King James Version

What Does Exodus 2:5 Mean?

Exodus 2:5 in the King James Version says “And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; an... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 2:5 · KJV


Context

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.

6

And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.

7

Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (וַתֵּרֶד בַּת־פַּרְעֹה לִרְחֹץ עַל־הַיְאֹר, vatred bat-Par'oh lirchots al-haye'or)—God's providence orchestrates perfect timing: Pharaoh's daughter discovers the ark. Rabbinic tradition names her Bithiah ("daughter of Yah"), suggesting later conversion. Came down (יָרַד, yarad) to the river places her at the point of Moses' salvation. The irony is thick: Pharaoh weaponized the Nile for genocide (1:22); his daughter uses it for mercy. She sent her maid (אֲמָתָהּ, amatah, "her female servant") to fetch the ark—curiosity or compassion compels the action.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egyptian royal women had significant autonomy and wealth. Bathing rituals included servants and perfumes. Archaeological evidence shows the eastern Delta (Goshen area) was accessible to royal family members who had estates there. Pharaoh's daughter's status meant she could defy her father's decree with relative impunity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of Pharaoh's daughter demonstrate His sovereignty over even the households of His enemies?
  2. In what ways can you be God's instrument of mercy in systems designed for harm?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַתֵּ֤רֶד1 of 20

came down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בַּת2 of 20

And the daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

פַּרְעֹה֙3 of 20

of Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

לִרְחֹ֣ץ4 of 20

to wash

H7364

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

עַל5 of 20
H5921

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

הַיְאֹ֑ר6 of 20

along 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

וְנַֽעֲרֹתֶ֥יהָ7 of 20

and her maidens

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

הֹֽלְכֹ֖ת8 of 20

walked

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עַל9 of 20
H5921

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

יַ֣ד10 of 20

side

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַיְאֹ֑ר11 of 20

along 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

וַתֵּ֤רֶא12 of 20

and when she saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת13 of 20
H853

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

הַתֵּבָה֙14 of 20

the ark

H8392

a box

בְּת֣וֹךְ15 of 20

among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַסּ֔וּף16 of 20

the flags

H5488

a reed, especially the papyrus

וַתִּשְׁלַ֥ח17 of 20

she sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת18 of 20
H853

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

אֲמָתָ֖הּ19 of 20

her maid

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

וַתִּקָּחֶֽהָ׃20 of 20

to fetch

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)


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 2:5 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 2:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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