King James Version

What Does Exodus 2:23 Mean?

Exodus 2:23 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

Exodus 2:23 · KJV


Context

21

And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

22

And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land. Gershom: that is, A stranger here

23

And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

24

And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

25

And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. had: Heb. knew


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage (וַיְהִי בַיָּמִים הָרַבִּים הָהֵם וַיָּמָת מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם וַיֵּאָנְחוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן־הָעֲבֹדָה וַיִּזְעָקוּ, vayehi vayamim harabim hahem vayamat melekh Mitsrayim vaye'anechu venei-Yisra'el min-ha'avodah vayiz'aku)—In process of time (בַיָּמִים הָרַבִּים, "in many days") covers decades. Pharaoh's death doesn't end oppression. Sighed... cried—two Hebrew verbs (אָנַח, anach, groaning; זָעַק, za'ak, crying out) intensify their desperation. Their cry came up unto God (וַתַּעַל שַׁוְעָתָם אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים, vata'al shav'atam el-ha'Elohim)—God hears covenant prayers. This verse transitions from Moses' story to God's response, setting up the burning bush encounter.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

If Moses was 80 at the call (Acts 7:30) and 40 at exile (Acts 7:23), this covers ~40 years. The pharaoh who sought Moses' life died (4:19), but oppression continued under his successor. Israel's cry echoes earlier cries (Genesis 4:10, 18:20-21) that moved God to action. The narrative emphasizes that deliverance comes not from human timing but divine response to covenant people's prayers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Israel's cry after decades of silence encourage you when God seems to delay His response to suffering?
  2. What does this verse teach about prayer as the catalyst that moves God to fulfill His covenant promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיְהִי֩1 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַיָּמִ֨ים2 of 19

of time

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

הָֽרַבִּ֜ים3 of 19
H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

הָהֵ֗ם4 of 19

And it came to pass in process

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וַיָּ֙מָת֙5 of 19

died

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

מֶ֣לֶךְ6 of 19

that the king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֔יִם7 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַיֵּאָֽנְח֧וּ8 of 19

sighed

H584

to sigh

בְנֵֽי9 of 19

and the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל10 of 19

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִן11 of 19

by reason of

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽעֲבֹדָֽה׃12 of 19

by reason of the bondage

H5656

work of any kind

וַיִּזְעָ֑קוּ13 of 19

and they cried

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

וַתַּ֧עַל14 of 19

came up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

שַׁוְעָתָ֛ם15 of 19

and their cry

H7775

a hallooing

אֶל16 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים17 of 19

unto God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִן18 of 19

by reason of

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽעֲבֹדָֽה׃19 of 19

by reason of the bondage

H5656

work of any kind


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 2:23 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 2:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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