How Long Was Moses Hidden?
The story of Moses’ early life is one of courage, faith, and divine providence. Among the most striking aspects of his infancy is the fact that Moses was hidden by his mother to protect him from Pharaoh’s decree to kill all Hebrew male infants. But how long was he hidden? While the Bible does not provide an explicit timeline, careful examination of the text and historical context offers insights.
The Context of Moses’ Birth
Moses was born during a period of severe oppression in Egypt. Pharaoh, fearing the growing population of the Israelites, commanded that every Hebrew boy be killed at birth (Exodus 1:22). In response, Moses’ mother, Jochebed, acted decisively to save him. She hid him “three months” from Pharaoh’s soldiers (Exodus 2:2–3).
This act of hiding shows both the immediate danger and the trust Jochebed placed in God. Protecting an infant for several months required resourcefulness, courage, and constant vigilance, demonstrating her deep faith and maternal dedication.
The Duration of Moses’ Hiding
The Bible specifies that Moses’ mother hid him for three months:
“And when she could hide him no longer, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.” (Exodus 2:3, KJV)
This clearly establishes the period of hiding. For three months, Moses remained concealed in her home or nearby safe places, evading Pharaoh’s soldiers who were seeking Hebrew male infants. The “three months” duration reflects both a literal time frame and a symbolic period of protection and preparation for Moses’ eventual rescue and mission.
Significance of the Three-Month Period
The three months Moses was hidden carries both practical and spiritual significance:
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Practical Aspect:
Infants are extremely vulnerable during the first months of life. Hiding Moses for three months allowed him to survive past the most critical period when he was most defenseless and susceptible to danger. -
Spiritual Aspect:
This period illustrates God’s providence. Moses’ survival was not merely due to human effort but also divine protection. His mother’s actions, combined with God’s guidance, allowed him to be preserved for the role he would later fulfill—leading the Israelites out of Egypt. -
Symbolic Meaning:
In biblical numerology, periods of three often signify preparation, testing, and divine intervention. Moses’ three months of concealment can be seen as a preparation period before he was placed into the river and ultimately adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter.
Transition from Hiding to Rescue
After the three months, Jochebed could no longer hide Moses at home. At this point, she crafted a small basket and placed him among the reeds along the Nile River, trusting in God’s provision. This action ultimately led to Moses being found by Pharaoh’s daughter, who raised him in the Egyptian court. Thus, the three months of hiding represent the bridge between immediate danger and divine rescue, setting the stage for Moses’ extraordinary life.
Conclusion
Moses was hidden for three months, a period that highlights both the dangers he faced as an infant and the protective measures taken by his mother under God’s guidance. This brief but critical period of concealment reflects the interplay between human courage and divine providence, demonstrating that even from infancy, Moses’ life was under God’s watchful care. These three months not only saved Moses’ life but also paved the way for his future mission as the liberator of Israel.