Exodus 2:21 (KJV)

What does Exodus 2:21 mean?

Exodus 2:21 describes how Moses agreed to stay with a man in Midian, and as a result, the man gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses as his wife. This verse marks the beginning of Moses settling into a new life outside Egypt after fleeing from Pharaoh.

In the story, Moses had just escaped Egypt and found refuge with a Midianite priest named Jethro (called "the man" here). Moses's willingness to dwell with Jethro led to him being welcomed into the family through marriage to Zipporah. This moment sets up the next stage of Moses’s life, where he lives as a shepherd and starts a family before his later return to Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 2:21

• "Content" — יָאֵל (ya'al): This word often means to be willing or agreeable, not just passively content. Moses made an active choice to stay, suggesting acceptance and commitment to his new circumstances.
• "Dwell" — יָשַׁב (yashav): This word means to settle down or reside, implying Moses was not just visiting but making a home in Midian.
• "Man" — אִישׁ (ish): This simply refers to Jethro, the Midianite priest, highlighting the personal connection Moses forms in this new land.
• "Gave" — נָתַן (natan): This word means to give or grant. In this context, it shows that Zipporah’s marriage to Moses was arranged and approved by her father, following the customs of the time.

Why Exodus 2:21 matters

• This verse clarifies that Moses’s stay in Midian was not temporary—he chose to settle and build a life there, which is significant for understanding his transformation from Egyptian prince to shepherd.
• The mention of Zipporah’s marriage to Moses introduces a key figure who will play an important role in later events, especially in Moses’s family life and journey.
• By showing Moses’s acceptance into Jethro’s family, the verse highlights themes of hospitality, belonging, and new beginnings after hardship.