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Exodus 2:10 - Divine rescue through water

Exodus 2:10 - שמות 2:10

Hebrew Text

וַיִגְדַּל הַיֶּלֶד וַתְּבִאֵהוּ לְבַת־פַּרְעֹה וַיְהִי־לָהּ לְבֵן וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ מֹשֶׁה וַתֹּאמֶר כִּי מִן־הַמַּיִם מְשִׁיתִהוּ׃

English Translation

And the child grew, and she brought him to Par῾o’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moshe: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

Transliteration

Va'yigdal ha'yeled va't'viehu l'vat Par'o va'yehi lah l'ven va'tikra sh'mo Moshe va'tomer ki min ha'mayim meshitihu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּגְדַּ֣ל הַיֶּ֗לֶד וַתְּבִאֵ֙הוּ֙ לְבַת־פַּרְעֹ֔ה וַֽיְהִי־לָ֖הּ לְבֵ֑ן וַתִּקְרָ֤א שְׁמוֹ֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַתֹּ֕אמֶר כִּ֥י מִן־הַמַּ֖יִם מְשִׁיתִֽהוּ׃
וַיִּגְדַּ֣ל הַיֶּ֗לֶד וַתְּבִאֵ֙הוּ֙ לְבַת־פַּרְעֹ֔ה וַֽיְהִי־לָ֖הּ לְבֵ֑ן וַתִּקְרָ֤א שְׁמוֹ֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַתֹּ֕אמֶר כִּ֥י מִן־הַמַּ֖יִם מְשִׁיתִֽהוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Naming of Moshe

The verse states, "And she called his name Moshe: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water." (Shemot 2:10). The name "Moshe" (מֹשֶׁה) is derived from the Hebrew root מ-שׁ-ה, meaning "to draw out." Rashi explains that Batya, Pharaoh's daughter, named him Moshe because she drew him from the water (מִן־הַמַּיִם מְשִׁיתִהוּ). However, Rashi also notes that the name should grammatically be "Mashuy" (מָשׁוּי, "the one who was drawn out"), but Hashem inspired her to call him "Moshe" (מֹשֶׁה, "the one who draws out") because he would later draw the Jewish people out of Egypt.

Batya’s Role in Moshe’s Life

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:26) elaborates that Batya was not merely a passive figure in Moshe’s upbringing but actively defied her father’s decree to drown Jewish infants. The Talmud (Sotah 12b) teaches that she converted to Judaism, and her name, "Batya" (בַּת־יָהּ, "daughter of Hashem"), reflects her righteousness. The verse emphasizes "he became her son", indicating that she raised him with love and care, despite his Hebrew origins.

The Significance of Water

Water plays a recurring role in Moshe’s life, symbolizing both salvation and divine providence:

  • He was saved from the Nile, foreshadowing his future role in splitting the Yam Suf (Red Sea).
  • The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:24) connects this event to the well of Miriam, which sustained Israel in the wilderness, showing that water is a theme of redemption.
  • Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 1:63) suggests that water represents purity and renewal, aligning with Moshe’s mission to purify Israel from idolatry.

Divine Providence in Moshe’s Early Life

The Sforno comments that Moshe’s upbringing in Pharaoh’s palace was orchestrated by Hashem to prepare him for leadership. Being raised among royalty gave him the confidence and knowledge to later confront Pharaoh. The Ibn Ezra adds that his early exposure to Egyptian culture allowed him to understand the enemy he would one day oppose.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 12b
The verse is discussed in the context of Moses' upbringing and the naming by Pharaoh's daughter, highlighting the divine providence in his rescue and upbringing.
📖 Megillah 13a
The naming of Moses is referenced in a discussion about the significance of names and their meanings in biblical narratives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Moses named 'Moshe'?
A: Pharaoh's daughter named him Moshe (מֹשֶׁה) because she 'drew him out of the water' (מְשִׁיתִהוּ מִן־הַמַּיִם). Rashi explains that his name reflects the miracle of his rescue from the Nile River, where he was placed in a basket to escape Pharaoh's decree against Hebrew boys.
Q: Why did Pharaoh's daughter adopt Moses?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:26) teaches that Pharaoh's daughter had compassion on baby Moses when she saw him crying in the basket. Despite knowing he was a Hebrew child, she chose to save and raise him, showing kindness that ultimately led to his role as the future leader of the Jewish people.
Q: What does this verse teach us about Divine Providence?
A: This verse highlights Hashem's hidden hand in guiding events. The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah) teaches that everything happens according to Divine will. Moses being raised in Pharaoh's palace—the very house oppressing the Jews—was part of the plan to prepare him to later redeem Israel.
Q: How did Moses' upbringing influence his future?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 12b) notes that being raised in Pharaoh's palace gave Moses royal training and leadership skills. However, his early years with his birth mother (Exodus 2:7-9) ensured he knew his Hebrew identity. This dual upbringing prepared him to stand before Pharaoh and lead the Jews out of Egypt.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moses being saved from the water?
A: The Midrash teaches that righteous individuals are often saved through unexpected means. Just as water represents uncertainty (like the Nile's currents), we learn to trust in Hashem even in difficult situations. Moses' rescue reminds us that salvation can come when we least expect it.