King James Version

What Does Exodus 2:3 Mean?

Exodus 2:3 in the King James Version says “And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, a...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 2:3 · KJV

Context

1

And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

2

And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

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.

4

And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

5

And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.

Read Exodus 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (וַתִּקַּח־לוֹ תֵּבַת גֹּמֶא, vatiqach-lo tevat gome)—Ark (תֵּבָה, tevah) is the same word used only for Noah's ark (Genesis 6-9), deliberately evoking salvation through water by God's providence. Bulrushes (גֹּמֶא, gome, papyrus reeds) and waterproofing (חֵמָר וָזֶפֶת, chemar vazafet, "pitch and bitumen") show careful preparation. Jochebed doesn't abandon Moses—she strategically places him where Pharaoh's daughter bathes (v. 5), a calculated act of faith. The flags (סוּף, suf, reeds) will later name the Red Sea (yam suf), linking Moses' salvation to Israel's deliverance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Papyrus reeds (Cyperus papyrus) grew abundantly in the Nile Delta. Egyptian nobility bathed in secluded river spots with attendants. Jochebed's plan relied on Egyptian custom and maternal compassion—principles transcending culture. The ark's construction shows resourcefulness and courage under genocide's threat.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the "ark" imagery connect Moses' salvation to Noah's and anticipate Israel's Red Sea deliverance?
  2. What does Jochebed's strategic faith—acting wisely while trusting God for results—teach about balancing human responsibility and divine providence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָכְלָ֣ה2 of 20

“And when she could”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

עוֹד֮3 of 20

“not longer”

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

הַצְּפִינוֹ֒4 of 20

“hide”

H6845

to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk

וַתִּֽקַּֽח5 of 20

“him she took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לוֹ֙6 of 20
H0
תֵּ֣בַת7 of 20

“for him an ark”

H8392

a box

גֹּ֔מֶא8 of 20

“of bulrushes”

H1573

properly, an absorbent, i.e., the bulrush (from its porosity); specifically the papyrus

וַתַּחְמְרָ֥ה9 of 20

“and daubed”

H2560

properly, to boil up; hence, to glow (with redness)

בַֽחֵמָ֖ר10 of 20

“it with slime”

H2564

bitumen (as rising to the surface)

וּבַזָּ֑פֶת11 of 20

“and with pitch”

H2203

asphalt (from its tendency to soften in the sun)

וַתָּ֥שֶׂם12 of 20

“and put”

H7760

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

בָּהּ֙13 of 20
H0
אֶת14 of 20
H853

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

הַיֶּ֔לֶד15 of 20

“the child”

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

וַתָּ֥שֶׂם16 of 20

“and put”

H7760

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

בַּסּ֖וּף17 of 20

“it in the flags”

H5488

a reed, especially the papyrus

עַל18 of 20
H5921

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

שְׂפַ֥ת19 of 20

“brink”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

הַיְאֹֽר׃20 of 20

“by the river's”

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

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 2:3 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 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 1:22Genesis 6:14Acts 7:19Isaiah 18:2Matthew 2:16Matthew 2:13

Places in This Verse

NileRiver · Modern: Nile River · 31.47°N, 30.37°E45 verses across 9 books
View all places in Exodus 2 →

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