King James Version

What Does Exodus 2:13 Mean?

Exodus 2:13 in the King James Version says “And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wro...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?”

Exodus 2:13 · KJV

Context

11

And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

12

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

13

And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

14

And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. a prince: Heb. a man, a prince

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.

Read Exodus 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? (וַיֵּצֵא בַּיּוֹם הַשֵּׁנִי וְהִנֵּה שְׁנֵי־אֲנָשִׁים עִבְרִים נִצִּים, vayetse bayom hasheni vehineh shenei-anashim Ivrim nitsim)—The second day marks continued involvement despite yesterday's violence. Two men of the Hebrews strove together (נִצִּים, nitsim, "quarreling/fighting")—now the conflict is internal, Hebrew against Hebrew. Moses attempts to mediate: Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? (לָמָּה תַכֶּה רֵעֶךָ, lamah takkeh re'ekha). The irony: Moses who killed yesterday now preaches peace. The aggressor's response (v. 14) reveals Moses' secret is known, showing the impossibility of hiding sin and Moses' rejection by his own people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Internal conflict among the oppressed is common under tyranny—suffering doesn't automatically produce solidarity. That Hebrews knew of Moses' killing indicates either witnesses or rapid spread of information. Moses' failed attempt to mediate previews his future successful mediation between God and Israel (32:11-14, 30-32).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Hebrews' internal strife illustrate that oppression doesn't automatically create unity or righteousness?
  2. What does Moses' rejected mediation teach about preparation needed before God can use someone as deliverer?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיֵּצֵא֙1 of 13

“And when he went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 13

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשֵּׁנִ֔י3 of 13

“the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

וְהִנֵּ֛ה4 of 13
H2009

lo!

שְׁנֵֽי5 of 13

“behold two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲנָשִׁ֥ים6 of 13
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

עִבְרִ֖ים7 of 13

“of the Hebrews”

H5680

an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber

נִצִּ֑ים8 of 13

“strove”

H5327

properly, to go forth, i.e., (by implication) to be expelled, and (consequently) desolate; causatively, to lay waste; also (specifically), to quarrel

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙9 of 13

“together and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָֽרָשָׁ֔ע10 of 13

“to him that did the wrong”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

לָ֥מָּה11 of 13
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תַכֶּ֖ה12 of 13

“Wherefore smitest”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

רֵעֶֽךָ׃13 of 13

“thou thy fellow”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 2:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 7:26-281 Corinthians 6:7-8

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