Exodus 2:17 Meaning Explained

Exodus 2:17

The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock.

English Standard Version (ESV)

This verse highlights not just Moses' intervention, but also the type of intervention: he didn't just passively help, he "stood up" and actively defended the girls and watered their flock. This shows Moses' innate character – a readiness to champion the wronged and step into a situation to do what was right, even when he was a stranger in a foreign land.

What Exodus 2:17 means

Moses, now living in Midian, encounters Jethro's daughters at a well, a situation where they draw water for their father's flock. When other shepherds try to take advantage of their labor by driving them away, Moses intervenes, defending the women and helping them water their sheep. This act of justice and kindness leads directly to Jethro inviting Moses to his home and eventually offering him his daughter in marriage.

Divine Providence in Daily Encounters

Ever feel like your life's path is just a series of random events? This story might change how you see 'chance' encounters.

Moses's life in Midian wasn't just a resting place; it was a divinely orchestrated setup.

God's Guiding Hand

A Shepherd's Rest: Moses, after fleeing Egypt and likely experiencing immense loss and uncertainty, finds himself at a well. This wasn't accidental. The text emphasizes that God guided his steps, not just to find a meal, but a place of refuge and future provision.
The Unexpected Meeting: The arrival of Jethro's daughters at the well, and their subsequent interaction with Moses, is presented as more than coincidence. It's a pivotal moment where God's providence actively intervenes to shape Moses's future, leading to his marriage and a period of stability.
Purpose in Exile: Even in his exile, a time that could have led to despair, God was working. This period wasn't wasted; it was preparing Moses for his monumental task ahead, grounding him in humility and service.

Courageous Defense of the Vulnerable

What does it look like to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves? Moses's actions here offer a powerful example.

When injustice and bullying appear, stepping in with courage and compassion is a reflection of God's own heart.

A Shepherd's Stand

Witnessing Injustice: The local shepherds acted selfishly, driving away the daughters of Jethro and their flock from the water they had drawn. This was an act of aggression and exploitation.
Moses's Intervention: Moses, though a foreigner and an exile, didn't hesitate. He 'stood up' – a posture of courage and resolve – and intervened. He didn't just stop the bullies; he actively helped the women and their sheep, demonstrating both justice and mercy.

Understand the original words

Original language

shepherdsרֹעֶה

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.

savedיָשַׁע

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.

Historical context

Written: Likely between the 15th and 13th centuries BC, during the Israelite sojourn in Egypt.
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, though some scholars suggest a later Israelite tradition.
Location: Written from Midian, likely while Moses was living there as a shepherd.
Genre: Narrative, featuring dialogue and vivid descriptions to reveal character and advance the plot.

Historical background

This incident reveals Moses's deep sense of justice and his readiness to defend the vulnerable, foreshadowing his future leadership and his role as a deliverer.

c. 1446 BC
Moses Flees Egypt
After killing an Egyptian overseer, Moses flees Pharaoh's court and the land of Egypt, likely to the region of Midian.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Arrives in Midian
Moses settles in Midian, likely takes up shepherding, and marries Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a priest of Midian.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Shepherds Dispute at the Well
While drawing water for their father's flock, Jethro's daughters are confronted and driven away by local shepherds, who claim the water for themselves.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Intervenes and Assists
Moses steps in to defend the women, drives away the aggressive shepherds, and helps the daughters water their flocks.
c. 1446 BC

Key themes

01Justice for the oppressed
02Courage in the face of rudeness
03Divine timing and rescue
04Proactive kindness

Cross-references

1 Samuel 17:40

Just as Moses stepped up to defend the vulnerable daughters against aggressive shepherds, David bravely confronted Goliath, demonstrating a similar courage in defending the oppressed and upholding justice.

Proverbs 31:8-9

This passage calls for speaking up for the speechless and defending the rights of the poor and needy, a principle Moses embodied when he intervened to help the daughters of Jethro.

Luke 10:29-37

The parable of the Good Samaritan highlights the importance of active compassion and stepping in to help those in need, mirroring Moses' selfless act of intervening when others would not.

Galatians 6:10

This verse encourages doing good to all, especially to those of the household of faith, and Moses’ action exemplifies this by extending kindness and protection to those he encountered, even before knowing their deeper spiritual significance.

Scholarly commentary

Exodus 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…
gill

Exodus 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…
benson

Frequently asked questions

What does Exodus 2:17 mean?

Explain the meaning of Exodus 2:17

What is the context of Exodus 2:17?

Study this verse in Sola

Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.

Open in Sola app Get the app

Ask a follow-up

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "shepherds" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally understood as Moses, though some scholars suggest a later Israelite tradition. write Exodus 2:17?”
“How does justice for the oppressed show up in Exodus 2:17?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Exodus 2:17 is available in the Sola app.

This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.

What Exodus 2:17 means

Original language

shepherdsרֹעֶה

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.

savedיָשַׁע

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.

Historical context

Written: Likely between the 15th and 13th centuries BC, during the Israelite sojourn in Egypt.
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, though some scholars suggest a later Israelite tradition.
Location: Written from Midian, likely while Moses was living there as a shepherd.
Genre: Narrative, featuring dialogue and vivid descriptions to reveal character and advance the plot.

Historical background

This incident reveals Moses's deep sense of justice and his readiness to defend the vulnerable, foreshadowing his future leadership and his role as a deliverer.

c. 1446 BC

Moses Flees Egypt

After killing an Egyptian overseer, Moses flees Pharaoh's court and the land of Egypt, likely to the region of Midian.

c. 1446 BC

Moses Arrives in Midian

Moses settles in Midian, likely takes up shepherding, and marries Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a priest of Midian.

c. 1446 BC— this verse

Shepherds Dispute at the Well

While drawing water for their father's flock, Jethro's daughters are confronted and driven away by local shepherds, who claim the water for themselves.

c. 1446 BC

Moses Intervenes and Assists

Moses steps in to defend the women, drives away the aggressive shepherds, and helps the daughters water their flocks.

c. 1446 BC

Scholarly commentary

Exodus 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…
gill

Exodus 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…
benson

Frequently asked questions

What does Exodus 2:17 mean?

Explain the meaning of Exodus 2:17

What is the context of Exodus 2:17?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "shepherds" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally understood as Moses, though some scholars suggest a later Israelite tradition. write Exodus 2:17?”
“How does justice for the oppressed show up in Exodus 2:17?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Exodus 2:17 is available in the Sola app.