And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

EXODUS 2:10KJV
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Exodus 2:10 (KJV)

What does Exodus 2:10 mean?

Exodus 2:10 tells how the child Moses, after being cared for by his birth mother, was brought to Pharaoh’s daughter and officially became her son. Pharaoh’s daughter named him Moses, explaining that the name came from her drawing him out of the water.

This verse describes a turning point in Moses’ early life: he moves from his Hebrew family into the Egyptian royal household. The story is told from the perspective of Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopts Moses and gives him a name that reflects how she found him. The verse highlights both Moses’ Hebrew origins and his new Egyptian identity.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 2:10

  • מֹשֶׁה (mosheh, "Moses"): The name is explained by Pharaoh’s daughter as being related to the act of drawing out, connecting Moses’ identity to the way he was rescued from the river.
  • מָשָׁה (mashah, "drew"): This verb means "to draw out" and is the reason Pharaoh’s daughter gives for naming him Moses. The wordplay links Moses’ name directly to his rescue from the water.
  • מַיִם (mayim, "water"): The mention of water emphasizes the dramatic setting of Moses’ rescue and the significance of the Nile in the story.

Why Exodus 2:10 matters

  • Exodus 2:10 clarifies that Moses’ Egyptian name is rooted in a Hebrew word, showing a blend of his Hebrew heritage and Egyptian upbringing.
  • The verse shows how Moses’ life is shaped by both his birth family and his adoptive royal family, setting up his unique role later in the story.
  • This moment connects to the larger theme of deliverance in Exodus, as Moses’ own rescue from water foreshadows his future role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

Where else these words appear

“drew” Hebrew H4871 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
  • Psalms 18:16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

“child” Hebrew H3206 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

“grew” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 22:5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
  • Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.