Topical Bible: Egypt: Israel in Moses Adopted and Brought up by Pharaoh's Daughter

◄ Egypt: Israel in Moses Adopted and Brought up by Pharaoh's Daughter ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The narrative of Moses being adopted and brought up by Pharaoh's daughter is a significant episode in the history of Israel's sojourn in Egypt. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus and highlights the providential care and divine orchestration in the life of Moses, who would later become the deliverer of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

Historical Context

The Israelites had settled in Egypt during the time of Joseph, who had risen to a position of power under a previous Pharaoh. Over time, the Israelites multiplied and became a significant population within Egypt. A new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, perceived the growing number of Israelites as a threat and subjected them to harsh slavery (Exodus 1:8-14).

The Decree and Moses' Birth

In an attempt to curb the growth of the Israelite population, Pharaoh issued a decree that all newborn Hebrew boys were to be thrown into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). It was during this time of oppression that Moses was born to a Levite family. His mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months, and when she could no longer conceal him, she placed him in a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:1-3).

Adoption by Pharaoh's Daughter

The providence of God is evident as Pharaoh's daughter came down to bathe at the Nile and discovered the basket among the reeds. Moved with compassion upon seeing the crying infant, she decided to adopt him, despite knowing he was a Hebrew child (Exodus 2:5-6). Moses' sister, Miriam, who had been watching from a distance, approached Pharaoh's daughter and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. Jochebed was thus able to nurse her own son until he was old enough to be brought to Pharaoh's daughter, who then adopted him as her own and named him Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water" (Exodus 2:7-10).

Significance in Moses' Life

Moses' upbringing in the Egyptian royal household provided him with a unique education and understanding of Egyptian culture and leadership. This background would later serve him in his role as leader and mediator between God and the Israelites. His dual identity as both a Hebrew and an Egyptian prince positioned him uniquely to fulfill God's plan for the deliverance of His people.

Divine Providence and Preparation

The adoption of Moses by Pharaoh's daughter is a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to work through unexpected means to accomplish His purposes. Despite the oppressive environment and the edict against Hebrew male infants, God preserved Moses' life and placed him in a position where he could be prepared for his future role as the deliverer of Israel. This episode underscores the theme of divine intervention and preparation that runs throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating how God raises leaders according to His timing and purpose.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 2:5-10
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Moses
... Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not ... Behold, the people of the
children of Israel are more ... So that Moses had from his youth vast advantages ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon ix moses.htm

The Call of Moses
... Jehovah had been used before the time of Moses, or had been forgotten in Egypt. ... name,
and how it becomes the foundation of Israel's deliverance, existence ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the call of moses.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... Moses became the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter"so that ... and rejected by the rulers
in Egypt, he, nevertheless ... he became the leader and head of all Israel. ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... Then was there a new king upon Egypt which knew ... The Egyptians hated the children
of Israel and put them to ... instead of a son and named him Moses, saying that I ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

The Ark among the Flags
... her 'there was some good thing towards the God of Israel.'. ... and taught him the wisdom
of Egypt, against which ... translated 'drawn,' of which the name 'Moses' is a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the ark among the flags.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... the young life was spared and later Moses became the ... descendants of Jacob in the
land of Egypt when, after ... in his days the children of Israel had "increased ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

Chapter xlvi
... But Moses emphasized that seventy clans were in ... in Canaan, which was a country bordering
on Egypt. ... by the geographical isolation of Israel, which practically ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... Siphtah-Minephtah"The foreign captives in Egypt; the Exodus ... of a private individual;
this opinion was adopted by Ed. ... Amon for him whom he has brought as our ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Canaan
... the God of Abraham, who was the father of Israel. One of the sons founded thy race,
saith Moses, and one ... The tribes that went into Egypt worshiped the same God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xii canaan.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... famine which occasioned his retreat to Egypt.3. The ... it was never formally ordained
by Moses, and therefore ... is thus ordained: "The children of Israel shall keep ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm