King James Version

What Does Exodus 2:14 Mean?

Exodus 2:14 in the King James Version says “And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And M...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Exodus 2:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. priest: or, prince

Read Exodus 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (וַיֹּאמֶר מִי שָׂמְךָ לְאִישׁ־שַׂר וְשֹׁפֵט עָלֵינוּ, vayomer mi samkha le'ish-sar veshofet aleinu)—The Hebrew's challenge cuts deep: Who made thee a prince and a judge? Moses has no delegated authority, only self-appointed intervention. Stephen later cites this rejection (Acts 7:27-28, 35), showing Israel's pattern of rejecting God's deliverers until He validates them. Intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian?—the secret is out. Moses feared (וַיִּירָא, vayira)—now Moses fears man rather than acting courageously. Surely this thing is known—discovery brings consequences (v. 15).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The question "Who made thee a prince and judge?" anticipates Moses' later divine commission (3:10-12). What Moses attempted through human zeal, God would accomplish through supernatural calling. The 40-year gap between this rejection and Moses' return (Acts 7:30) represents God's patient preparation of His chosen deliverer.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Hebrew's challenge expose the difference between self-appointed mission and divine calling?
  2. When has your premature attempt to serve God resulted in rejection, and how did God use that to prepare you for later effectiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּאמַ֔ר1 of 20

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִ֣י2 of 20
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

שָֽׂמְךָ֞3 of 20

“Who made”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְאִ֨ישׁ4 of 20

“thee”

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)

שַׂ֤ר5 of 20

“a prince”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְשֹׁפֵט֙6 of 20

“and a judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

עָלֵ֔ינוּ7 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָרַ֖גְתָּ8 of 20

“me as thou killedst”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אַתָּ֣ה9 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וַיֹּאמַ֔ר10 of 20

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָרַ֖גְתָּ12 of 20

“me as thou killedst”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אֶת13 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּצְרִ֑י14 of 20

“the Egyptian”

H4713

a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim

וַיִּירָ֤א15 of 20

“feared”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מֹשֶׁה֙16 of 20

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וַיֹּאמַ֔ר17 of 20

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָכֵ֖ן18 of 20

“Surely”

H403

firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but

נוֹדַ֥ע19 of 20

“is known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הַדָּבָֽר׃20 of 20

“this thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

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 2:14 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 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 12:14Matthew 21:23Genesis 19:9Psalms 2:2-6Genesis 37:19-20Luke 19:14

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