By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that "when he was grown up" doesn't just mean he was older, but that he had reached an age of maturity where he could make a conscious, deliberate choice. This wasn't a childish whim; it was a profound act of faith where Moses actively rejected his privileged Egyptian status for the hardship of his own people.
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage shifts from Moses' parents' faith in saving him as an infant to Moses' own faith as a mature man. He’s now faced with a choice: continue his life of privilege as an adopted prince of Egypt, or embrace his identity as an Israelite and face the suffering that comes with it. This decision, made by a grown Moses, is presented as a profound act of faith, choosing God's people over worldly status.
Imagine growing up with royal access, knowing you're destined for greatness... then choosing to walk away from it all. That was Moses.
The text tells us Moses, 'when he was grown up,' made a decisive choice. This wasn't a childish whim; he was mature, likely around forty years old (Acts 7:23). At this point, he had experienced life in Pharaoh's court, understanding the immense privilege and power that came with being 'son of Pharaoh's daughter.'
Moses faced hardship, but the Bible calls it 'the reproach of Christ.' How can Old Testament suffering connect to Christ?
The author of Hebrews connects Moses' choice to 'the reproach of Christ.' This is a profound concept. It means that when faithful individuals in any age suffer for righteousness, they are sharing in a suffering that ultimately finds its deepest meaning and culmination in Christ.
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The text highlights Moses' choice at around age 40, not as a young boy, but as a mature man who fully understood the implications of rejecting his privileged Egyptian status for the sake of God's people and promises.
~1526 BC
Moses Born
Moses is born to Hebrew parents, Amram and Jochebed, during a time of brutal oppression when Pharaoh has ordered the killing of all newborn Israelite males.
~1526 BC
Moses Hidden and Set Adrift
Moses' mother hides him for three months, then places him in a basket on the Nile River to save him from Pharaoh's decree. He is found by Pharaoh's daughter and adopted into the Egyptian royal family.
~1486 BC— this verse
Moses Kills an Egyptian
Upon reaching adulthood (around 40 years old), Moses encounters an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. He intervenes, kills the Egyptian, and then hides the body, signaling a turning point where he sides with his oppressed people.
~1486 BC
Moses Flees to Midian
When his act of killing the Egyptian becomes known, Moses fears Pharaoh's wrath and flees Egypt, settling in Midian where he lives as a shepherd for many years.
~1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
After encountering God in the burning bush, Moses returns to Egypt to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of slavery, culminating in the miraculous parting of the Red Sea.
This passage describes Moses' early life, his adoption, and his first act of identifying with the oppressed Israelites by striking an Egyptian, directly setting the stage for his 'refusal' mentioned in Hebrews.
Acts 7:22-29Stephen's sermon recounts Moses' story, emphasizing his upbringing in Egypt and his eventual 'refusal' of Egyptian status to associate with his people, mirroring the Hebrews passage and providing further context for his faith.
Philippians 3:7-11Paul speaks about counting all his former achievements and status as loss for the sake of Christ, echoing Moses' decision to forgo royal privilege for a greater, albeit suffering, identity.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18This passage encourages believers to focus on the unseen, eternal rewards rather than temporary earthly comforts, aligning with Moses' faith that looked beyond the riches and status of Egypt.
ellicottHebrews 11:24: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;"
(24) Come to years — i.e. , grown up, “when he was full forty years old” ( Acts 7:23 ). The words here used are taken from the Greek translation of Exodus 2:11 , where we first read of Moses as openly Associating himself with his oppressed people. When Moses slew the Egyptian who was “smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren,” he in act “refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter,”…
calvinHebrews 11:23-27: "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment."
- By faith Moses, etc. There have been others, and those heathens, who from no fear of God, but only from a desire of propagating an offspring, preserved their own children at the peril of life; but the Apostle shows that the parents of Moses were inducted to save him for another reason, even for this, -- that as…
What's striking here is that "when he was grown up" doesn't just mean he was older, but that he had reached an age of maturity where he could make a conscious, deliberate choice. This wasn't a childish whim; it was a profound act of faith where Moses actively rejected his privileged Egyptian status for the hardship of his own people.
This passage shifts from Moses' parents' faith in saving him as an infant to Moses' own faith as a mature man. He’s now faced with a choice: continue his life of privilege as an adopted prince of Egypt, or embrace his identity as an Israelite and face the suffering that comes with it. This decision, made by a grown Moses, is presented as a profound act of faith, choosing God's people over worldly status.
This passage shifts from Moses' parents' faith in saving him as an infant to Moses' own faith as a mature man. He’s now faced with a choice: continue his life of privilege as an adopted prince of Egypt, or embrace his identity as an Israelite and face the suffering that comes with it. This decision, made by a grown Moses, is presented as a profound act of faith, choosing God's people over worldly status.
"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter," — What's striking here is that "when he was grown up" doesn't just mean he was older, but that he had reached an age of maturity where he could make a conscious, deliberate choice. This wasn't a childi…
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Last reviewed October 2026