The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While it might seem like a simple act of kindness, Moses "stood up" not just to help, but to actively confront and displace the abusive shepherds. This wasn't just about watering sheep; it was a powerful demonstration of his innate sense of justice and his readiness to champion the vulnerable when he saw them wronged.
The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before, Moses had intervened to help the priest of Midian's daughters draw water, an act of kindness that caught their attention. Now, other shepherds arrived, rudely pushing aside the daughters and their flocks to get to the water first, intending to profit from the young women's labor. Moses, witnessing this injustice, bravely stepped in, defending the daughters and helping them water their flocks.
Moses, the prince-turned-shepherd, steps in to defend vulnerable women. What does this reveal about his character and God's calling?
Moses's Immediate Defense
This scene might seem small, but it's incredibly significant. Moses, who had lived as royalty in Egypt and was now living in exile, sees an injustice and acts. The local shepherds are being rude and lazy, taking advantage of the priest's daughters who had already drawn the water. They
Moses's time in Midian wasn't just an escape; it was a divine setup. How did this seemingly random encounter shape his future?
God's Hand at the Well
This encounter at the well wasn't accidental. God was orchestrating Moses's life, even in his exile. He wasn't just 'hanging out' as a shepherd; he was being prepared.
A Humble New Calling
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Understand the original words
rō‘eh · Hebrew Noun
A person who tends, feeds, and guards sheep; biblically, it is a primary metaphor for leadership, characterizing one who protects, guides, and sacrifices for those in their care.
yāša‘ · Hebrew Verb
To rescue, liberate, or bring into a state of safety; it denotes a powerful intervention to pull someone out of danger or oppression.
This intervention wasn't just a random act of kindness; it was a pivotal moment where Moses, by defending the vulnerable, demonstrated the leadership qualities God would later use to deliver an entire nation. His exile in Midian, far from being a period of idleness, was God's crucible, forging his character and preparing him for his monumental task.
c. 1446 BC
Moses flees Egypt
After killing an Egyptian overseer, Moses, a prince of Egypt, flees into the desert of Midian to escape Pharaoh's wrath.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Moses encounters Jethro's daughters
Moses arrives at a well in Midian and witnesses shepherds harassing the seven daughters of Jethro, the local priest, as they try to water their flocks.
c. 1446 BC
Moses marries Zipporah
Impressed by Moses's act of justice and courage, Jethro invites him to stay, eventually giving him his daughter Zipporah to marry.
c. 1406 BC
Moses's calling at the burning bush
Forty years after fleeing Egypt, Moses encounters God in a burning bush and is commissioned to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
This passage shows David stepping up and defending the defenseless, much like Moses did when he rescued the daughters of Jethro from the aggressive shepherds.
Luke 10:30-37The parable of the Good Samaritan highlights the importance of actively helping those in need, even when it's inconvenient or involves confronting injustice, a principle Moses embodied in this moment.
Galatians 6:10This verse encourages us to do good to all, especially to those in the household of faith, and mirrors Moses's compassionate action of stepping in to help the vulnerable women.
Proverbs 31:8-9The description of the 'excellent wife' calls for speaking up for the rights of the poor and needy, a quality Moses demonstrated by defending the daughters of Jethro against the oppressive shepherds.
gillExodus 2:17: "And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock."
And the shepherds came and drove them away,.... The daughters of the priest of Midian, and their flock likewise; these were shepherds of some neighbouring princes or great men, who were so rude and slothful, and to save themselves a little trouble of drawing water, brought up their flocks to drink of the water those virgins had drawn, and to do this forced them and their flock…
bensonExodus 2:17: "And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock."
Exodus 2:17 . Stood up and helped them — This he did, because wherever he was, as occasion offered itself, he loved to be doing justice, and appearing in the defence of such as he saw injured. He loved to be doing good: wherever the providence of God cast us, we should desire and endeavour to be useful; and when we cannot do the good we would, we must be ready to do the good w…
While it might seem like a simple act of kindness, Moses "stood up" not just to help, but to actively confront and displace the abusive shepherds. This wasn't just about watering sheep; it was a powerful demonstration of his innate sense of justice and his readiness to champion the vulnerable when he saw them wronged.
Just moments before, Moses had intervened to help the priest of Midian's daughters draw water, an act of kindness that caught their attention. Now, other shepherds arrived, rudely pushing aside the daughters and their flocks to get to the water first, intending to profit from the young women's labor. Moses, witnessing this injustice, bravely stepped in, defending the daughters and helping them water their flocks.
Just moments before, Moses had intervened to help the priest of Midian's daughters draw water, an act of kindness that caught their attention. Now, other shepherds arrived, rudely pushing aside the daughters and their flocks to get to the water first, intending to profit from the young women's labor. Moses, witnessing this injustice, bravely stepped in, defending the daughters and helping them water their flocks.
"The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock." — While it might seem like a simple act of kindness, Moses "stood up" not just to help, but to actively confront and displace the abusive shepherds. This wasn't just about watering sheep; it was a powe…
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Last reviewed October 2026