And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.

EXODUS 2:19KJV
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Exodus 2:19 (KJV)

What does Exodus 2:19 mean?

Exodus 2:19 describes how the daughters of Reuel (also called Jethro) explain to their father that an Egyptian man rescued them from shepherds who were harassing them, drew water for them, and watered their flock. The verse highlights the unexpected help they received from a stranger they identified as Egyptian.

In this scene, the daughters are speaking to their father after returning home earlier than usual. They recount how Moses, who had fled Egypt and was mistaken for an Egyptian because of his appearance or dress, intervened when local shepherds tried to drive them away from the well. Moses not only defended them but also did the hard work of drawing water and caring for their animals.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 2:19

  • אִישׁ מִצְרִי (ish mitzri, "Egyptian man"): The daughters specifically call Moses an "Egyptian man," showing how his outward identity was perceived by others, which is important for understanding how he was received in Midian.
  • נָצַל (natsal, "delivered"): This word often means to rescue or save from danger. The daughters use it to describe Moses’s intervention, emphasizing that their situation with the shepherds was threatening enough to require rescue.
  • רֹעִים (ro’im, "shepherds"): The word refers to those tending flocks, but in this context, it points to the local shepherds who acted aggressively, making Moses’s actions stand out as especially protective.
  • דָּלָה (dalah, "drew [water]"): This verb is used for drawing water from a well, a physically demanding task. The verse notes that Moses did this "enough" (the same word is used for both "drew" and "enough" in the Hebrew), highlighting his generosity and effort.

Why Exodus 2:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Moses was seen as an outsider, specifically as an Egyptian, which shaped his early interactions in Midian and set up later developments in his story.
  • The verse emphasizes Moses’s character: he not only intervened to protect the women but also went beyond what was required by serving them, showing humility and kindness.
  • By mentioning the shepherds’ hostility and Moses’s actions, the verse connects to the broader biblical theme of God using unexpected people and situations to provide deliverance and care.

Where else these words appear

“drew” Hebrew H1802 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
  • Psalms 30:1 A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
  • Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

“Egyptian” Hebrew H4713 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 12:12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
  • Genesis 39:5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
  • Deuteronomy 26:6 And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

“watered” Hebrew H8248 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Genesis 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
  • Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

“shepherds” Hebrew H7462 · used in 144 verses

  • Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
  • Psalms 49:14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
  • Jeremiah 33:12 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.