Exodus 2:15
"Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses,.... Both for his killing the Egyptian, which by the laws of Egypt (i) was death, whether bond or free; and for his taking part with the Hebrews against the Egyptians, and knowing him to be a wise and valiant man, might fear he would put himself at the head of the Hebrews, and cause a revolt of them; and if there was anything in his dream, or if he had such an one, and had the interpretation of it given by his magicians, that an Hebrew child should be born, by whom Egypt would be destroyed; see Gill on Exo 1:15 , he might call it to mind, and be affected with it, and fear the time was coming

on, and Moses was the person by whom it should be done; and he might be stirred up by his courtiers to take this step, who doubtless envied the growing interest of Moses in his court: but Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh; not through want of courage, but through prudence, to avoid danger, and preserve his life for future usefulness; and no doubt under a divine impulse, and by the direction of divine Providence, the time for him to be the deliverer of Israel not being yet come: and dwelt in the land of Midian: a country so called from Midian, one of Abraham's sons by Keturah, Gen 25:2 . Jerom (k) calls it a city, and says it was on the other side of Arabia, to the south, in the desert of the Saracens, to the east of the Red sea, from whence the country was called Midian; and Philo (l) says, that Moses went into neighbouring Arabia; and which is confirmed by Artapanus (m) the Heathen historian, who says, that from Memphis, crossing the river Nile, he went into Arabia; and this country was sometimes called Cush or Ethiopia; hence Moses's wife is called an Ethiopian woman, Num 12:1 . and he sat down by a well; weary, thoughtful, and pensive. It may be observed, that it was usual with persons in such like circumstances, being strangers and not knowing well to whom to apply for assistance or direction, to place themselves at a well of water, to which there was frequent resort, both for the use of families and of flocks; see Gen 24:11 . This well is now called, as some say, Eyoun el Kaseb, fourteen hours and a half from Magare Chouaib, or "the grot of Jethro" (n); but if this was so far from Jethro's house, his daughters had a long way to go with their flock: but some other travellers (o) speak of a very neat and pleasant village, called Hattin, where they were shown the grave of Jethro, Moses's father-in-law; and in the neighbourhood of that place is a cistern, now called Omar, and is said to be the watering place where Moses met with the daughters of the priest of Midian. A late learned man (p) thinks, that Sharma, which is about a day and a half's journey southeast from Mount Sinai, is the place where Jethro lived. The Arabic geographer (q) says, at the shore of the Red sea lies the city Madian, greater than Tabuc, and in it is a well, out of which Moses watered the flocks of Scioaib, that is, Raguel. (i) Diodor. Sicul. Bibliothec. l. 1. p. 70. (k) De locis Heb. fol. 93. A. B. (l) De Vita Mosis, l. 1. p. 609. (m) Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 27. p. 433. (n) See a Journey from Grand Cairo to Mecca, in Ray's Travels, vol. 2. p. 468. (o) Egmont and Heyman's Travels, vol. 2. p. 29. (p) See the Origin of Hieroglyphics, at the end of a Journal from Cairo, to Mount Sinai, p. 55. Ed. 2. (q) Climat. 3. par. 5.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (19 words)

H8085 שָׁמַע
Definition:

52+,שָׁמֵ֑עַJeremiah 36:133t.; 2 feminine singularשָׁמַ֫עַתְּ1 Kings 1:112t.; 3 pluralשָׁמֵ֑עוּJudges 2:17+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמַעExodus 6:30+, 1 singular cohortativeאֶשְׁמְעָהNumb 52+,שָׁמֵ֑עַJeremiah 36:133t.; 2 feminine singularשָׁמַ֫עַתְּ1 Kings 1:112t.; 3 pluralשָׁמֵ֑עוּJudges 2:17+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמַעExodus 6:30+, 1 singular cohortativeאֶשְׁמְעָהNumb

Possible Meanings:
  • hear (semantic_range)
  • hear (semantic_range)
  • have sense of hearing (semantic_range)
  • shew oneself obedient (semantic_range)
H6547 פַרְעֹה
Definition:

15(3 t. in verse);Genesis 12:17212t. Hexateuch 19 t. Kings,Isaiah 19:11(twice in verse) + 3t.,Jeremiah 25:1910t.,Ezekiel 17:1712t.,Nehemiah 9:10;1 Chronicles 4:18; 2Chronicles 8:11;Psalm 135:9;Psalm 1 15(3 t. in verse);Genesis 12:17212t. Hexateuch 19 t. Kings,Isaiah 19:11(twice in verse) + 3t.,Jeremiah 25:1910t.,Ezekiel 17:1712t.,Nehemiah 9:10;1 Chronicles 4:18; 2Chronicles 8:11;Psalm 135:9;Psalm 1

Possible Meanings:
  • Pharaoh (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H1697 דָבָר
Definition:

14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו 14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו

Possible Meanings:
  • speaking (semantic_range)
H2088 זֶה
Definition:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki

H1245 בָּקַשׁ
Definition:

1115t.;בִּקְשָׁהEcclesiastes 7:28;Esther 2:15; suffixבִּקְשָׁתַםHosea 2:9;בִּקַּשְׁתִּיוSongs 3:1,2; compareSongs 5:6;בִּקְשׁוּEzra 2:6212t.; suffixבִּקְשֻׁנִיIsaiah 65:12t.;ImperfectיְבַקֵשׁJoshua 22 1115t.;בִּקְשָׁהEcclesiastes 7:28;Esther 2:15; suffixבִּקְשָׁתַםHosea 2:9;בִּקַּשְׁתִּיוSongs 3:1,2; compareSongs 5:6;בִּקְשׁוּEzra 2:6212t.; suffixבִּקְשֻׁנִיIsaiah 65:12t.;ImperfectיְבַקֵשׁJoshua 22

Possible Meanings:
  • seek (semantic_range)
  • seek to find (semantic_range)
  • seek to secure (semantic_range)
  • seek the face (semantic_range)
  • desire (semantic_range)
H2026 הָרַג
Definition:

244t.,הָרָ֑ג2 Samuel 14:72t.,וְהָרַגconsecutiveIsaiah 27:1; suffixוַהֲרָגָ֑נִיconsecutive1 Samuel 16:22t.;הֲרָגוֺGenesis 4:25; etc.;ImperfectיַהֲרֹגPsalm 10:84t.;יַהֲרָגֿJob 5:2;וַיַּהֲרֹגExodus 13:15 244t.,הָרָ֑ג2 Samuel 14:72t.,וְהָרַגconsecutiveIsaiah 27:1; suffixוַהֲרָגָ֑נִיconsecutive1 Samuel 16:22t.;הֲרָגוֺGenesis 4:25; etc.;ImperfectיַהֲרֹגPsalm 10:84t.;יַהֲרָגֿJob 5:2;וַיַּהֲרֹגExodus 13:15

Possible Meanings:
  • slaughter (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H4872 משֶׁה
Definition:

10, wheresee also older (abandoned) etymology); —׳מExodus 2:10+משֶׁ֑הExodus 2:15+; name occurs 706 t. in Hexateuch (Exodus 290 t, Leviticus 86 t., Numbers 233 t., Deuteronomy 38 t., Joshua 59 t.),Judg 10, wheresee also older (abandoned) etymology); —׳מExodus 2:10+משֶׁ֑הExodus 2:15+; name occurs 706 t. in Hexateuch (Exodus 290 t, Leviticus 86 t., Numbers 233 t., Deuteronomy 38 t., Joshua 59 t.),Judg

Possible Meanings:
  • Moses (semantic_range)
H1272 בָּרַח
Definition:

229t.,בָּֽרְחוּJob 9:25,בָּרָ֑חוּIsaiah 22:3;ImperfectיִבְרַחJob 20:24,יִבְרָ֑חJob 27:22;Nehemiah 6:11,וַיִּבְרַחGenesis 31:2113t.; 3 feminine singularוַתִּבְרַחGenesis 16:6,אֶבְרָ֑חPsalm 139:7,יִבְרְ 229t.,בָּֽרְחוּJob 9:25,בָּרָ֑חוּIsaiah 22:3;ImperfectיִבְרַחJob 20:24,יִבְרָ֑חJob 27:22;Nehemiah 6:11,וַיִּבְרַחGenesis 31:2113t.; 3 feminine singularוַתִּבְרַחGenesis 16:6,אֶבְרָ֑חPsalm 139:7,יִבְרְ

Possible Meanings:
  • go through (semantic_range)
  • flee (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • pass through (semantic_range)
  • flee (semantic_range)
H4872 משֶׁה
Definition:

10, wheresee also older (abandoned) etymology); —׳מExodus 2:10+משֶׁ֑הExodus 2:15+; name occurs 706 t. in Hexateuch (Exodus 290 t, Leviticus 86 t., Numbers 233 t., Deuteronomy 38 t., Joshua 59 t.),Judg 10, wheresee also older (abandoned) etymology); —׳מExodus 2:10+משֶׁ֑הExodus 2:15+; name occurs 706 t. in Hexateuch (Exodus 290 t, Leviticus 86 t., Numbers 233 t., Deuteronomy 38 t., Joshua 59 t.),Judg

Possible Meanings:
  • Moses (semantic_range)
H6440 פָנִים
Definition:

23and (Ezekiel =Proverbs 21:21=edge; on2 Samuel 10:9see below)feminineface, alsofaces(asturnedtoward one); — plural absoluteמָּנִיםGenesis 32:31+; constructמְּנֵי2 Samuel 14:32+; suffix 1 singularמָּנ 23and (Ezekiel =Proverbs 21:21=edge; on2 Samuel 10:9see below)feminineface, alsofaces(asturnedtoward one); — plural absoluteמָּנִיםGenesis 32:31+; constructמְּנֵי2 Samuel 14:32+; suffix 1 singularמָּנ

H6547 פַרְעֹה
Definition:

15(3 t. in verse);Genesis 12:17212t. Hexateuch 19 t. Kings,Isaiah 19:11(twice in verse) + 3t.,Jeremiah 25:1910t.,Ezekiel 17:1712t.,Nehemiah 9:10;1 Chronicles 4:18; 2Chronicles 8:11;Psalm 135:9;Psalm 1 15(3 t. in verse);Genesis 12:17212t. Hexateuch 19 t. Kings,Isaiah 19:11(twice in verse) + 3t.,Jeremiah 25:1910t.,Ezekiel 17:1712t.,Nehemiah 9:10;1 Chronicles 4:18; 2Chronicles 8:11;Psalm 135:9;Psalm 1

Possible Meanings:
  • Pharaoh (semantic_range)
H3427 יָשַׁב
Definition:

8,19וישב,Judges 1:13ואשב,dwell; Phoenicianישבdwell; ZinjirliישבsitDHMSendsch. 58; Assyrianašâbu,sit,dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabicleap, jump, Himyer. dialectsit, Lane2919; EthiopicII. 1secum cohabitare face 8,19וישב,Judges 1:13ואשב,dwell; Phoenicianישבdwell; ZinjirliישבsitDHMSendsch. 58; Assyrianašâbu,sit,dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabicleap, jump, Himyer. dialectsit, Lane2919; EthiopicII. 1secum cohabitare face

Possible Meanings:
  • remain (semantic_range)
H0776 אֶרֶץ
Definition:

11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,) 11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,)

H4080 מִדְיָן
Definition:

2,4 (J)1 Chronicles 1:32,33.2an Arabian tribeGenesis 36:35(=1 Chronicles 1:46)Numbers 31:3(twice in verse);Numbers 31:7,8 (twice in verse);Numbers 31:9(P)Judges 6-9(31 t.); having aכֹּהֵן(as chieftain 2,4 (J)1 Chronicles 1:32,33.2an Arabian tribeGenesis 36:35(=1 Chronicles 1:46)Numbers 31:3(twice in verse);Numbers 31:7,8 (twice in verse);Numbers 31:9(P)Judges 6-9(31 t.); having aכֹּהֵן(as chieftain

Possible Meanings:
  • the land of Midian (semantic_range)
H3427 יָשַׁב
Definition:

8,19וישב,Judges 1:13ואשב,dwell; Phoenicianישבdwell; ZinjirliישבsitDHMSendsch. 58; Assyrianašâbu,sit,dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabicleap, jump, Himyer. dialectsit, Lane2919; EthiopicII. 1secum cohabitare face 8,19וישב,Judges 1:13ואשב,dwell; Phoenicianישבdwell; ZinjirliישבsitDHMSendsch. 58; Assyrianašâbu,sit,dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabicleap, jump, Himyer. dialectsit, Lane2919; EthiopicII. 1secum cohabitare face

Possible Meanings:
  • remain (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H0875 בְּאֵר
Definition:

21well, pit, mostly Hexateuch,Genesis 23t.,Exodus 1t.,Numbers 5t., 37 t. in all; Arabic, Aramaicבְּאֵרָא,בֵּיר,בֵּירָא,, SabeanבארDHMZMG. 1875, 608, Assyrianbêru, LyonSargon 61(connection with above √ 21well, pit, mostly Hexateuch,Genesis 23t.,Exodus 1t.,Numbers 5t., 37 t. in all; Arabic, Aramaicבְּאֵרָא,בֵּיר,בֵּירָא,, SabeanבארDHMZMG. 1875, 608, Assyrianbêru, LyonSargon 61(connection with above √

Possible Meanings:
  • cistern (semantic_range)

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