Exodus 2:3
"And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And when she could no longer hide him,.... Because of her neighbours, who might hear the crying of the child, or because of the diligent search made by Pharaoh's officers, which some think was made every three months: the Jews (a) have a notion that his mother was delivered of him at six months' end, and therefore when the other three months were up women usually go with child, she could hide him no longer, a birth of a child being then expected, and would be inquired

about: she took for him an ark of bulrushes; the word, according to Kimchi (b), signifies a kind of wood exceeding light, so Gersom and Ben Melech; an Arabic writer (c) calls it an ark of wood; it is generally taken to be the "papyrus" or reed of Egypt, which grew upon the banks of the Nile, and of which, many writers say, small vessels or little ships were made; see Gill on Isa 18:2 . and daubed it with slime and with pitch; with pitch without and slime within, as Jarchi observes; which being of a glutinous nature, made the rushes or reeds stick close together, and so kept out the water: and put the child therein; committing it to the care and providence of God, hoping and believing that by some means or another it would be preserved; for this, no doubt, was done in faith, as was the hiding him three months, to which the apostle ascribes that, Heb 11:23 . and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink; among the sedge, weeds, and rushes, that grew upon the banks of the river Nile; there she laid it, that it might not be carried away with the stream of the river, and that it might be seen and taken up by somebody that would have compassion on it, and take care of it: the Arabic writers (d) say, that Jochebed made an ark of the papyrus, though in the law it is said to be of cork, and pitched within and without, and put the child into it, and laid it on the bank of the Nile, where the water was not so deep, by the city Tzan (or Zoan, that is, Tanis), which was the metropolis of the Tanitic nome; but very wrongly adds, that it might be killed by the dashing of the waves, and she might not see its death. (a) Targum Jon. & Jarchi in loc. (b) Sepher Shorash. rad. (c) Elmacius apud Hottinger. p. 402. (d) Patricides, p. 25. Elmacinus, p. 46. apud Hottinger. Smegma, c. 8. p. 400.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H3201 יָכֹל
Definition:

268t.;יָכוֺל1 Samuel 4:152t.; 3 feminine singularיָ˜כְלָהGenesis 36:7;Exodus 2:3; 2masculine singularוְיָכָלְתָּ֫Exodus 18:23; 1singularיָכֹלְתִּיGenesis 30:82t.; suffixיְכָלְתִּיוPsalm 13:5; 3pluralי 268t.;יָכוֺל1 Samuel 4:152t.; 3 feminine singularיָ˜כְלָהGenesis 36:7;Exodus 2:3; 2masculine singularוְיָכָלְתָּ֫Exodus 18:23; 1singularיָכֹלְתִּיGenesis 30:82t.; suffixיְכָלְתִּיוPsalm 13:5; 3pluralי

Possible Meanings:
  • be able (semantic_range)
H5750 עוֹד
Definition:

FrMM 256)עֹד,substantivea going round, continuance, but used mostly asadverb accusativestill, yet, again, besides: with suffixעוֺדֶנִּי(with apparently verbal form, like׃אֵינֶנִּיOl§ 222 gSta§ 352 bKö FrMM 256)עֹד,substantivea going round, continuance, but used mostly asadverb accusativestill, yet, again, besides: with suffixעוֺדֶנִּי(with apparently verbal form, like׃אֵינֶנִּיOl§ 222 gSta§ 352 bKö

H6845 צָפַן
Definition:

16: 2masculine singularצָפַנְתָּJob 10:13+, etc.;ImperfectיִצְמֹּןJob 21:19+Proverbs 2:7Qr (Ktרצפן), suffixיִצְמְּנֵנִיPsalm 27:5, etc.;Participle activeplural suffixצֹפְנֶיהָProverbs 27:16;passiveצָפ 16: 2masculine singularצָפַנְתָּJob 10:13+, etc.;ImperfectיִצְמֹּןJob 21:19+Proverbs 2:7Qr (Ktרצפן), suffixיִצְמְּנֵנִיPsalm 27:5, etc.;Participle activeplural suffixצֹפְנֶיהָProverbs 27:16;passiveצָפ

Possible Meanings:
  • hide (semantic_range)
  • treasure up (semantic_range)
  • hide (semantic_range)
  • lie hid (semantic_range)
  • lurk (semantic_range)
H3947 לָקַח
Definition:

22+,לָקָח֑Genesis 27:36+ (קָחEzekiel 17:5is textual error; omitted byᵐ5ᵑ6Co, compare Ges§ 19, 3. a); suffixלְקָחַנִיGenesis 24:7,לְקָחָםJeremiah 27:20(forקָחָםHosea 11:3read probablyאֶקָּחֵםᵐ5ᵑ7Ew St 22+,לָקָח֑Genesis 27:36+ (קָחEzekiel 17:5is textual error; omitted byᵐ5ᵑ6Co, compare Ges§ 19, 3. a); suffixלְקָחַנִיGenesis 24:7,לְקָחָםJeremiah 27:20(forקָחָםHosea 11:3read probablyאֶקָּחֵםᵐ5ᵑ7Ew St

Possible Meanings:
  • learning (semantic_range)
  • teaching (semantic_range)
  • what is received (semantic_range)
  • instruction (semantic_range)
  • teaching (semantic_range)
H8392 תֵּבָה
Definition:

1+; constructתֵּבַתGenesis 6:14;Exodus 2:3; — vessel in which infant Moses was laid among reedsExodus 2:3(made of papyrus,גֹּמֶא),Exodus 2:5(both E;ᵐ5θῖβις,θήβη, compare LewyFremdw. 100); vessel which 1+; constructתֵּבַתGenesis 6:14;Exodus 2:3; — vessel in which infant Moses was laid among reedsExodus 2:3(made of papyrus,גֹּמֶא),Exodus 2:5(both E;ᵐ5θῖβις,θήβη, compare LewyFremdw. 100); vessel which

Possible Meanings:
  • ark (semantic_range)
  • chest (semantic_range)
  • box (semantic_range)
H1573 גֹּמֶאִ
Definition:

11rush, reed, papyrus(compare Löwp. 55) (Late Hebrewגּוֺמֶא, Ethiopicloan-word, according to Di; — name fromswallowing, sucking up, water? so Thes, compare CheIsaiah 18:2and elsewhere; = Copticgome, s 11rush, reed, papyrus(compare Löwp. 55) (Late Hebrewגּוֺמֶא, Ethiopicloan-word, according to Di; — name fromswallowing, sucking up, water? so Thes, compare CheIsaiah 18:2and elsewhere; = Copticgome, s

H2560 חָמַר
Definition:

A primitive root; properly, to boil up; hence, to ferment (with scum); to glow (with redness); as denominative (fromchemar) to smear with pitch -- daub, befoul, be red, trouble.see HEBREWchemarBrown-D A primitive root; properly, to boil up; hence, to ferment (with scum); to glow (with redness); as denominative (fromchemar) to smear with pitch -- daub, befoul, be red, trouble.see HEBREWchemarBrown-D

Possible Meanings:
  • wine (semantic_range)
H2564 חֵמָר
Definition:

32t.; used for cement in building BabelGenesis 11:3(J); abounding in vale of Siddim׳בֶּאֱרֹת בֶּאֱרֹת חGenesis 14:10; used in coating Moses' 'ark' of bulrushesExodus 2:3(E; ""זָ֑פֶת).Topical LexiconSu 32t.; used for cement in building BabelGenesis 11:3(J); abounding in vale of Siddim׳בֶּאֱרֹת בֶּאֱרֹת חGenesis 14:10; used in coating Moses' 'ark' of bulrushesExodus 2:3(E; ""זָ֑פֶת).Topical LexiconSu

Possible Meanings:
  • wine (semantic_range)
H2203 זֶפֶת
Definition:

From an unused root (meaning to liquify); asphalt (from its tendency to soften in the sun) -- pitch.Brown-Driver-Briggsזֶ֫פֶתnoun feminineIsaiah 34:9pitch(compare on formative Ol§ 164 c) Sta§ 187 a. W From an unused root (meaning to liquify); asphalt (from its tendency to soften in the sun) -- pitch.Brown-Driver-Briggsזֶ֫פֶתnoun feminineIsaiah 34:9pitch(compare on formative Ol§ 164 c) Sta§ 187 a. W

H7760 שׂוּם
Definition:

582verbput, place, set(compare NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 532; Late HebrewסוּסPi`eldesignate, fix,שׂוםEcclus 45:5c; Ecclus 49:6; Phoenicianשם, Assyrianšâmu. fix, determine;Sabeanשׂיםset, set up, SabDenkmNo. 582verbput, place, set(compare NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 532; Late HebrewסוּסPi`eldesignate, fix,שׂוםEcclus 45:5c; Ecclus 49:6; Phoenicianשם, Assyrianšâmu. fix, determine;Sabeanשׂיםset, set up, SabDenkmNo.

Possible Meanings:
  • make (semantic_range)
  • make (semantic_range)
  • make (semantic_range)
  • appoint (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)
H3206 יֶלֶד
Definition:

8child, son, boy, youth; —יֶּ֫לֶדabsoluteGenesis 4:23+; constructJeremiah 31:20;יָ֫לֶדGenesis 21:16+; pluralיְלָדִיםGenesis 33:1+; constructיַלְדֵיExodus 2:62t.;יִלְדֵיֿIsaiah 57:4; suffixיְלָדַיGenes 8child, son, boy, youth; —יֶּ֫לֶדabsoluteGenesis 4:23+; constructJeremiah 31:20;יָ֫לֶדGenesis 21:16+; pluralיְלָדִיםGenesis 33:1+; constructיַלְדֵיExodus 2:62t.;יִלְדֵיֿIsaiah 57:4; suffixיְלָדַיGenes

H7760 שׂוּם
Definition:

582verbput, place, set(compare NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 532; Late HebrewסוּסPi`eldesignate, fix,שׂוםEcclus 45:5c; Ecclus 49:6; Phoenicianשם, Assyrianšâmu. fix, determine;Sabeanשׂיםset, set up, SabDenkmNo. 582verbput, place, set(compare NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 532; Late HebrewסוּסPi`eldesignate, fix,שׂוםEcclus 45:5c; Ecclus 49:6; Phoenicianשם, Assyrianšâmu. fix, determine;Sabeanשׂיםset, set up, SabDenkmNo.

Possible Meanings:
  • make (semantic_range)
  • make (semantic_range)
  • make (semantic_range)
  • appoint (semantic_range)
H5488 סוּף
Definition:

6reeds, rushes(collective) (probably loan-word from Egyptian‰wfi,reeds, SteindBAS i. 603ErmanZMG xivi (1892), 122; Semitic according to WMMAs. u.Eur.101); —1rushes, in NileExodus 2:3,5 (E);קָנֶה וָסוּ 6reeds, rushes(collective) (probably loan-word from Egyptian‰wfi,reeds, SteindBAS i. 603ErmanZMG xivi (1892), 122; Semitic according to WMMAs. u.Eur.101); —1rushes, in NileExodus 2:3,5 (E);קָנֶה וָסוּ

Possible Meanings:
  • end (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)
H8193 שָׂפָה
Definition:

32,edge, compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 76],lip, speech, edge; — absolute׳שׂGenesis 11:1+, constructשְׂפַתGenesis 11:7+; suffixשְׂפָתוֺ1 Kings 7:23+, etc.; oftener dualשְׂפָתַיִםIsaiah 6:5+, constructשִׂ 32,edge, compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 76],lip, speech, edge; — absolute׳שׂGenesis 11:1+, constructשְׂפַתGenesis 11:7+; suffixשְׂפָתוֺ1 Kings 7:23+, etc.; oftener dualשְׂפָתַיִםIsaiah 6:5+, constructשִׂ

Possible Meanings:
  • sweep bare (semantic_range)
  • be wind-swept (semantic_range)
  • bare (semantic_range)
  • his bones are laid bare (semantic_range)
H2975 יְאֹר
Definition:

21streamof the Nile,stream, canal(Egyptian loan-word = Egyptian°iotr, °io°r,watercourse, Copticeioor, ior; also°iotr±o, °io°r±o, Copticeiero, iaro,Nile, SteindBAs i. 612; in Assyriania°uru,stream,°Iar 21streamof the Nile,stream, canal(Egyptian loan-word = Egyptian°iotr, °io°r,watercourse, Copticeioor, ior; also°iotr±o, °io°r±o, Copticeiero, iaro,Nile, SteindBAs i. 612; in Assyriania°uru,stream,°Iar

Possible Meanings:
  • stream of the Nile (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

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