24–26 where the son of Moses required circumcision before Moses could return to Egypt. If Moses had not already been circumcised, it would have been noted at this time.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: