She lived in Egypt, where the descendants of Israel were being oppressed. That day began a new life for my son and for our entire family and me. With Thy favorloss is gain. She is described as the daughter of Levi, born to him in Egypt (Num. Tellings of the birth of Moses story often overlook Jochebed's role in the story from beginning to end. The narrative of her pregnancy with Moses is amusingly incorporated in an exegesis relating to the time of the Rabbis. The mother of Moses is famous in the eyes of God, not because she bore the baby Moses, but because of her faitha faith that knew no defeat. First of all, God began to move upon the heart of the pagan daughter of a pagan king, so that at the exact time the baby Moses lay by the rivers edge, Pharaohs daughter came to this very place to take a swim. He lived 137 years. Joseph had revealed himself to his eleven brothers and requested that his father come to Egypt, which the family did. Those must have been precious years. 3:31) (Seder Eliyahu Rabbah 29). Ofra sang the lullaby in 18 languages for the film's dubbing (including her native Hebrew). The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt; and to Amram she bore Aaron and Moses, and their sister Miriam. Exodus 6:20 And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years. That Jochebed could still be bearing children at the age of forty-eight might seem unlikely by modern standards. The Exodus Rabbah argues that when the Pharaoh instructed midwives to throw male children into the Nile, Amram divorced Jochebed, who was three months pregnant with Moses at the time, but Miriam soon persuaded him to marry Jochebed again;[10] it goes on to argue that the Egyptians estimated the date that Moses would be due to be born by counting nine months from the start of this marriage, hence allowing Jochebed to hide him for the three months that were overestimated. What would she do if he was snatched out of her arms and taken to certain death? Answer (1 of 15): Yes, it was forbidden in Lev. A resolute faith and holy background were the foundation for her remarkable strength and trust in the promises of God. Have you ever been there? How will you be encouraged by Jochebed to boldly face your fears today? The question of Jochebeds kinship to Amram arises from the statement in Ex. Exodus 2:1 A man from the household of Levi married a woman who was a descendant of Levi. She had to walk away. She committed Moses to the Lord. Numbers 26:58-59 These are the families of the Levitesand Kohath begot Amram. Im curious, how many here are either adopted, have adopted children or someone in your family has been adopted? A little boy spent many hours making a small boat and then he took it to the lake. The narrative in Exodus 2 about Moses' birth introduces her, without providing her name, as a member of the priestly tribe Levi; she marries a Levitical man, also unnamed here.The mother, in defiance of the Pharaoh's order that every male Hebrew . The wording she placed it among the reeds (ibid.) She and her husband, Amram lived around 1571BC to 1613BC or 2,433 years after Creation. 26:59). She was only shown onscreen at the time that Moses was exiled and got to meet his biological mother. Jochebed did not say, Im going to throw the child into the river; if hes Gods man, God will somehow save him. That is not faith; that is fanaticism. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. For those who have become followers of Jesus Christ, the final note of this message is a call to persevere in the faith no matter how many obstacles have appeared along the way. Devorah and her husband Maurice Sklar ran Maurice Sklar Ministries, founded by Maurice Sklar, which has about 10,000 followers online. She did not sit down and brood about the current situation in Egypt, and say, If this child is to be Israels deliverer, God will somehow spare him and deliver him; theres nothing we can do; so well throw him in the river, and if God wants him, He can save him. She knew that God expects us to do our part, and that He will not do for us what we are able to do for ourselves. (NIV). Jochebed just happened to put Moses in the right spot on the Nile? The Rabbis deduced from this that righteous women are not subject to the decree passed on Eve (that is, the curse of in pain shall you bear children [Gen. 3:16] does not apply to them) (BT Sotah 12a). The Egyptians believed that the waters of the Nile possessed the ability to impart fruitfulness and to prolong life.4 Dr. Thomas Constable, While her attendants were walking up and down the banks keeping undesirable people and animals away, she saw the basket. Joseph had saved the country from a famine, but eventually, he was forgotten by the Egyptian rulers, the Pharaohs. She found herself in a terrible. Although her jealously later in life led to . V. 1 begins with the marriage of Jochebed and Amram, and then the reader is immediately told of Mosess birth, concealment and rescue. [10] The Targum Pseudo-Jonathan identifies Jochebed as also having been wife of Elitzaphon Ben Parnach, and the mother of Eldad and Medad;[11] the text is ambiguous as to when this marriage occurred in relation to the marriage(s) to Amram. According to Exodus 6:20, Jochebed married her nephew; thus, she was Amram's aunt as well as his wife. 11:23 By faith Moses was hidden by, Amram and Jochebed, his parents, for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and were not afraid of the kings order. But Exodus 2:5 says that the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe in the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. [5] Jochebed is also called Amram's father's sister in the Masoretic text of Exodus 6:20, but ancient translations differ in this. Jochebed was the daughter of a Levi man and born in Egypt. [15], Some rabbinic literature attempts to resolve the textual discrepancy in which the Torah lists 34 children of Leah born in Mesopotamia, stating that two were dead, and then immediately states that there were 33 in total,[16] by arguing that the figure referred only to the surviving children, and that Jochebed was the 33rd;[17][18] however, since the Book of Numbers describes Jochebed's birth as occurring in Egypt,[1] this necessitated the further rabbinic argument that Jochebed was born exactly on the border of Egypt, in the gateway of the city. ), wife of Amram and mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (Num. And after Jochebed did all that she could, she went back homeundoubtedly with a great sense of trust that God would work things out according to His plan. After many hardships, Moses was used by God as his servant to free the Hebrew people from slavery and lead them to the edge of the promised land. 1:17 relates that the midwives, fearing God, let the boys live; their reward for fearing God, according to the midrash, is Torah: because Jochebed feared the Lord, she gave birth to Moses, through whom the Torah was given (Ex. The midrash apparently understands builds her house in a broad sense, because Jochebeds wisdom in the raising of her own children led to the building and firm establishment of the entire people of Israel. There are several data points we have to nail down in order to properly defend the Bible 's assertion that 600,000 men left Egypt with Moses in the Exodus. 1 Jochebed gave birth to Moses, future Giver of the Law, and cleverly spared him from death as an infant. The Story A summary of his forty years in Midian is given ( Exodus 2:12-22 ), and the last three verses ( Exodus 2:23-25) set the stage for Exodus 3. She was curious, what could be in it? [27], Stories of unusual events during the pregnancy of Aminah, mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad,[28] are compared with the similar experiences of Jochebed when she was carrying Moses. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. He had a string tied to the boat and was holding the string in his handbut the string slipped from his fingers, and a breeze carried the boat beyond his reach. 4 Dr. Thomas Constable, Constables Notes, Lumina, www.bible.org. Jochebed's name is given various allegorical interpretations;[12][13] the Leviticus Rabbah identifies her as the person named in the Book of Chronicles as Jehudijah,[14] by arguing that the name should be interpreted as meaning the Jewess, in reference to her founding the Jewish nation by disobeying the Pharaoh's order to dispose of the firstborn males. Jochebed was paid to nurse and care for the boy, her own son until he grew. Someone has said mothers begin saying good-bye to their children from the moment they are born.1 And we dont want to forget there is also a pain that comes from wanting a child and yet not having one, perhaps even having to give up that possibility. 2:12 state that he married a Levite woman. To save her son's life, she waterproofed a basket and put the child in it. All three point to Christ. Print copies of this booklet may be obtained from: BIBLE HELPS
Hold on to things and people with open hands, like Jochebed they know when to release and. There arc three arks mentioned in Scripture. Jochebed: Mother of Moses. According to the masoretic text, Jochebed's family tree is as follows: According to the Septuagint however, Jochebed would be a cousin of Amram or Kohath: Along with the parting of the Red Sea, the burning bush and the Ten Commandments: The Quran relates the story of Moses with some added details and slight differences. The Scripture says, And, behold, the babe wept (Exodus 2:6). The life of Jochebed is an amazing demonstration of the walk by faith. Life comes with the opportunity to learn the art of Releasing when we have no control, of dealing with extenuating circumstances that we can do nothing about. The gay analogy must include a marriage relationship not universally accepted in scripture. Yet the Bible reveals that Levi and his son and grandson all had very long life spans. Jochebed lived in a critical time. JOCHEBED: THE MOTHER OF MOSES. We learn that secret by reading Hebrews 11:23, which says, By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a proper child, and they were not afraid of the kings commandment. Moses was hid in his home for three months, and then in the reeds by the river, not because Jochebed could not bear to see her child perish, or because she loved him too much to cast him into the river. Likewise, we have nothing to fear when we learn to rely on God. The Birth of Moses Bible Story Study Guide, Biography of Moses, Leader of the Abrahamic Religions, Meet Miriam: Moses' Sister and Prophetess During the Exodus, Gain a Christian Perspective on the Passover Feast, Scripture Readings for Ash Wednesday Through the First Week of Lent, 8 Mothers in the Bible Who Served God Well, Enjoy the Complete Christmas Story of the Birth of Jesus, Meet Eve: The First Woman, Wife, and Mother of All the Living, Moses and the Burning Bush Bible Story Study Guide, Bible Story of a Brave Trio: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Parting the Red Sea Bible Story Study Guide, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. That was in the year 2238 after Creation. His three friends sat for seven days and simply shook their heads in despair without saying a word (Job 2:13). When Moses was about to die, he addressed God and begged for his life. Jochebed's name means, "Honor of God" or "God is glory". The answer: It was based on the promises of Gods Word. But who is she? In all three explanations, Jochebed immediately comprehended that her son was meant for greatness and she discerned that he possessed unique spiritual qualities. Jesus reminds us that there will be those who are last which shall be first and first which shall be last (Luke 13:30). The woman conceived and bore a son, since she conceived before this second marriage? Moses would become God's servant who would lead Israel out of Egypt. Surely Jochebed would have told little Moses stories of the faithfulness of the God of Israel. Ex. When Jacob went to stay with his uncle Laban, he met one of his daughters, Rachel, and loved her. Yet the Bible reveals that Levi and his son and grandson all had very long life spans. I have called Thee Abba Father; I wonder. According to tradition, Moses' parents, Amram and Jochebed (whose other children were Aaron and Miriam), hid him for three months and then set him afloat on the Nile in a reed basket daubed with pitch. I was in shock. Further study: How do we know? Perhaps there would be some shade too from the sun in the reeds. When trials come our way we must learn to be patient and trust and wait. By faith, Jochebed and her husband Amram hid their son Moses even against the king of Egypts edict that all Hebrew boys should be put to death at birth. There was something supernatural and marvelous taking place here. According to one opinion, she realized that he was suited to be a prophet; according to another, she saw that he was born circumcised; and according to a third exegetical suggestion, she saw that the entire house was filled with light (BT Sotah 12a). The smaller lad began to cry even more, because he thought his brother was trying to sink the boat. Trials and difficulties and obstacles come to all of us, but for the moment, we want to look at the example found in the life of Jochebed. Like Jochebed, they trust God to find a loving home for their child. Rabbah 1:13). Not only was Moses spared, but his older sister (later identified as Miriam in Exodus 15:20), who was standing somewhere within sight, offered the Egyptian princess her services. Have an update or correction? [2] No details are given concerning her life. Amram and Jochebed still enjoyed a forbidden sexual relationship which produced three famous children, Aaron, Miriam and Moses, Exodus 6:20, 15:20. We indeed must marvel at Jobs faith. The latter had spoken impudently to Pharaoh, who sought to kill her in his anger. The only woman who judges, Deborah "used to sit under the palm treeand the sons of Israel came up to her . Years she had to love and influence her child for God. Help JWA continue to lift up Jewish womens stories, this month and every month, by. Amram Remarries Jochebed His Name Bringing Heaven Down to Earth Sinless Amram Marries Jochebed Amram married his aunt Jochebed in Egypt. Jochebed had faith in God's protection of her baby. Jochebed's story is one of trust, courage, and faith. Text says she went to bathe in the Nile. not an ordinary child Hebrew for fine is tov(TOE v)= means good, beautiful Its the same word that used in the Creation account in Genesis 1:4(light), 10(land and sea), 18(sun, moon, stars), 25(animals), 31(mankind, looked and said=very good). His possessions were all gone; his body was racked with pain; his wife added to the pain of his soul by urging him to curse God and cry out for death. One of the explanations of this discrepancy is that Jochebed completed the number seventy; she was not included in the list because she was still in her mothers womb (Gen. Rabbah 94:9). At just this moment, Miriam steps forward and approaches the daughter and volunteers her service to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child, and whom did she bring back? This exegesis teaches of Jochebeds longevity, and that she was still alive when Moses died. 2:2). THE BIRTH OF THE DELIVERER. She was the daughter of a Levite, and she married Amram, another Levite ( Exodus 2:1 ). She caulked it with bitumen and pitch (Ex. Amram and Jochebed had no fear of the kings decree. Joseph, Jacob's son, was a ruler in Egypt at that time and the children of Jacob (Israel) were treated kindly. Jochebed complied with the royal decree, but in protecting the child from the deep waters of the river, the essential point of the decree (killing the male babies) was disregarded. Scripture does not tell us when Jochebed died but it is possible she was still living when the Law of Moses was given. The story of Jochebed is thought to be described in the Book of Exodus (2:110) although she is not explicitly named here. Moses was a fortunate and blessed man. So Jochebed got her own child back, at least for a while. Our background is not our destiny Pharaohs daughter just happened to have enough influence to save the baby Moses. What does it mean that they had faith? She was Levi 's daughter, and Kehot, Amram's father, was Levi 's son. This is a huge part of the story Jewish Study Bible, The verb could be given a more colloquial translation such as she felt sorry for him. But the verb is stronger than that; it means to have compassion, to pity, to spare. What she felt for the baby was strong enough to prompt her to spare the child from the fate decreed for Hebrew boys. 2:1 portrays their remarriage. According to another interpretation, Jochebed named her son Tov or Tobiah, which was what his parents called him until Pharaohs daughter renamed him Moses (BT Sotah 12a). He turned to his three friends, and said in essence, Although I dont know why I am called upon to face this trial, I do know the joy of fellowship with God, and though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him (Job 13:15). When she no longer could keep him, she gave him away to save his life. We don't know but we hope that she too was alive to see the Exodus. She is noted among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. She had feelings just like you and I have. He does them in a big way if we dare to trust Him. The Rabbis resolve this abbreviated chronology by stating that Jochebed and Amram divorced, and Ex. Boy, her own son until he grew to be described in the right spot on the.! The life of Jochebed is thought to be described in the right spot on the promises God. Their heads in despair without saying a word ( Job 2:13 ) she gave him to... On the promises of God married his aunt Jochebed in Egypt Jochebed gave birth to how did jochebed die, future Giver the. 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