Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Exodus, Chapter 2שמות 2

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Pharaoh's decree of death is subverted from within his own household as Moses is drawn from the Nile and raised by the daughter who should have destroyed him; grown, he kills an Egyptian, flees to Midian, marries Zipporah, and names his son Gershom, until Israel's groaning finally reaches the God who remembers.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew of Exodus 2 is well preserved, with no major textual disputes affecting sense; the chapter's interest lies chiefly in wordplay and lexical rarity rather than variant readings. Several roots are rare or unique: מָשָׁה ('draw out', H4871, underlying the name מֹשֶׁה) occurs elsewhere only in the poetic parallel of 2 Sam 22:17/Ps 18:17 (of God); the verb נוּק ('to suckle', H5134, v.9) is a hapax biform of the more common יָנַק. Grammatical curiosities include the archaic 3fp perfect with paragogic nun in וַתֹּאמַרְןָ (v.19) and the possible gender inconsistency in the 3mp suffix of צֹאנָם (v.17, referring back to the daughters' flock). The identity and name of Moses' father-in-law — רְעוּאֵל here and in 2:18, but יִתְרוֹ/יֶתֶר ('Jethro') from 3:1 onward and חֹבָב in Judges 4:11/Num 10:29 — is a long-recognized crux, most plausibly resolved by reading רְעוּאֵל as a clan/ancestral name rather than as conflicting personal names for one individual. The chapter's four climactic verbs in vv.24-25 (שָׁמַע, זָכַר, רָאָה, יָדַע) are textually secure and form a deliberate theological inclusio with the chapter's earlier human 'seeing' motif.

1

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אִ֖ישׁ מִבֵּ֣ית לֵוִ֑י וַיִּקַּ֖ח אֶת בַּת לֵוִֽי

A man from the house of Levi went and took a daughter of Levi.

Narrative sequence: new scene opens the chapterוַ
The chapter opens with a fresh wayyiqtol chain, shifting the scene from Pharaoh's genocidal decree (1:22) to one particular Levite household; the anonymity of 'a man' and 'a daughter of Levi' universalizes Israel's plight before naming Moses' parents by implication only, via tribe.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְwentwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, opening a new sceneהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; simple narrative movement launches Moses' birth story with no names given, only tribal identity (contrast Exod 6:20).
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיֵּלֶךְאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; deliberately anonymous here — later identified as Amram (Exod 6:20) — the narrator withholds the name to universalize the account.
מִבֵּ֣יתfrom the house ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial prepositional phrase of source, modifying אִישׁבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct 'house of Levi' denotes the tribe/clan of Levi, not a literal building.
לֵוִ֑יLeviN proper · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive, completing the construct chainלֵוִי (H3878), Jacob's third son by Leah; his descendants become the priestly tribe — both parents of Moses are Levites.
וַיִּקַּ֖חand tookwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; standard idiom for taking a wife (cf. Gen 4:19).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
בַּתa daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Direct object of וַיִּקַּח (construct head)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; construct with לֵוִי — this is Jochebed (named later, Exod 6:20; Num 26:59).
לֵוִֽיLeviN proper · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive, completing the construct chainלֵוִי (H3878); repetition frames both parents as Levites, underscoring Moses' priestly/Levitical lineage from birth.
2

וַתַּ֥הַר הָאִשָּׁ֖ה וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן וַתֵּ֤רֶא אֹתוֹ֙ כִּי ט֣וֹב ה֔וּא וַֽתִּצְפְּנֵ֖הוּ שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יְרָחִֽים

And the woman conceived and bore a son; and she saw that he was fine, and she hid him three months.

Narrative sequence continuing the main lineוַ
A rapid string of wayyiqtol verbs (conceived, bore, saw, hid) compresses months of danger into a single breath; the clause 'that he was fine' (כִּי טוֹב הוּא) deliberately recalls Genesis 1's creation refrain, casting the birth as an act of goodness against Pharaoh's decree.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַתַּ֥הַרand she conceivedwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · הָרָה (H2029)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָרָה (H2029) 'to conceive'; marks the swift narrative pace — no courtship detail, straight to conception.
הָאִשָּׁ֖הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of וַתַּהַר and following verbsאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with article, resuming reference to the daughter of Levi just introduced.
וַתֵּ֣לֶדand she borewayyiqtol Qal 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'.
בֵּ֑ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of וַתֵּלֶדבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; unnamed here — the narrative delays naming him Moses until v.10, heightening suspense.
וַתֵּ֤רֶאand she sawwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the mother's perception initiates the hiding — echoes God's repeated 'seeing' throughout the chapter (vv.11,25).
אֹתוֹ֙himobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object, 'him')אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, resuming 'the son' as the seen object.
כִּיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the content clause (object complement of וַתֵּרֶא)כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; introduces indirect content, echoing Gen 1's creation refrain 'God saw that it was good'.
ט֣וֹבfineAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjective of the embedded nominal clause (with הוּא)טוֹב (H2896) 'good, fine'; of the healthy infant, deliberately echoing the creation formula and hinting at his destined significance.
ה֔וּאhe [was]independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the embedded nominal clause (טוֹב הוּא)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, copula-subject in the verbless clause 'he [was] fine'.
וַֽתִּצְפְּנֵ֖הוּand she hid himwayyiqtol Qal 3fs + 3ms suffix · צָפַן (H6845)Predicate verb (main clause) + pronominal direct object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a decisive protective actצָפַן (H6845) 'to hide, conceal, treasure up'; begins the chain of hidden/exposed motifs running through the chapter.
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥הthreecardinal number m · שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969)Adverbial accusative of duration, modifying וַתִּצְפְּנֵהוּשְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969) 'three'; masculine numeral governing the (grammatically masculine) noun יְרָחִים.
יְרָחִֽיםmonthsN m pl abs · יֶרַח (H3391)Genitive/accusative of measure, completing the numeral phraseיֶרַח (H3391) 'month' (poetic/older term beside חֹדֶשׁ); three months before the ruse of the ark becomes necessary.
3

וְלֹא יָכְלָ֣ה עוֹד֮ הַצְּפִינוֹ֒ וַתִּֽקַּֽח לוֹ֙ תֵּ֣בַת גֹּ֔מֶא וַתַּחְמְרָ֥ה בַחֵמָ֖ר וּבַזָּ֑פֶת וַתָּ֤שֶׂם בָּהּ֙ אֶת הַיֶּ֔לֶד וַתָּ֥שֶׂם בַּסּ֖וּף עַל שְׂפַ֥ת הַיְאֹֽר

And when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of papyrus for him, and coated it with bitumen and pitch, and put the child in it, and put it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.

Disjunctive background clause explaining the transition to active rescueוְ
The disjunctive perfect וְלֹא יָכְלָה ('and she was no longer able') breaks the wayyiqtol chain to explain motivation before the narrative resumes; the ark, made of the same materials as Noah's, casts the mother's act as another divinely-aligned rescue-through-water.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negative particle, negating the predicateלֹא (H3808), standard negative particle; negates יָכְלָה.
יָכְלָ֣הshe was ableQal perf 3fs · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause, disjunctive: 'and she was no longer able')→ Perfective: a settled, background state — the limit reachedיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; the perfect (not wayyiqtol) signals a disjunctive clause explaining the transition to the ark.
עוֹד֮any longeradv · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb modifying יָכְלָה ('no longer')עוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; with the negation, 'no longer'.
הַצְּפִינוֹ֒to hide himHiphil inf constr + 3ms suffix · צָפַן (H6845)Complementary infinitive (object of יָכְלָה) + pronominal object→ Infinitive construct: the action she could no longer accomplishצָפַן (H6845) Hiphil here 'to hide, conceal' (causative nuance beside the Qal of v.2).
וַתִּֽקַּֽחand she tookwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming the main line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the mother pivots from hiding to active rescue-engineering.
לוֹ֙for himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לPrepositional phrase, benefactive, modifying וַתִּקַּחלְ benefactive, 'for him' — the ark is built specifically for the child's safety.
תֵּ֣בַתan ark ofN f sg constr · תֵּבָה (H8392)Direct object of וַתִּקַּח (construct head)תֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark, box, basket'; the same word used for Noah's ark (Gen 6-9) — the only two occurrences of תֵּבָה in the Torah.
גֹּ֔מֶאpapyrusN m sg abs · גֹּמֶא (H1573)Genitive, completing the construct chainגֹּמֶא (H1573) 'papyrus reed'; a light, water-resistant plant material, cognate with Egyptian boat-building technology.
וַתַּחְמְרָ֥הand she coated itwayyiqtol Qal 3fs + 3fs suffix · חָמַר (H2560)Predicate verb (main clause) + pronominal direct object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָמַר (H2560) 'to coat, cover with bitumen'; denominative from חֵמָר, the waterproofing step.
בַחֵמָ֖רwith bitumenprep בְּ + N m sg abs · חֵמָר (H2564)Adverbial prepositional phrase of means, modifying וַתַּחְמְרָהחֵמָר (H2564) 'bitumen, asphalt'; used elsewhere for the Babel bricks (Gen 11:3) and the Dead Sea pits (Gen 14:10).
וּבַזָּ֑פֶתand with pitchconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg abs · זֶפֶת (H2203)Adverbial prepositional phrase of means, coordinate with the precedingזֶפֶת (H2203) 'pitch, tar'; paired with bitumen for a fully watertight seal.
וַתָּ֤שֶׂםand she putwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׂוּם (H7760) 'to put, place, set'.
בָּהּ֙in itprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בPrepositional phrase of location, modifying וַתָּשֶׂםבְּ + 3fs suffix, referring back to the ark.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַיֶּלֶד as definite direct object.
הַיֶּ֔לֶדthe childart + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Direct object of וַתָּשֶׂםיֶלֶד (H3206) 'child, boy'; the term used throughout the chapter until he is named Moses (v.10).
וַתָּ֥שֶׂםand she putwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause, repeated for the second placement)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׂוּם (H7760); repeated verb narrows from placing the child in the ark to placing the ark itself among the reeds.
בַּסּ֖וּףin the reedsprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · סוּף (H5488)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location, modifying the second וַתָּשֶׂםסוּף (H5488) 'reed(s), rushes'; underlies יַם סוּף 'Sea of Reeds', subtly foreshadowing Israel's later rescue through water.
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of location, modifying בַּסּוּףעַל (H5921) 'upon, at, by'.
שְׂפַ֥תthe bank ofN f sg constr · שָׂפָה (H8193)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)שָׂפָה (H8193) lit. 'lip'; idiomatic for 'bank, edge' of a river.
הַיְאֹֽרthe Nileart + N proper · יְאֹר (H2975)Genitive, completing the construct chainיְאֹר (H2975), the Nile (from Egyptian iotr); the very river Pharaoh had ordered as a grave (1:22) becomes the place of rescue.
4

וַתֵּתַצַּ֥ב אֲחֹת֖וֹ מֵרָחֹ֑ק לְדֵעָ֕ה מַה יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה לֽוֹ

And his sister stood at a distance, to know what would be done to him.

Narrative sequence, zooming to a secondary characterוַ
The sister's watching, expressed through a Hitpael ('station herself') plus a purpose infinitive and embedded question, slows the pace to build suspense before Pharaoh's daughter appears; it also plants the family's hidden, ongoing involvement in the child's fate.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַתֵּתַצַּ֥בand she stationed herselfwayyiqtol Hitpael 3fs · יָצַב (H3320)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol (Hitpael reflexive): a deliberate, watchful positioningיָצַב (H3320) Hitpael 'to station/take one's stand'; the sister's vigil frames her as an active, resourceful participant in the rescue.
אֲחֹת֖וֹhis sisterN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָחוֹת (H269)Subject of וַתֵּתַצַּבאָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; unnamed here but identified as Miriam in later tradition (cf. Exod 15:20; Num 26:59).
מֵרָחֹ֑קat a distanceprep מִן + Adj m sg abs · רָחוֹק (H7350)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/distance, modifying וַתֵּתַצַּברָחוֹק (H7350) 'far, distant'; with מִן, 'from a distance' — close enough to observe, far enough to avoid suspicion.
לְדֵעָ֕הto knowprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָדַע (H3045)Purpose infinitive clause, modifying וַתֵּתַצַּב→ Infinitive construct: the purpose of her watchingיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; purpose clause, 'in order to know/find out'.
מַהwhatinterrogative pron · מַה (H4100)Subject/interrogative of the embedded indirect question (object of לְדֵעָה)מַה (H4100) interrogative pronoun 'what'; introduces the indirect question.
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖הwould be doneNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the embedded indirect question→ Yiqtol (Niphal passive, modal): an anticipated, uncertain future outcomeעָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal 'to be done/happen'; passive voice leaves the agent deliberately open.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לPrepositional phrase, indirect object of יֵּעָשֶׂהלְ + 3ms suffix, 'to/concerning him' — the baby's fate.
5

וַתֵּ֤רֶד בַּת פַּרְעֹה֙ לִרְחֹ֣ץ עַל הַיְאֹ֔ר וְנַעֲרֹתֶ֥יהָ הֹלְכֹ֖ת עַל יַ֣ד הַיְאֹ֑ר וַתֵּ֤רֶא אֶת הַתֵּבָה֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַסּ֔וּף וַתִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֶת אֲמָתָ֖הּ וַתִּקָּחֶֽהָ

And the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe at the Nile, while her attendants walked along the riverbank; and she saw the ark among the reeds, and she sent her maidservant and took it.

Narrative sequence introducing the rescuerוַ
The scene shifts abruptly from the watching sister to the Egyptian court itself; the same verbs of descending, seeing, and taking that marked the mother's actions (vv.2-3) now characterize Pharaoh's own daughter, binding the two women's roles together in providential parallel.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַתֵּ֤רֶדand she went downwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause, new scene)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introducing the next major characterיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Pharaoh's daughter descends to the river, echoing and reversing the descent-into-danger motif.
בַּתthe daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Subject of וַתֵּרֶדבַּת (H1323); construct, 'daughter of Pharaoh' — an unnamed Egyptian princess who becomes the child's rescuer.
פַּרְעֹה֙PharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive, completing the construct chainפַּרְעֹה (H6547), Egyptian royal title 'great house', used as a name throughout Exodus.
לִרְחֹ֣ץto batheprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָחַץ (H7364)Purpose infinitive clause, modifying וַתֵּרֶד→ Infinitive construct: the stated purpose of her descentרָחַץ (H7364) 'to wash, bathe'.
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of location, modifying לִרְחֹץעַל (H5921) 'upon, by, at'; locates the bathing at the Nile's edge.
הַיְאֹ֔רthe Nileart + N proper · יְאֹר (H2975)Object of the preposition עַליְאֹר (H2975), the Nile; the very river Pharaoh had ordered as a grave (1:22) becomes, ironically, the place of rescue.
וְנַעֲרֹתֶ֥יהָand her attendantsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suffix · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Subject of הֹלְכֹת (coordinate clause)נַעֲרָה (H5291) 'young woman, maidservant'; plural construct + suffix, the princess's retinue.
הֹלְכֹ֖תwalkingQal ptc f pl abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate participle in a circumstantial clause describing the attendants→ Participle: durative, background description of accompanying actionהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; describes the maids strolling along the bank while the princess bathes.
עַלalongprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of location, modifying הֹלְכֹתעַל (H5921), here 'along, beside' the riverbank.
יַ֣דthe side ofN comm sg constr · יָד (H3027)Object of preposition עַל, in constructיָד (H3027) lit. 'hand'; idiomatic construct 'side of, bank of' (cf. Deut 2:37).
הַיְאֹ֑רthe Nileart + N proper · יְאֹר (H2975)Genitive, completing the construct chainיְאֹר (H2975); repetition anchors the scene firmly at the river.
וַתֵּ֤רֶאand she sawwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming princess's actions)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the princess's noticing parallels the mother's seeing in v.2.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַתֵּבָה as definite direct object.
הַתֵּבָה֙the arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Direct object of וַתֵּרֶאתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark, box, basket'; only two occurrences of תֵּבָה in the Torah (here and Noah's ark), linking Moses' deliverance to a prior act of preserving life through water.
בְּת֣וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location, modifying הַתֵּבָה/וַתֵּרֶאתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; the ark is hidden 'in the midst of the reeds'.
הַסּ֔וּףthe reedsart + N m sg abs · סוּף (H5488)Genitive, completing the construct phraseסוּף (H5488) 'reed(s), rushes'.
וַתִּשְׁלַ֥חand she sentwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אֲמָתָהּ as definite direct object.
אֲמָתָ֖הּher maidservantN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · אָמָה (H519)Direct object of וַתִּשְׁלַחאָמָה (H519) 'maidservant, female slave'; distinct from the נַעֲרֹת (attendants) of v.5a — this servant physically retrieves the ark.
וַתִּקָּחֶֽהָand she took itwayyiqtol Qal 3fs + 3fs suffix · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause) + pronominal direct object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — decisive retrievalלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the princess (through her servant) takes the very object the mother had entrusted to the river.
6

וַתִּפְתַּח֙ וַתִּרְאֵ֣הוּ אֶת הַיֶּ֔לֶד וְהִנֵּה נַ֖עַר בֹּכֶ֑ה וַתַּחְמֹ֣ל עָלָ֔יו וַתֹּ֕אמֶר מִיַּלְדֵ֥י הָֽעִבְרִ֖ים זֶֽה

When she opened it she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying; and she had compassion on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.'

Narrative climax: recognition and compassionוַ
A presentative הִנֵּה shifts the narrator's camera into the princess's own perception, and the participle 'crying' freezes the action at its most vulnerable moment; her compassion (חָמַל), not law or family loyalty, becomes the hinge on which Israel's future deliverer survives Pharaoh's own decree.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַתִּפְתַּח֙and she opened itwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; object (the ark) implied from context.
וַתִּרְאֵ֣הוּand she saw himwayyiqtol Qal 3fs + 3ms suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause) + pronominal direct object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the third 'seeing' verb in the chapter's opening scenes.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, resumptive apposition to the suffix on וַתִּרְאֵהוּאֵת (H853); resumes/clarifies 'him' as 'the child' in apposition.
הַיֶּ֔לֶדthe childart + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Direct object in apposition (resuming the 3ms suffix)יֶלֶד (H3206) 'child, boy'; the term used throughout the chapter until he is named Moses (v.10).
וְהִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing a vivid scene shift (the princess's viewpoint)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; marks the moment of emotional impact from the princess's perspective.
נַ֖עַרa boyN m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Subject of the nominal/participial clause (with בֹּכֶה)נַעַר (H5288) 'boy, youth, lad'; a different term than יֶלֶד, emphasizing the child's visible, audible presence.
בֹּכֶ֑הcryingQal ptc m sg abs · בָּכָה (H1058)Predicate participle, completing the nominal clause נַעַר בֹּכֶה→ Participle: vivid, ongoing present action perceived by the princessבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep, cry'; the crying infant's helplessness triggers the princess's compassion.
וַתַּחְמֹ֣לand she had compassionwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · חָמַל (H2550)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — an emotional turning pointחָמַל (H2550) 'to have compassion, pity, spare'; the pivot on which the child's survival turns.
עָלָ֔יוon himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, object of compassion, modifying וַתַּחְמֹלעַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, 'over/for him'.
וַתֹּ֕אמֶרand she saidwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the princess's identifying remark.
מִיַּלְדֵ֥יone of the children ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · יֶלֶד (H3206)Predicate of the verbless clause (partitive)יֶלֶד (H3206) plural construct with מִן, partitive 'from/among the children of'.
הָֽעִבְרִ֖יםthe Hebrewsart + gentilic adj m pl abs · עִבְרִי (H5680)Genitive, completing the construct/partitive phraseעִבְרִי (H5680) 'Hebrew'; the princess correctly identifies the child's ethnicity, setting up the request for a Hebrew wet-nurse.
זֶֽהthis [is]demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of the verbless clause ('this is one of the Hebrews' children')זֶה (H2088) 'this'; resumes 'the child' as subject of the princess's identifying statement.
7

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֲחֹתוֹ֮ אֶל בַּת פַּרְעֹה֒ הַאֵלֵ֗ךְ וְקָרָ֤אתִי לָךְ֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה מֵינֶ֔קֶת מִ֖ן הָעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת וְתֵינִ֥ק לָ֖ךְ אֶת הַיָּֽלֶד

Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and call a nursing woman from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?'

Direct speech: proposal advancing the plot toward reunion with the birth motherוַ
The sister's carefully phrased question, using a deliberative interrogative followed by weqatal purpose clauses, is a diplomatic masterstroke: it secures not only the baby's survival but his return, however temporarily, to his own mother's care and milk.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַתֹּ֣אמֶרthen saidwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); the sister steps forward and speaks, revealing she has been watching all along (cf. v.4).
אֲחֹתוֹ֮his sisterN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָחוֹת (H269)Subject of וַתֹּאמֶראָחוֹת (H269); resumes the sister introduced in v.4, now acting decisively.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, indirect addressee of וַתֹּאמֶראֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the addressee of speech.
בַּתthe daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Object of preposition אֶלבַּת (H1323); resumes Pharaoh's daughter.
פַּרְעֹה֒PharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive, completing the construct chainפַּרְעֹה (H6547).
הַאֵלֵ֗ךְshall I gointerr ה + Qal impf 1cs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the direct interrogative clause (main clause of the sister's speech)→ Yiqtol (interrogative/deliberative): a polite offer phrased as a questionהָלַךְ (H3212); interrogative he + imperfect, a deliberative question — diplomatic, not presumptuous, speech from a Hebrew slave-child to Egyptian royalty.
וְקָרָ֤אתִיand callweqatal (conj וְ + Qal perf) 1cs · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing the deliberative offer)→ Weqatal: a purposed future action following the deliberative question — 'and [then] call'קָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; weqatal continues the volitional/future sequence begun by the interrogative.
לָךְ֙for youprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לPrepositional phrase, indirect object (benefactive) of וְקָרָאתִילְ benefactive, 'for you' (the princess).
אִשָּׁ֣הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of וְקָרָאתִיאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; head noun of the phrase 'a nursing woman'.
מֵינֶ֔קֶתa nurseN f sg abs (substantivized Hiphil ptc) · יָנַק (H3243)Apposition/attributive noun modifying אִשָּׁה, specifying her roleיָנַק (H3243) 'to suck'; Hiphil participle solidified as the noun 'wet-nurse', in apposition to אִשָּׁה.
מִ֖ןfrom amongprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of source, modifying מֵינֶקֶת/אִשָּׁהמִן (H4480) 'from'; source domain — the wet-nurse is to be Hebrew.
הָעִבְרִיֹּ֑תthe Hebrew womenart + gentilic adj f pl abs · עִבְרִי (H5680)Object of preposition מִןעִבְרִי (H5680) fem. pl.; the sister's proposal cleverly ensures the birth mother herself could be hired as nurse.
וְתֵינִ֥קthat she may nurseconj וְ + Hiphil impf 3fs · יָנַק (H3243)Purpose/result clause verb, continuing the sister's proposal→ Yiqtol (purpose/modal): the intended outcome of summoning the nurseיָנַק (H3243) Hiphil 'to nurse, suckle' (causative of Qal 'to suck').
לָ֖ךְfor youprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לPrepositional phrase, benefactive, modifying וְתֵינִקלְ benefactive, 'on your behalf/for you'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַיָּלֶד as definite object of וְתֵינִק.
הַיָּֽלֶדthe childart + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Direct object of וְתֵינִקיֶלֶד (H3206).
8

וַתֹּֽאמֶר לָ֥הּ בַּת פַּרְעֹ֖ה לֵ֑כִי וַתֵּ֨לֶךְ֙ הָֽעַלְמָ֔ה וַתִּקְרָ֖א אֶת אֵ֥ם הַיָּֽלֶד

And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Go.' So the young woman went and called the child's mother.

Narrative sequence: swift compliance advancing the planוַ
The terse imperative-response pair (לֵכִי / וַתֵּלֶךְ) conveys immediate cooperation; the scene's dramatic irony peaks as the unnamed 'mother of the child' is fetched — the reader knows, though the princess does not, that she is summoning the boy's own mother.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַתֹּֽאמֶרand saidwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
לָ֥הּto herprep לְ + 3fs suffix · לPrepositional phrase, indirect object (addressee) of וַתֹּאמֶרלְ + 3fs suffix, referring to the sister.
בַּתthe daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Subject of וַתֹּאמֶרבַּת (H1323).
פַּרְעֹ֖הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive, completing the construct chainפַּרְעֹה (H6547).
לֵ֑כִיGo!Qal impv 2fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of direct speech (imperative main clause)→ Imperative: a direct command granting permissionהָלַךְ (H3212); the princess's terse one-word answer grants the sister's proposal immediately.
וַתֵּ֨לֶךְ֙and she wentwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212); same root as the imperative just given, a verbal echo of obedience.
הָֽעַלְמָ֔הthe young womanart + N f sg abs · עַלְמָה (H5959)Subject of וַתֵּלֶךְ (in apposition to 'the sister')עַלְמָה (H5959) 'young woman, maiden' (of marriageable age); the narrator's term for Miriam here, distinct from the more generic אָחוֹת.
וַתִּקְרָ֖אand she calledwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אֵם הַיָּלֶד as definite object.
אֵ֥םthe mother ofN f sg constr · אֵם (H517)Direct object of וַתִּקְרָא (construct head)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; unnamed here — but this is Jochebed, and the irony is thick: the mother is 'summoned' to nurse her own son as if a hired stranger.
הַיָּֽלֶדthe childart + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Genitive, completing the construct chainיֶלֶד (H3206).
9

וַתֹּ֧אמֶר לָ֣הּ בַּת פַּרְעֹ֗ה הֵילִ֜יכִי אֶת הַיֶּ֤לֶד הַזֶּה֙ וְהֵינִקִ֣הוּ לִ֔י וַאֲנִ֖י אֶתֵּ֣ן אֶת שְׂכָרֵ֑ךְ וַתִּקַּ֧ח הָאִשָּׁ֛ה הַיֶּ֖לֶד וַתְּנִיקֵֽהוּ

And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him.

Narrative resolution of the rescue plotוַ
The scene resolves with layered irony: the princess unknowingly hires, commissions, and pays the boy's own mother to do what she would have done for love alone; the rare verb וַתְּנִיקֵהוּ (a form found nowhere else) marks the climactic, tender act of nursing that secures the child's survival.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַתֹּ֧אמֶרand saidwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
לָ֣הּto herprep לְ + 3fs suffix · לPrepositional phrase, addressee of וַתֹּאמֶרלְ + 3fs suffix, referring to the mother, now present.
בַּתthe daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Subject of וַתֹּאמֶרבַּת (H1323).
פַּרְעֹ֗הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive, completing the construct chainפַּרְעֹה (H6547).
הֵילִ֜יכִיtake awayHiphil impv 2fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of direct speech (imperative main clause)→ Imperative (Hiphil causative): a direct command to carry offהָלַךְ (H3212) Hiphil 'cause to go, carry away'; distinct causative nuance from the simple Qal 'go' of v.8 — she is to take the child away to nurse him.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַיֶּלֶד הַזֶּה.
הַיֶּ֤לֶדthe childart + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Direct object of הֵילִיכִייֶלֶד (H3206).
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיֶּלֶדזֶה (H2088) 'this'; deictic, pointing to the infant present before them.
וְהֵינִקִ֣הוּand nurse himconj וְ + Hiphil impv 2fs + 3ms suffix · יָנַק (H3243)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinate) + pronominal direct object→ Imperative (Hiphil causative): the specific task commandedיָנַק (H3243) Hiphil 'nurse, suckle'; the princess unknowingly commands the mother to nurse her own son.
לִ֔יfor meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לPrepositional phrase, benefactive, modifying וְהֵינִקִהוּלְ benefactive, 'on my behalf' — the princess retains legal claim to the child.
וַאֲנִ֖יand Iconj וְ + independent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic, disjunctive) of אֶתֵּןאֲנִי (H589) 'I'; emphatic, fronted for contrast — 'and I, for my part, will pay...'.
אֶתֵּ֣ןwill giveQal impf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, promissory)→ Yiqtol: future/promissory actionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the princess offers wages, formalizing (and unknowingly subsidizing) the mother's care of her own child.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שְׂכָרֵךְ.
שְׂכָרֵ֑ךְyour wagesN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · שָׂכָר (H7939)Direct object of אֶתֵּןשָׂכָר (H7939) 'wage, payment'; Pharaoh's own house unwittingly pays for the raising of Israel's deliverer.
וַתִּקַּ֧חand tookwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947).
הָאִשָּׁ֛הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of וַתִּקַּחאִשָּׁה (H802); now clearly the mother, though still narratively 'the woman'.
הַיֶּ֖לֶדthe childart + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Direct object of וַתִּקַּח (asyndetic, no אֵת)יֶלֶד (H3206); direct object without the object marker — a stylistic variation, not uncommon in narrative prose.
וַתְּנִיקֵֽהוּand she nursed himwayyiqtol Hiphil 3fs + 3ms suffix · נוּק (H5134)Predicate verb (main clause) + pronominal direct object, closing the episode→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — resolution of the rescue sequenceנוּק (H5134), rare biform of יָנַק 'to suckle' occurring only here; the mother nurses her own son under Pharaoh's own commission and pay — the chapter's sharpest irony.
10

וַיִגְדַּ֣ל הַיֶּ֗לֶד וַתְּבִאֵ֨הוּ֙ לְבַת פַּרְעֹ֔ה וַֽיְהִי לָ֖הּ לְבֵ֑ן וַתִּקְרָ֤א שְׁמוֹ֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַתֹּ֕אמֶר כִּ֥י מִן הַמַּ֖יִם מְשִׁיתִֽהוּ

And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses, for she said, 'Because I drew him out of the water.'

Narrative resolution and etiology: naming closes the birth narrativeוַ
The naming formula (וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ...כִּי) is the standard biblical name-etiology pattern; the wordplay between מֹשֶׁה and מְשִׁיתִהוּ is placed, remarkably, in the mouth of the Egyptian princess, making Israel's future deliverer bear a name whose meaning previews the Exodus itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִגְדַּ֣לand grewwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · גָּדַל (H1431)Predicate verb (main clause, time-lapse transition)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, summarizing years in a single verbגָּדַל (H1431) 'to grow, become great'; a swift narrative jump from infancy to a weaned child (cf. Gen 21:8).
הַיֶּ֗לֶדthe childart + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Subject of וַיִגְדַּליֶלֶד (H3206).
וַתְּבִאֵ֨הוּ֙and she brought himwayyiqtol Hiphil 3fs + 3ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause) + pronominal direct object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'bring, cause to come'; the mother formally delivers the now-weaned child to the princess, completing the arrangement of vv.7-9.
לְבַתto the daughter ofprep לְ + N f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Prepositional phrase, indirect object of וַתְּבִאֵהוּבַּת (H1323); the child formally passes into Pharaoh's daughter's household.
פַּרְעֹ֔הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive, completing the construct chainפַּרְעֹה (H6547).
וַֽיְהִיand he becamewayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'.
לָ֖הּto herprep לְ + 3fs suffix · לPrepositional phrase (dative of possession), modifying וַיְהִילְ + 3fs suffix, 'to her', i.e. the princess.
לְבֵ֑ןas a sonprep לְ + N m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate complement of וַיְהִי (lamed of predication, 'became [as] a son')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the לְ of identity/role marks formal (likely legal) adoption.
וַתִּקְרָ֤אand she calledwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121).
שְׁמוֹ֙his nameN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of וַתִּקְרָאשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Predicate complement / second object, the name givenמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the folk etymology (מָשָׁה, 'to draw out') follows in the next clause, placed in an Egyptian princess's mouth — the name also resembles Egyptian ms(w) 'son/born of', as in Thutmose, Ramesses.
וַתֹּ֕אמֶרand she saidwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing the naming rationale→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
כִּ֥יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason clauseכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'.
מִןout ofprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of source, modifying מְשִׁיתִהוּמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'.
הַמַּ֖יִםthe waterart + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Object of preposition מִןמַיִם (H4325) 'water' (plural form, no singular); the water that was to be his grave (1:22) becomes instead the source of his name.
מְשִׁיתִֽהוּI drew him outQal perf 1cs + 3ms suffix · מָשָׁה (H4871)Predicate verb of the causal clause (main verb, closing the verse)→ Perfective: a completed act cited as the ground/reason for the nameמָשָׁה (H4871) 'to draw out (of water)', a rare root occurring only here and in 2 Sam 22:17/Ps 18:17 (of God); the wordplay מֹשֶׁה/מְשִׁיתִהוּ anticipates his future role drawing Israel out of the sea and out of slavery.
11

וַיְהִ֣י בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם וַיִּגְדַּ֤ל מֹשֶׁה֙ וַיֵּצֵ֣א אֶל אֶחָ֔יו וַיַּ֖רְא בְּסִבְלֹתָ֑ם וַיַּרְא֙ אִ֣ישׁ מִצְרִ֔י מַכֶּ֥ה אִישׁ עִבְרִ֖י מֵאֶחָֽיו

Now it happened in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his kinsmen and saw their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his kinsmen.

Major scene transition, formulaic time-jump to Moses' adulthoodוַיְהִי
The formulaic וַיְהִי בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם signals a large narrative leap; the doubled וַיַּרְא ('and he saw... and he saw') moves the camera from Moses' general awareness of Israel's forced labor to one concrete, provoking act of violence, setting up his fateful intervention.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it happenedwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, formulaic temporal transition opening a new scene→ Wayyiqtol: temporal-transition formula, standard opener for a new narrative unitהָיָה (H1961); the classic 'and it came to pass' formula, signaling a major time-jump — Moses is now an adult.
בַּיָּמִ֣יםin the daysprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase, modifying וַיְהִייוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural with article, 'in those days'.
הָהֵ֗םthoseart + independent pron 3mp (demonstrative use) · הֵם (H1992)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיָּמִיםהֵם (H1992) used demonstratively with article, 'those (days)' — a vague but standard temporal marker.
וַיִּגְדַּ֤לand grew upwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · גָּדַל (H1431)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, repeating v.10's verb to mark full maturityגָּדַל (H1431); repeated from v.10 but now denoting full adulthood rather than weaning.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּגְדַּל and following verbsמֹשֶׁה (H4872); first use of the name as narrative subject since its bestowal.
וַיֵּצֵ֣אand he went outwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Moses leaves the palace to visit his kinsmen — the first hint of divided identity.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, goal of וַיֵּצֵאאֶל (H413).
אֶחָ֔יוhis brothersN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Object of preposition אֶלאָח (H251) 'brother'; here 'kinsmen, fellow Hebrews' — Moses acknowledges the Israelites as his own people despite his Egyptian upbringing.
וַיַּ֖רְאand he sawwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200); Moses' 'seeing' of the slaves' burdens parallels and anticipates God's own seeing (v.25).
בְּסִבְלֹתָ֑םtheir burdensprep בְּ + N f pl constr + 3mp suffix · סֵבֶל (H5450)Object of preposition בְּ, completing וַיַּרְאסֵבֶל (H5450) 'burden, forced labor'; the technical term for Israel's corvée labor (cf. 1:11; 6:6-7).
וַיַּרְא֙and he sawwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, resumed)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a second, more specific seeingרָאָה (H7200); repetition narrows focus from the general suffering to one specific incident.
אִ֣ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of the second וַיַּרְאאִישׁ (H376).
מִצְרִ֔יan Egyptiangentilic adj m sg abs · מִצְרִי (H4713)Attributive adjective modifying אִישׁמִצְרִי (H4713) 'Egyptian'.
מַכֶּ֥הstrikingHiphil ptc m sg abs · נָכָה (H5221)Attributive participle modifying אִישׁ מִצְרִי→ Participle: vivid, ongoing action witnessed in progressנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; the participle captures the violence as Moses actually sees it happening.
אִישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of מַכֶּהאִישׁ (H376).
עִבְרִ֖יa Hebrewgentilic adj m sg abs · עִבְרִי (H5680)Attributive adjective modifying אִישׁעִבְרִי (H5680) 'Hebrew'; the victim's identity as a fellow Israelite is what provokes Moses' intervention.
מֵאֶחָֽיוof his kinsmenprep מִן + N m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Adverbial prepositional phrase, partitive/source, modifying אִישׁ עִבְרִיאָח (H251); repeats 'his brothers' from earlier in the verse, tightening the bond between Moses and the beaten man.
12

וַיִּ֤פֶן כֹּה֙ וָכֹ֔ה וַיַּ֖רְא כִּ֣י אֵ֣ין אִ֑ישׁ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת הַמִּצְרִ֔י וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּ בַּחֽוֹל

And he looked this way and that, and when he saw that there was no one, he struck the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Narrative climax: Moses' violent interventionוַ
Three quick wayyiqtol verbs (turned, saw, struck) plus a concealment verb dramatize Moses acting alone, furtively, and fatally; his caution ('this way and that,' 'there was no one') shows he knows the act is illicit, foreshadowing its exposure in v.14.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּ֤פֶןand he turnedwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; a cautious, calculated glance, not an impulsive one.
כֹּה֙this wayadv · כֹּה (H3541)Adverb of manner/direction modifying וַיִּפֶןכֹּה (H3541) 'thus, here'; paired with וָכֹה for the idiom 'this way and that'.
וָכֹ֔הand that wayconj וְ + adv · כֹּה (H3541)Adverb of manner/direction, coordinate with כֹּהכֹּה (H3541); the repeated idiom vividly conveys Moses checking for witnesses before acting.
וַיַּ֖רְאand he sawwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200); here 'observed/ascertained' rather than simple sight.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the content clause (object of וַיַּרְא)כִּי (H3588) 'that'.
אֵ֣יןthere was nonegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of the embedded negative existential clause (אֵין אִישׁ, 'there was no man')אַיִן (H369) negative existential particle, 'there is not'; Moses' visual check confirms no witness.
אִ֑ישׁmanN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of the negative existential clauseאִישׁ (H376), generic 'anyone'.
וַיַּךְ֙and he struckwayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause) — the decisive, fatal act→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a sudden, decisive violent actנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, kill'; the same verb used of the Egyptian's assault (v.11), now turned lethally by Moses.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמִּצְרִי.
הַמִּצְרִ֔יthe Egyptianart + gentilic adj m sg abs · מִצְרִי (H4713)Direct object of וַיַּךְמִצְרִי (H4713).
וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּand he hid himwayyiqtol Qal 3ms + 3ms suffix · טָמַן (H2934)Predicate verb (main clause) + pronominal direct object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — concealment of the crimeטָמַן (H2934) 'to hide, bury'; Moses attempts to conceal the body, echoing (and contrasting with) his own concealment as an infant (vv.2-3).
בַּחֽוֹלin the sandprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חוֹל (H2344)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location, modifying וַיִּטְמְנֵהוּחוֹל (H2344) 'sand'; the makeshift, hasty burial site.
13

וַיֵּצֵא֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וְהִנֵּ֛ה שְׁנֵֽי אֲנָשִׁ֥ים עִבְרִ֖ים נִצִּ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לָֽרָשָׁ֔ע לָ֥מָּה תַכֶּ֖ה רֵעֶֽךָ

And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were struggling together; and he said to the guilty one, 'Why are you striking your companion?'

Narrative sequel: internal Israelite conflict exposes Mosesוַ
A second הִנֵּה scene mirrors v.6, but now the drama is among Hebrews themselves; Moses' intervening question, using the same root נכה as the prior killing, exposes that violence troubles him equally, setting up the fatal question that follows in v.14.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֵּצֵא֙and he went outwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318); Moses ventures out again, this time among his own people.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase, modifying וַיֵּצֵאיוֹם (H3117) 'day'.
הַשֵּׁנִ֔יthe secondart + ordinal adj m sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Attributive ordinal modifying הַיּוֹםשֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; implies the previous scene (vv.11-12) was 'the first day', tightening the narrative timeline.
וְהִנֵּ֛הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the scene from Moses' viewpointהִנֵּה (H2009).
שְׁנֵֽיtwocardinal number m constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral in construct, quantifying אֲנָשִׁיםשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct form governing the following noun.
אֲנָשִׁ֥יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of the nominal clause (with נִצִּים)אִישׁ (H376) plural 'men'.
עִבְרִ֖יםHebrewsgentilic adj m pl abs · עִבְרִי (H5680)Attributive adjective modifying אֲנָשִׁיםעִבְרִי (H5680); this time the conflict is internal — Hebrew against Hebrew, not Egyptian against Hebrew.
נִצִּ֑יםfightingNiphal ptc m pl abs · נָצָה (H5327)Predicate participle completing the nominal clause שְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים עִבְרִים נִצִּים→ Participle: vivid ongoing action perceived by Mosesנָצָה (H5327) Niphal 'to struggle, contend, quarrel'; the same root recurs of Israelite strife in v.14.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
לָֽרָשָׁ֔עto the wicked oneprep לְ + art + substantival adj m sg abs · רָשָׁע (H7563)Prepositional phrase, addressee of וַיֹּאמֶררָשָׁע (H7563) 'wicked, guilty'; substantival adjective identifying the aggressor as morally/legally in the wrong — Moses acts as an impromptu judge.
לָ֥מָּהwhyinterr adv (prep לְ + interrogative pron מַה) · מַה (H4100)Interrogative adverb introducing the rebuking questionמַה (H4100) with לְ, the fixed interrogative adverb 'why'.
תַכֶּ֖הare you strikingHiphil impf 2ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb of the rebuking question→ Yiqtol: a present-progressive, accusatory question about an ongoing actionנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil, the same verb used of the Egyptian's (v.11) and Moses' own (v.12) striking — the repetition indicts the Hebrew aggressor with the very violence Moses had just punished.
רֵעֶֽךָyour companionN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Direct object of תַכֶּהרֵעַ (H7453) 'companion, neighbor, fellow'; Moses appeals to shared kinship/community as the basis for the rebuke.
14

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר מִ֣י שָֽׂמְךָ֞ לְאִ֨ישׁ שַׂ֤ר וְשֹׁפֵט֙ עָלֵ֔ינוּ הַלְהָרְגֵ֨נִי֙ אַתָּ֣ה אֹמֵ֔ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָרַ֖גְתָּ אֶת הַמִּצְרִ֑י וַיִּירָ֤א מֹשֶׁה֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר אָכֵ֖ן נוֹדַ֥ע הַדָּבָֽר

And he said, 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you intend to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?' Then Moses was afraid and said, 'Surely this thing is known!'

Direct speech reversal: rejection and exposureוַ
The Hebrew's double rhetorical question rejects Moses' self-appointed authority and weaponizes his own crime against him; the repetition of הָרַג across both questions and Moses' fearful realization (אָכֵן נוֹדַע הַדָּבָר) function as the narrative hinge sending him into exile — rejected by his own people before he is hunted by Pharaoh.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַ֠יֹּאמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing the aggressor's retort→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); the guilty Hebrew answers with a hostile counter-question.
מִ֣יwhointerrogative pron · מִי (H4310)Predicate/interrogative of the rhetorical question (implicit copula)מִי (H4310) 'who'; rhetorical — implying 'no one appointed you'.
שָֽׂמְךָ֞appointed youQal perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question + pronominal direct object→ Perfective: a completed act challenged as never having occurred with legitimate authorityשׂוּם (H7760) 'to set, place, appoint'; the man denies Moses any legitimate authority over him.
לְאִ֨ישׁas a manprep לְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate complement of שָׂמְךָ (lamed of role/function)אִישׁ (H376); the לְ marks the role into which one is 'set' — paired with the following titles.
שַׂ֤רrulerN m sg abs · שַׂר (H8269)Apposition to לְאִישׁ, specifying the roleשַׂר (H8269) 'official, chief, ruler'; a term of political/judicial authority Moses never claimed.
וְשֹׁפֵט֙and judgeconj וְ + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁפַט (H8199)Substantival participle, coordinate with שַׂר in apposition→ Participle (substantival): a standing title, 'one who judges'שָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; participle used as a title, paired with שַׂר to reject Moses' self-appointed mediating role.
עָלֵ֔ינוּover usprep עַל + 1cp suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase modifying שַׂר וְשֹׁפֵטעַל (H5921) + 1cp suffix, 'over us'.
הַלְהָרְגֵ֨נִי֙do you intend to kill meinterr ה + prep לְ + Qal inf constr + 1cs suffix · הָרַג (H2026)Predicate of the second rhetorical question (infinitive construct functioning intentively) + pronominal object→ Infinitive construct (interrogative): expresses intended/imminent action, 'are you about to kill me?'הָרַג (H2026) 'to kill, murder'; the man throws Moses' own crime back at him as a threat, revealing that the killing is already known.
אַתָּ֣הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, resumptive) of the participial clause אַתָּה אֹמֵראַתָּה (H859) 'you'; emphatic, fronted for pointed accusation.
אֹמֵ֔רintendingQal ptc m sg abs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate participle of the disjunctive clause, resuming/echoing הַלְהָרְגֵנִי→ Participle: present intention/disposition, 'are you saying/planning...?'אָמַר (H559); here idiomatic for 'intend, mean to'.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction introducing the comparison clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ, 'just as, in the same way that'.
הָרַ֖גְתָּyou killedQal perf 2ms · הָרַג (H2026)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, known act cited as precedentהָרַג (H2026); confirms the secret is already public knowledge — Moses' crime is common talk.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמִּצְרִי.
הַמִּצְרִ֑יthe Egyptianart + gentilic adj m sg abs · מִצְרִי (H4713)Direct object of הָרַגְתָּמִצְרִי (H4713).
וַיִּירָ֤אand he fearedwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (main clause) — narrator resumes→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a sudden emotional/psychological turnיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; Moses realizes his secret is exposed and his position precarious.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּירָא and following verbמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וַיֹּאמַ֔רand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing Moses' inner realization spoken aloud→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
אָכֵ֖ןsurelyadv · אָכֵן (H403)Adverb of asseveration, modifying the following clauseאָכֵן (H403) 'surely, indeed'; marks Moses' dawning, uncomfortable realization.
נוֹדַ֥עis knownNiphal perf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Perfective (Niphal passive): a completed state now recognized — 'the matter has become known'יָדַע (H3045) Niphal 'to be known, made known'; passive voice leaves the informant(s) unnamed but implies wide rumor.
הַדָּבָֽרthe matterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of נוֹדַעדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; refers back to the killing of the Egyptian, now common knowledge and the direct cause of Moses' coming flight.
15

וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע פַּרְעֹה֙ אֶת הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ לַהֲרֹ֣ג אֶת מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיִּבְרַ֤ח מֹשֶׁה֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב בְּאֶֽרֶץ מִדְיָ֖ן וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב עַֽל הַבְּאֵֽר

When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh's presence and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.

Narrative pivot: exposure, threat, and flight into exileוַ
Three rapid wayyiqtol verbs (heard, sought, fled) compress cause and effect into a single breath, moving Moses from Egyptian prince to fugitive within one verse; his arrival 'at a well' deliberately echoes the type-scene of Isaac's and Jacob's betrothal meetings (Gen 24; 29).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤עand heardwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; Pharaoh hears the very rumor Moses feared.
פַּרְעֹה֙PharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַעפַּרְעֹה (H6547); likely the successor of the Pharaoh of 1:8-22, though not distinguished by name.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה.
הַדָּבָ֣רthe matterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וַיִּשְׁמַעדָּבָר (H1697); resumes 'the matter' from v.14.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088).
וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁand he soughtwayyiqtol Piel 3ms · בָּקַשׁ (H1245)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (Piel intensive: active, determined pursuit)בָּקַשׁ (H1245) Piel 'to seek, seek to'; intensive stem conveys Pharaoh's determined intention.
לַהֲרֹ֣גto killprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָרַג (H2026)Complementary infinitive, object of וַיְבַקֵּשׁ→ Infinitive construct: the intended action soughtהָרַג (H2026); the same verb for the killing that started this crisis, now aimed at Moses himself.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מֹשֶׁה.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of לַהֲרֹגמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
וַיִּבְרַ֤חand he fledwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · בָּרַח (H1272)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַח (H1272) 'to flee'; Moses' flight begins his exile (cf. Acts 7:23,30).
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּבְרַח (resumptive)מֹשֶׁה (H4872).
מִפְּנֵ֣יfrom beforecompound prep מִן + N pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase of source, modifying וַיִּבְרַחפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; compound preposition 'from the face of' = 'away from, because of'.
פַרְעֹ֔הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of the compound prepositionפַּרְעֹה (H6547).
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁבand he settledwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'.
בְּאֶֽרֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location, modifying וַיֵּשֶׁבאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with the following place-name.
מִדְיָ֖ןMidianN proper · מִדְיָן (H4080)Genitive, completing the construct chainמִדְיָן (H4080), a region/people east of the Gulf of Aqaba, descended from Abraham through Keturah (Gen 25:1-2) — kin to Israel, yet a place of exile.
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁבand he satwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause, resumed with narrower focus)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427); repeated verb narrows from the region to a specific spot.
עַֽלbyprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of location, modifying the second וַיֵּשֶׁבעַל (H5921) 'upon, by, at'.
הַבְּאֵֽרthe wellart + N f sg abs · בְּאֵר (H875)Object of preposition עַלבְּאֵר (H875) 'well'; wells are recurrent betrothal/meeting sites in patriarchal narrative (Gen 24; 29), priming the reader for what follows.
16

וּלְכֹהֵ֥ן מִדְיָ֖ן שֶׁ֣בַע בָּנ֑וֹת וַתָּבֹ֣אנָה וַתִּדְלֶ֗נָה וַתְּמַלֶּ֨אנָה֙ אֶת הָ֣רְהָטִ֔ים לְהַשְׁק֖וֹת צֹ֥אן אֲבִיהֶֽן

Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

Scene-setting: introduces a new setting and charactersוּ
A disjunctive noun-first clause (וּלְכֹהֵן מִדְיָן...) shifts the scene away from Moses to the priest's household before he even appears, a classic biblical technique for introducing a new cast at a well — deliberately recalling Rebekah (Gen 24) and Rachel (Gen 29).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וּלְכֹהֵ֥ןnow the priest ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Predicate/dative of possession, fronted for topic shift ('to the priest of Midian [belonged] seven daughters')כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the ל + noun construction expresses possession, introducing a new character and setting.
מִדְיָ֖ןMidianN proper · מִדְיָן (H4080)Genitive, completing the construct chainמִדְיָן (H4080).
שֶׁ֣בַעsevencardinal number f abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral modifying בָּנוֹתשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'.
בָּנ֑וֹתdaughtersN f pl abs · בַּת (H1323)Subject (logical, of the possessive construction) — grammatical subject of the following verbsבַּת (H1323) plural; seven daughters, paralleling other pastoral-well scenes (cf. Gen 29:6, Rachel).
וַתָּבֹ֣אנָהand they camewayyiqtol Qal 3fp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'.
וַתִּדְלֶ֗נָהand they drew [water]wayyiqtol Qal 3fp · דָּלָה (H1802)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדָּלָה (H1802) 'to draw (water)'.
וַתְּמַלֶּ֨אנָה֙and they filledwayyiqtol Piel 3fp · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb (main clause, Piel intensive/resultative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָלֵא (H4390) Piel 'to fill'; the daughters complete their chore efficiently, before being interrupted.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָרְהָטִים.
הָ֣רְהָטִ֔יםthe troughsart + N m pl abs · רַהַט (H7298)Direct object of וַתְּמַלֶּאנָהרַהַט (H7298) 'trough, gutter'; watering troughs for flocks.
לְהַשְׁק֖וֹתto waterprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · שָׁקָה (H8248)Purpose infinitive clause, modifying the filling of the troughs→ Infinitive construct: the stated purposeשָׁקָה (H8248) Hiphil 'to give drink, water (animals)'.
צֹ֥אןthe flock ofN comm sg constr · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object of לְהַשְׁקוֹת (construct head)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep/goats' (collective).
אֲבִיהֶֽןtheir fatherN m sg constr + 3fp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive, completing the construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; this is Reuel/Jethro, named in v.18/3:1 — his priestly, Midianite household will shelter Moses.
17

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ הָרֹעִ֖ים וַיְגָרְשׁ֑וּם וַיָּ֤קָם מֹשֶׁה֙ וַיּ֣וֹשִׁעָ֔ן וַיַּ֖שְׁקְ אֶת צֹאנָֽם

Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock.

Narrative parallel: Moses again intervenes for the oppressedוַ
The scene deliberately mirrors vv.11-12 and v.13: as in Egypt, Moses rises to defend the weaker party against aggressors; the verb וַיּוֹשִׁעָן ('delivered/saved them') is thematically loaded, anticipating Moses' future role as Israel's deliverer.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּand camewayyiqtol Qal 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935).
הָרֹעִ֖יםthe shepherdsart + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · רָעָה (H7462)Subject of וַיָּבֹאוּ→ Participle (substantival): the standing occupational title 'shepherds'רָעָה (H7462) 'to shepherd, pasture'; substantival participle, rival male shepherds who harass the women.
וַיְגָרְשׁ֑וּםand drove them awaywayyiqtol Piel 3mp + 3mp suffix · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Predicate verb (main clause, Piel intensive) + pronominal direct object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (Piel: forceful expulsion)גָּרַשׁ (H1644) Piel 'to drive out, expel'; the shepherds bully the daughters away from the water, echoing harassment women face at wells elsewhere (cf. Gen 26:20).
וַיָּ֤קָםand rose upwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand up'; Moses' intervention echoes his earlier decisive actions on behalf of the oppressed (vv.11-12).
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיָּקָם and following verbsמֹשֶׁה (H4872); as in Egypt, Moses defends those being mistreated — now in a foreign land, showing his character is consistent.
וַיּ֣וֹשִׁעָ֔ןand delivered themwayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms + 3fp suffix · יָשַׁע (H3467)Predicate verb (main clause, Hiphil causative) + pronominal direct object→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a rescuing actיָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'to save, deliver'; the root underlying 'Joshua' and 'salvation' language throughout the Torah — Moses here previews his larger deliverer role.
וַיַּ֖שְׁקְand wateredwayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms · שָׁקָה (H8248)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁקָה (H8248) Hiphil; Moses himself completes the very chore the shepherds interrupted.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking צֹאנָם.
צֹאנָֽםtheir flockN comm sg constr + 3mp suffix · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object of וַיַּשְׁקְצֹאן (H6629); the 3mp suffix ('their') is text-critically debated (some contexts expect a fem. reference to the daughters), reflecting a minor gender inconsistency in the MT.
18

וַתָּבֹ֕אנָה אֶל רְעוּאֵ֖ל אֲבִיהֶ֑ן וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מַדּ֛וּעַ מִהַרְתֶּ֥ן בֹּ֖א הַיּֽוֹם

When they came to Reuel their father, he said, 'Why have you come back so soon today?'

Narrative sequence: the father's surprised questionוַ
Reuel's mundane question of surprise at their early return sets up the daughters' report, giving the narrator a natural occasion to have Moses' rescuing deed recounted within the story itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַתָּבֹ֕אנָהand they camewayyiqtol Qal 3fp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, goal of וַתָּבֹאנָהאֶל (H413).
רְעוּאֵ֖לReuelN proper · רְעוּאֵל (H7467)Object of preposition אֶלרְעוּאֵל (H7467) 'friend of God'; the priest of Midian, elsewhere called Jethro/Yether (3:1; 4:18) and Hobab (Judg 4:11) — a longstanding exegetical crux, likely a family/clan name.
אֲבִיהֶ֑ןtheir fatherN m sg constr + 3fp suffix · אָב (H1)Apposition to רְעוּאֵל, identifying himאָב (H1).
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
מַדּ֛וּעַwhyinterrogative adv · מַדּוּעַ (H4069)Interrogative adverb introducing the father's questionמַדּוּעַ (H4069) 'why'; a note of surprise at their unusually early return.
מִהַרְתֶּ֥ןhave you hurriedPiel perf 2fp · מָהַר (H4116)Predicate verb of the question→ Perfective (Piel intensive): a completed, notably swift actionמָהַר (H4116) Piel 'to hurry, hasten'; the father notices the daughters' unusually quick return from their chore.
בֹּ֖אto comeQal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Complementary infinitive completing מִהַרְתֶּן→ Infinitive construct: the hurried action specifiedבּוֹא (H935); infinitive completing the verb of hurrying, 'hurried to come [back]'.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of time, modifying the whole clauseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article, idiomatic 'today'.
19

וַתֹּאמַ֕רְןָ אִ֣ישׁ מִצְרִ֔י הִצִּילָ֖נוּ מִיַּ֣ד הָרֹעִ֑ים וְגַם דָּלֹ֤ה דָלָה֙ לָ֔נוּ וַיַּ֖שְׁקְ אֶת הַצֹּֽאן

So they said, 'An Egyptian man delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he even drew water for us and watered the flock.'

Reported speech: the daughters' account confirms Moses' deedוַ
The daughters' report, told from their limited perspective ('an Egyptian man'), lets the narrator confirm Moses' heroic action through a second, independent voice, while the emphatic infinitive absolute (דָּלֹה דָלָה) underscores how thoroughly he completed their task.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַתֹּאמַ֕רְןָand they saidwayyiqtol Qal 3fp (paragogic nun) · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing the daughters' reply→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); archaic 3fp spelling (with ן) matches the rare feminine plural forms used throughout this scene.
אִ֣ישׁan [Egyptian] manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of the verbless clause (predicate implied, 'an Egyptian man [rescued us]')אִישׁ (H376); the daughters, unaware of Moses' Hebrew identity, take him for an Egyptian — an irony given his actual origin.
מִצְרִ֔יEgyptiangentilic adj m sg abs · מִצְרִי (H4713)Attributive adjective modifying אִישׁמִצְרִי (H4713); the daughters' misidentification highlights how thoroughly Moses had been assimilated into Egyptian court culture.
הִצִּילָ֖נוּdelivered usHiphil perf 3ms + 1cp suffix · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb (main clause) + pronominal direct object→ Perfective: a completed, decisive rescuing actנָצַל (H5337) Hiphil 'to deliver, rescue, snatch away'; echoes God's own future 'deliverance' language for Israel (e.g. 3:8; 6:6).
מִיַּ֣דfrom the hand ofprep מִן + N sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase of source, modifying הִצִּילָנוּיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiomatic 'from the power/hand of'.
הָרֹעִ֑יםthe shepherdsart + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · רָעָה (H7462)Object of preposition מִן (in construct)→ Participle (substantival): standing title 'the shepherds'רָעָה (H7462); resumes the hostile shepherds of v.17.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Adverb intensifying/adding to the reportגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; adds the additional detail of the watering.
דָּלֹ֤הindeed drewQal inf abs · דָּלָה (H1802)Infinitive absolute reinforcing/intensifying the following finite verb→ Infinitive absolute (paronomastic): emphatic confirmation, 'he really did draw'דָּלָה (H1802) 'to draw water'; the infinitive absolute before a finite verb of the same root is a classic Hebrew emphatic construction.
דָלָה֙he drewQal perf 3ms · דָּלָה (H1802)Predicate verb (main clause), paired with the preceding infinitive absolute→ Perfective: a completed act, emphasized by the paired infinitive absoluteדָּלָה (H1802); the daughters credit Moses with performing the very chore the shepherds had interrupted.
לָ֔נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffix · לPrepositional phrase, benefactive, modifying דָּלֹה דָלָהלְ benefactive, 'for us'.
וַיַּ֖שְׁקְand wateredwayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms · שָׁקָה (H8248)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁקָה (H8248) Hiphil.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַצֹּאן.
הַצֹּֽאןthe flockart + N comm sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object of וַיַּשְׁקְצֹאן (H6629).
20

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֶל בְּנֹתָ֖יו וְאַיּ֑וֹ לָ֤מָּה זֶּה֙ עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ן אֶת הָאִ֔ישׁ קִרְאֶ֥ן ל֖וֹ וְיֹ֥אכַל לָֽחֶם

So he said to his daughters, 'And where is he? Why is it that you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.'

Direct speech: Reuel's corrective commandוַ
Reuel's staccato questions and imperative reflect ancient Near Eastern hospitality norms violated by the daughters' oversight; his command to 'call him, that he may eat bread' initiates Moses' formal incorporation into the Midianite household that will shelter him for decades.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, addressee of וַיֹּאמֶראֶל (H413).
בְּנֹתָ֖יוhis daughtersN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · בַּת (H1323)Object of preposition אֶלבַּת (H1323) plural + 3ms suffix, 'his daughters'.
וְאַיּ֑וֹand where is heconj וְ + interrogative particle + 3ms suffix · אַיֵּה (H346)Interrogative-locative particle with pronominal subject, the father's abrupt rebuking questionאַיֵּה (H346) 'where'; with suffix, 'where is he?' — Reuel's incredulous rebuke at their failing to invite their benefactor.
לָ֤מָּהwhyinterr adv (prep לְ + interrogative pron מַה) · מַה (H4100)Interrogative adverb introducing the rebuking questionמַה (H4100) with לְ, 'why'.
זֶּה֙is itdemonstrative pron m sg (emphatic particle use) · זֶה (H2088)Emphatic particle intensifying the interrogative לָמָּה ('why is it that...')זֶה (H2088); idiomatic intensifier following an interrogative, common in emphatic questions (cf. Gen 18:13).
עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ןdid you leaveQal perf 2fp · עָזַב (H5800)Predicate verb of the rebuking question→ Perfective: a completed (and, in Reuel's view, inexcusable) omissionעָזַב (H5800) 'to leave, abandon, forsake'; the father is appalled at the social failure of leaving their rescuer without hospitality.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאִישׁ.
הָאִ֔ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of עֲזַבְתֶּןאִישׁ (H376); refers back to Moses.
קִרְאֶ֥ןCall!Qal impv 2fp · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb of direct command→ Imperative: an urgent corrective commandקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, invite'.
ל֖וֹhimprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לPrepositional phrase, indirect object of קִרְאֶןלְ + 3ms suffix, 'to/for him'.
וְיֹ֥אכַלthat he may eatconj וְ + Qal impf 3ms (purpose) · אָכַל (H398)Purpose/result clause verb, continuing the imperative→ Yiqtol (purpose/volitional): the intended outcome of the invitationאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; hospitality — sharing bread — is the culturally required response to a benefactor.
לָֽחֶםbreadN comm sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of וְיֹאכַללֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the invitation formally incorporates Moses into the household's hospitality and, ultimately, its kinship.
21

וַיּ֥וֹאֶל מֹשֶׁ֖ה לָשֶׁ֣בֶת אֶת הָאִ֑ישׁ וַיִּתֵּ֛ן אֶת צִפֹּרָ֥ה בִתּ֖וֹ לְמֹשֶֽׁה

And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.

Narrative resolution: settlement and marriageוַ
A single verse compresses Moses' full incorporation into Midianite life — agreement to stay, and marriage into the priestly family — mirroring the swift pacing used for his birth and adoption narratives earlier in the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיּ֥וֹאֶלand he was contentwayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms · יָאַל (H2974)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָאַל (H2974) Hiphil 'to be willing, undertake, agree'; Moses accepts settled life among the Midianites — a significant, voluntary decision after his flight.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיּוֹאֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872).
לָשֶׁ֣בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Complementary infinitive completing וַיּוֹאֶל→ Infinitive construct: the content of Moses' agreementיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, settle'.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase of accompaniment, modifying לָשֶׁבֶתאֵת (H854) 'with, together with' (comitative preposition; homographic with, but distinct from, the direct-object marker H853).
הָאִ֑ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Object of the preposition אֵתאִישׁ (H376); refers to Reuel/Jethro.
וַיִּתֵּ֛ןand he gavewayyiqtol Qal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the father gives his daughter in marriage, sealing Moses' incorporation into the family.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking צִפֹּרָה.
צִפֹּרָ֥הZipporahN proper · צִפֹּרָה (H6855)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּןצִפֹּרָה (H6855) 'little bird'; Moses' Midianite wife, mother of his sons (2:22; 4:20,25; 18:2-4).
בִתּ֖וֹhis daughterN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַּת (H1323)Apposition to צִפֹּרָה, identifying her relationshipבַּת (H1323); Reuel's daughter.
לְמֹשֶֽׁהto Mosesprep לְ + N proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Prepositional phrase, indirect object of וַיִּתֵּןמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the marriage formally settles Moses among the Midianites.
22

וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֔ן וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ גֵּרְשֹׁ֑ם כִּ֣י אָמַ֔ר גֵּ֣ר הָיִ֔יתִי בְּאֶ֖רֶץ נָכְרִיָּֽה

And she bore a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, 'I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.'

Narrative resolution with etiological naming, closing the Midian sectionוַ
As with Moses' own naming (v.10), the birth of a son becomes an occasion for etymological reflection; unlike the princess's naming, however, Moses' own words voice unresolved displacement — 'a sojourner in a foreign land' — setting up the poignant reversal of the very next verses, where God 'remembers' his covenant people though Moses feels forgotten in exile.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַתֵּ֣לֶדand she borewayyiqtol Qal 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205); Zipporah, though unnamed as subject here (understood from v.21), bears Moses' first son.
בֵּ֔ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of וַתֵּלֶדבֵּן (H1121).
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand he calledwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121); Moses himself (not the mother, contrast v.10) names the child.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שְׁמוֹ.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of וַיִּקְרָאשֵׁם (H8034).
גֵּרְשֹׁ֑םGershomN proper · גֵּרְשֹׁם (H1647)Predicate complement, the name givenגֵּרְשֹׁם (H1647); popularly analyzed as גֵּר שָׁם 'a sojourner there' — the etymology in the following clause plays on גֵּר 'sojourner'.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the naming rationaleכִּי (H3588).
אָמַ֔רhe saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed act of speech cited as the reason for the nameאָמַר (H559).
גֵּ֣רa sojournerN m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Predicate noun of the embedded nominal clause (with הָיִיתִי)גֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; Moses names himself a permanent outsider — belonging fully nowhere.
הָיִ֔יתִיI have beenQal perf 1cs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the embedded clause, completing גֵּר הָיִיתִי→ Perfective: a settled, ongoing state of being described retrospectivelyהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'.
בְּאֶ֖רֶץin a landprep בְּ + N sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial prepositional phrase of location, modifying הָיִיתִיאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'.
נָכְרִיָּֽהforeignAdj f sg abs · נָכְרִי (H5237)Attributive adjective modifying אֶרֶץנָכְרִי (H5237) 'foreign, strange'; Midian, though inhabited by kin through Abraham/Keturah, is still 'foreign' to Moses — his exile is total.
23

וַיְהִי֩ בַיָּמִ֨ים הָֽרַבִּ֜ים הָהֵ֗ם וַיָּ֨מָת֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיֵּאָנְח֧וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מִן הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה וַיִּזְעָ֑קוּ וַתַּ֧עַל שַׁוְעָתָ֛ם אֶל הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים מִן הָעֲבֹדָֽה

Now it happened in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died, and the sons of Israel groaned because of the labor and cried out; and their cry rose up to God because of the labor.

Major transition returning focus from Moses to Israel's sufferingוַיְהִי
The verse pivots the narrative camera away from Moses in Midian back to Israel in Egypt, stacking near-synonymous verbs of suffering (groaned, cried out) and a repeated 'because of the labor' inclusio to build weight before God's response in vv.24-25.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיְהִי֩and it happenedwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, formulaic temporal transition opening the chapter's final movement→ Wayyiqtol: temporal-transition formula opening a new major unitהָיָה (H1961); a second major 'and it came to pass' (cf. v.11), marking a long, unspecified period — traditionally Moses' 40 years in Midian (Acts 7:30).
בַיָּמִ֨יםin the daysprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase, modifying וַיְהִייוֹם (H3117).
הָֽרַבִּ֜יםthe manyart + Adj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying הַיָּמִיםרַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; 'the many days' underscores the long duration of both Moses' exile and Israel's suffering.
הָהֵ֗םthoseart + independent pron 3mp (demonstrative use) · הֵם (H1992)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיָּמִים הָרַבִּיםהֵם (H1992), demonstrative 'those'.
וַיָּ֨מָת֙and diedwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the death of the hostile king removes one obstacle to Moses' eventual return (cf. 4:19), though the oppression continues.
מֶ֣לֶךְthe king ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Subject of וַיָּמָת (construct head)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive, completing the construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714).
וַיֵּאָנְח֧וּand they groanedwayyiqtol Niphal 3mp · אָנַח (H584)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (Niphal: an involuntary, anguished response)אָנַח (H584) Niphal 'to sigh, groan'; expresses inarticulate suffering, prior to and beneath any formal petition.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיֵּאָנְחוּ (construct head)בֵּן (H1121).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
מִןbecause ofprep · מִן (H4480)Adverbial prepositional phrase of cause, modifying וַיֵּאָנְחוּמִן (H4480), here causal, 'on account of, because of'.
הָעֲבֹדָ֖הthe laborart + N f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Object of the causal preposition מִןעֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'labor, service, bondage'; the term for Israel's forced labor (cf. 1:14; 6:9).
וַיִּזְעָ֑קוּand they cried outwayyiqtol Qal 3mp · זָעַק (H2199)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the groaning becomes vocal outcryזָעַק (H2199) 'to cry out (for help)'; a stronger, more deliberate cry than the involuntary אָנַח, often used of appeals for justice/rescue.
וַתַּ֧עַלand it went upwayyiqtol Qal 3fs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the cry rising to God pictures prayer/complaint reaching the heavenly court (cf. Gen 18:20-21).
שַׁוְעָתָ֛םtheir cryN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · שַׁוְעָה (H7775)Subject of וַתַּעַלשַׁוְעָה (H7775) 'cry, cry for help'; a cognate-sounding term further intensifying the outcry of v.23a.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, goal of וַתַּעַלאֶל (H413).
הָאֱלֹהִ֖יםGodart + N m pl abs (used as sg) · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of the preposition אֶלאֱלֹהִים (H430); the outcry rises 'to God' generically — not yet invoking the covenant name YHWH, revealed to Moses in ch.3.
מִןbecause ofprep · מִן (H4480)Adverbial prepositional phrase of cause, modifying שַׁוְעָתָם (resumptive)מִן (H4480), causal, resuming the reason for the cry.
הָעֲבֹדָֽהthe laborart + N f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Object of the resumptive causal preposition מִןעֲבֹדָה (H5656); the repetition of 'because of the labor' forms an inclusio bracketing the verse's description of suffering.
24

וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת נַאֲקָתָ֑ם וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת בְּרִית֔וֹ אֶת אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶת יִצְחָ֥ק וְאֶֽת יַעֲקֹֽב

And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Theological climax: divine response to the cryוַ
The verse's verbs of divine action (heard, remembered — with saw/knew completing the sequence in v.25) form the hinge of the entire Exodus narrative: Israel's suffering is met with a legally and relationally freighted 'remembering' of sworn covenant obligations to the three patriarchs by name.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥עand heardwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; God's hearing directly answers Israel's crying out in v.23.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs (used as sg) · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַעאֱלֹהִים (H430).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking נַאֲקָתָם.
נַאֲקָתָ֑םtheir groaningN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נְאָקָה (H5009)Direct object of וַיִּשְׁמַענְאָקָה (H5009) 'groaning'; a rare term for inarticulate distress, matching אָנַח of v.23.
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤רand he rememberedwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the theological turning point of the chapterזָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; in Hebrew thought, divine remembering is active — it initiates covenant-faithful action (cf. Gen 8:1; 9:15-16).
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיִּזְכֹּר (resumptive)אֱלֹהִים (H430).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בְּרִיתוֹ.
בְּרִית֔וֹhis covenantN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of וַיִּזְכֹּרבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the promises of land and descendants sworn to the patriarchs (Gen 15:13-16; 17:7-8).
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, specifying the covenant partnersאֵת (H854) 'with'; introduces the list of patriarchs with whom the covenant was made (distinct from the object marker despite identical spelling).
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamN proper · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Object of the preposition אֵתאַבְרָהָם (H85), the first patriarch, original covenant recipient (Gen 15; 17).
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, coordinate with the precedingאֵת (H854) 'with'.
יִצְחָ֥קIsaacN proper · יִצְחָק (H3327)Object of the preposition אֵתיִצְחָק (H3327), the second patriarch.
וְאֶֽתand withconj וְ + prep · אֵת (H854)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase, closing the patriarchal triadאֵת (H854) 'with', joined by וְ before the final, climactic name.
יַעֲקֹֽבJacobN proper · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Object of the preposition אֵתיַעֲקֹב (H3290), the third patriarch, whose sons' descent to Egypt (Gen 46) began the story this chapter now moves to resolve.
25

וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֵּ֖דַע אֱלֹהִֽים

And God saw the children of Israel, and God knew [them].

Chapter-closing theological climaxוַ
The unusually terse, object-less close (יֵּדַע with no stated object in the MT) has invited both textual and theological comment; the four-verb sequence of vv.24-25 (heard, remembered, saw, knew) forms a deliberate escalation from Israel's cry to God's fully engaged awareness, directly priming the call of Moses at the burning bush in chapter 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיַּ֥רְאand sawwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; God's seeing brings the chapter's repeated human 'seeing' motif (vv.2,5,6,11,12,13) to its climactic, decisive divine counterpart.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיַּרְאאֱלֹהִים (H430).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of וַיַּרְא (construct head)בֵּן (H1121).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
וַיֵּ֖דַעand he knewwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause), closing the chapter→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the chapter's final, resolving verbיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; relational/experiential knowledge implying active concern and forthcoming intervention (cf. Amos 3:2) — God's 'knowing' launches the burning-bush call of ch.3.
אֱלֹהִֽיםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיֵּדַע (resumptive)אֱלֹהִים (H430); the chapter's final word, closing on the note that sets up Exodus 3.