Exodus 2:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And when she could not longer hide him, 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When she can no longer hide him, she places him in a waterproof basket and leaves it in the river.
The Context of Exodus 2:3
The mother fashions a basket to protect Moses and places it in the Nile River.
What Does Exodus 2:3 Mean?
Unable to conceal an infant indefinitely, Moses's mother crafts a protective vessel of reeds, sealed with slime and pitch to keep water out. She carefully positions it among the river plants where it might be discovered and the child might survive, combining practical ingenuity with faith.
This act shows desperation transformed into hope—she cannot prevent the exposure but controls the conditions, placing her son where royal household members bathe. Her strategy reveals both maternal love and shrewd understanding of how to appeal to Pharaoh's own family.
Exodus 2:3 in the Original Language
teevah (תֵּבָה), 'ark' — a vessel or box; the same word used for Noah's ark, suggesting divine protection through human craft.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 2:3
What does Exodus 2:3 mean?
When she can no longer hide him, she places him in a waterproof basket and leaves it in the river.
What is the context of Exodus 2:3?
The mother fashions a basket to protect Moses and places it in the Nile River.