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.