Compassion and Sympathy: Pharaoh's Daughter
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Topical Encyclopedia
Pharaoh's daughter is a notable figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of compassion and sympathy. Her actions are recorded in the Book of Exodus, where she plays a pivotal role in the early life of Moses, the future leader and prophet of Israel.

Biblical Account

The account of Pharaoh's daughter is found in Exodus 2:1-10. During a time when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, Pharaoh issued a decree that all newborn Hebrew boys were to be thrown into the Nile River to control the population of the Israelites (Exodus 1:22). In this context of oppression and fear, a Levite woman gave birth to a son and hid him for three months. When she could no longer conceal him, she placed him in a papyrus basket and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:3).

Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, accompanied by her attendants. As she walked along the riverbank, she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to retrieve it. Upon opening the basket, she found the baby crying, and the Scripture notes her reaction: "She took pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrew children'" (Exodus 2:6). Her compassion led her to defy her father's edict and save the child.

Acts of Compassion

Pharaoh's daughter's decision to save Moses is a profound act of compassion and sympathy. Despite being a member of the Egyptian royal family, she recognized the humanity and vulnerability of the Hebrew child. Her willingness to act against the decree of her own father highlights her moral courage and empathy.

She not only spared Moses' life but also ensured his well-being by allowing his biological mother to nurse him. Moses' sister, who had been watching from a distance, approached Pharaoh's daughter and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. Pharaoh's daughter agreed, unknowingly reuniting Moses with his mother (Exodus 2:7-9).

Adoption and Naming

After the child grew older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her own son. She named him Moses, saying, "Because I drew him out of the water" (Exodus 2:10). This act of adoption further demonstrates her compassion, as she took responsibility for a child who was not her own, raising him in the Egyptian court with all the privileges and education that entailed.

Theological Implications

Pharaoh's daughter's actions can be seen as part of God's providential plan for the deliverance of Israel. Her compassion and sympathy were instrumental in preserving the life of Moses, who would later lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. Her account serves as a reminder of how acts of kindness and empathy can have far-reaching consequences in the unfolding of God's purposes.

In the broader biblical narrative, Pharaoh's daughter exemplifies the virtue of compassion, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. Her willingness to act with mercy and kindness, even in a context where such actions were countercultural, aligns with the biblical call to love and care for others, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 2:6
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Ark among the Flags
... spirit from being broken by oppression, and would give him a keener sympathy with
his ... God, who put the compassion into the heart of Pharaoh's dusky daughter ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the ark among the flags.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... severity of, [2959]399; tender aid given by, [2960]400; sympathy of, [2961 ... 3012]520;
poured on Moses in his babyhood, wrought in Pharaoh's daughter, [3013]483 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... will be seen that the name of the daughter of Amon ... Pharaoh is the son of a god, chosen
by his ... to the spectator, and at the first view alienates his sympathy. ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Resources
How should Christians respond to global poverty and hunger? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about caregiving? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.org

Compassion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Compassion

Compassion and Sympathy: Christ Set an Example of

Compassion and Sympathy: David

Compassion and Sympathy: Elijah

Compassion and Sympathy: Exercise Towards: Enemies

Compassion and Sympathy: Exercise Towards: Saints

Compassion and Sympathy: Exercise Towards: The Afflicted

Compassion and Sympathy: Exercise Towards: The Chastened

Compassion and Sympathy: Exercise Towards: The Poor

Compassion and Sympathy: Exercise Towards: The Weak

Compassion and Sympathy: Exhortation To

Compassion and Sympathy: Illustrated

Compassion and Sympathy: Inseparable from Love to God

Compassion and Sympathy: Jews

Compassion and Sympathy: Job

Compassion and Sympathy: Job's Friends

Compassion and Sympathy: Motives to The Compassion of God

Compassion and Sympathy: Motives to The Sense of Our Infirmities

Compassion and Sympathy: Nehemiah

Compassion and Sympathy: Paul

Compassion and Sympathy: Pharaoh's Daughter

Compassion and Sympathy: Promise to Those Who Show

Compassion and Sympathy: Shobi

Compassion and Sympathy: The Wicked Made to Feel, for Saints

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: An Encouragement to Prayer

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Manifested for The: Afflicted

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Manifested for The: Diseased

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Manifested for The: Perishing Sinners

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Manifested for The: Poor

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Manifested for The: Tempted

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Manifested for The: Weak in Faith

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Manifested for The: Weary and Heavy-Laden

The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Necessary to his Priestly office

Related Terms

Compassionate (22 Occurrences)

Moved (316 Occurrences)

Felt (40 Occurrences)

Feel (58 Occurrences)

Towards (416 Occurrences)

Touched (96 Occurrences)

Pitiful (5 Occurrences)

Sympathy (15 Occurrences)

Anything (462 Occurrences)

Sorry (27 Occurrences)

Mercy (467 Occurrences)

Crowd (166 Occurrences)

Pity (165 Occurrences)

Merciful (53 Occurrences)

Multitude (352 Occurrences)

Kindnesses (11 Occurrences)

Offenses (23 Occurrences)

Wondrous (41 Occurrences)

Wherever (107 Occurrences)

Fellow-bondman (6 Occurrences)

Transgressions (64 Occurrences)

Throng (21 Occurrences)

Transgressed (44 Occurrences)

Ruth (19 Occurrences)

Relent (15 Occurrences)

Bier (3 Occurrences)

Continue (144 Occurrences)

Conquerors (4 Occurrences)

Already (171 Occurrences)

Ashore (11 Occurrences)

Solution (1 Occurrence)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Stayed (169 Occurrences)

Infirm (25 Occurrences)

Objects (30 Occurrences)

Gracious (106 Occurrences)

Large (235 Occurrences)

Whereby (46 Occurrences)

Concern (35 Occurrences)

Fasting (34 Occurrences)

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)

Debt (48 Occurrences)

Scattered (122 Occurrences)

Kindness (295 Occurrences)

Tender (66 Occurrences)

Faint (76 Occurrences)

Nought (104 Occurrences)

Captive (123 Occurrences)

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)

Eat (690 Occurrences)

Compassing (6 Occurrences)

Nothing (769 Occurrences)

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Often (74 Occurrences)

Grant (87 Occurrences)

Mercies (62 Occurrences)

Aside (416 Occurrences)

Goods (231 Occurrences)

Shew (226 Occurrences)

Forgive (81 Occurrences)

Seeing (442 Occurrences)

Iniquities (59 Occurrences)

Sees (135 Occurrences)

Sheep (413 Occurrences)

Love (703 Occurrences)

Cast (640 Occurrences)

Yearning (3 Occurrences)

Vinegar (11 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Vileness (5 Occurrences)

Vindicate (18 Occurrences)

Zeboiim (7 Occurrences)

Kisses (12 Occurrences)

Kissed (26 Occurrences)

Shut (237 Occurrences)

Nero

Unfailing (29 Occurrences)

Compassion and Sympathy: Paul
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