Exodus 2:22 (KJV)

What does Exodus 2:22 mean?

Exodus 2:22 describes how Moses’ wife gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, explaining that the name reflects his feeling of being a stranger in a foreign land. The verse highlights Moses’ sense of displacement and his awareness that he is living far from his own people.

In this verse, Moses is living in Midian after fleeing Egypt. He marries Zipporah, and when their son is born, Moses chooses the name Gershom to capture his experience of being an outsider. The name and Moses’ explanation show how deeply he feels his separation from his homeland and identity as a Hebrew.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 2:22

• גֵּרְשֹׁם (Gershom, transliterated "Gershom") is a name that sounds like the Hebrew words for "stranger" (גֵּר, ger) and "there" (שָׁם, sham), emphasizing Moses’ feeling of being a foreigner.
• גֵּר (ger, "stranger") is the word Moses uses to describe himself, often referring to someone living outside their native land without full rights.
• נָכְרִי (nokhri, "strange") describes the land as foreign or unfamiliar, reinforcing the sense that Moses does not belong.
• אֶרֶץ (erets, "land") is a common word for land or country, here pointing to Midian as the place where Moses feels out of place.

Why Exodus 2:22 matters

• This verse helps explain the meaning behind Moses’ son’s name, showing how biblical names often reflect personal experiences or feelings.
• The verse connects Moses’ personal story to the larger theme of Israel’s identity as strangers and sojourners, which appears throughout the Old Testament.
• By highlighting Moses’ sense of being an outsider, the verse sets the stage for his later role in leading the Israelites, who will also experience life as strangers in Egypt.