Exodus 2:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Zipporah bears a son, whom Moses names Gershom, meaning 'a stranger there.'
The Context of Exodus 2:22
Moses's son is born and named Gershom.
What Does Exodus 2:22 Mean?
The birth of Moses's son marks the establishment of a new generation in Midian. Yet Moses's choice of name—Gershom (Ger-shem, 'a stranger there')—reveals that despite his family, his settled life, and his comfort, he has not forgotten his alienation. The name carries both literal truth (he is a foreigner in Midian) and deeper truth (his heart remains divided).
Though Moses has found peace and belonging in Midian, the name preserves memory of displacement and loss. It suggests that on some level, Moses recognizes his life in Midian as temporary, even as he commits to it. The name becomes a record of his internal condition—settled on the surface, yet aware of exile and incompleteness.
Exodus 2:22 in the Original Language
Gershom (גֵּרְשׁוֹם), 'Gershom' — derived from ger (stranger) and sham (there), literally 'a stranger there,' marking both physical displacement and internal sense of not belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 2:22
What does Exodus 2:22 mean?
Zipporah bears a son, whom Moses names Gershom, meaning 'a stranger there.'
What is the context of Exodus 2:22?
Moses's son is born and named Gershom.