Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

EXODUS 2:15KJV
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Exodus 2:15 (KJV)

What does Exodus 2:15 mean?

Exodus 2:15 describes how Pharaoh, upon hearing about Moses killing an Egyptian, tried to have Moses killed, so Moses escaped from Egypt and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down by a well. This verse marks the turning point where Moses leaves his life in Egypt behind and begins a new chapter as a fugitive in a foreign land.

Pharaoh is the Egyptian ruler, and the verse shows his reaction to Moses’ actions in defending a Hebrew slave. Moses’ flight to Midian introduces a new setting and prepares for the next stage of his life. The mention of Moses sitting by a well is a concrete detail that sets up his encounter with the people of Midian, which will shape his future.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 2:15

  • The word "fled" (וַיִּבְרַח, vayivraḥ) is from the root בָּרַח (baraḥ), which means to escape or run away. This highlights Moses’ urgent need to leave Egypt for his own safety, not just a casual departure.
  • "Face" (פָּנִים, panim) in "fled from the face of Pharaoh" is a Hebrew way of saying Moses left Pharaoh’s presence or escaped his authority, emphasizing the seriousness of Pharaoh’s threat.
  • "Dwelt" (יָשַׁב, yashav) means to settle or live somewhere, not just to stop temporarily. This shows Moses intended to make Midian his new home, not just hide there for a short time.
  • "Well" (בְּאֵר, be’er) is a specific term for a water source, often a place of meeting or significance in ancient stories. The well becomes the setting for Moses’ next important encounter.

Why Exodus 2:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Moses’ departure from Egypt was not voluntary or planned, but a desperate escape from a death threat, which shapes how we understand his later return.
  • The detail about Moses sitting by a well connects to earlier stories in Genesis, where wells are places of key encounters (like with Isaac’s and Jacob’s wives), hinting that something significant is about to happen.
  • Exodus 2:15 marks the beginning of Moses’ transformation from an Egyptian prince to a sojourner and eventual leader, setting up the events that will lead to the Exodus.