Who Named Moses?
The story of Moses, one of the most influential figures in biblical history, begins with his birth during a time of great oppression in Egypt. His life is marked not only by his role as a prophet and leader of the Israelites but also by the circumstances surrounding his naming. Understanding who named Moses provides insight into the cultural and historical context of the time.
The Birth of Moses
Moses was born to a Hebrew family at a time when Pharaoh had decreed that all newborn Hebrew boys were to be killed. To protect him from this decree, his mother, Jochebed, carefully hid him for three months. When hiding him became impossible, she placed him in a basket made of bulrushes and set it afloat on the Nile River, trusting in God’s providence to safeguard her child.
Pharaoh’s Daughter Finds Moses
The basket was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter while she was bathing in the Nile. Seeing the baby and realizing he was a Hebrew child, she took pity on him. This moment was pivotal, as it ensured the survival of Moses and ultimately allowed him to grow up in the Egyptian royal household, which shaped his early life and education.
Naming of Moses
The name “Moses” is directly linked to Pharaoh’s daughter, as recorded in Exodus 2:10:
“And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses, saying, ‘Because I drew him out of the water.’”
The Hebrew name “Moshe” (Moses) is believed to derive from the Egyptian word “mes” or “mose”, meaning “born of” or “son.” Pharaoh’s daughter named him Moses as a reflection of the act of rescuing him from the water. It was customary in the ancient Near East to associate names with significant events, and this naming illustrates both a personal and cultural acknowledgment of the circumstances of his survival.
The Role of Naming in Moses’ Life
Being named by Pharaoh’s daughter carried profound significance. It symbolized Moses’ dual identity: born a Hebrew but raised in the Egyptian royal household. This duality was central to his later role as a mediator between the Egyptians and the Israelites and as the leader who would eventually deliver the Israelites from slavery.
Conclusion
Moses was named by Pharaoh’s daughter, an act rooted in compassion and circumstantial necessity. The name Moses not only memorializes his miraculous rescue from the Nile but also foreshadows the extraordinary role he would play in history. By drawing him out of the water, Pharaoh’s daughter not only saved a life but also shaped the destiny of an entire nation through her choice to name him.