Exodus 2:3 in Hebrew
וְלֹא־יָכְלָ֣ה עֹוד֮ הַצְּפִינֹו֒ וַתִּֽקַּֽח־לֹו֙ תֵּ֣בַת גֹּ֔מֶא וַתַּחְמְרָ֥ה בַחֵמָ֖ר וּבַזָּ֑פֶת וַתָּ֤שֶׂם בָּהּ֙ אֶת־הַיֶּ֔לֶד וַתָּ֥שֶׂם בַּסּ֖וּף עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיְאֹֽר׃
Introduction to the Verse
Exodus 2:3 describes the moment when Moshe’s mother placed him in a basket to protect him from Pharaoh’s decree. The verse states:
וְלֹא־יָכְלָ֣ה עֹוד֮ הַצְּפִינֹו֒ – “And when she could no longer hide him.”
וַתִּֽקַּֽח־לֹו֙ תֵּ֣בַת גֹּ֔מֶא – “She took for him a basket of papyrus reeds.”
וַתַּחְמְרָ֥ה בַחֵמָ֖ר וּבַזָּ֑פֶת – “And she coated it with clay and pitch.”
A key phrase in this verse is תֵּבַת גֹּ֔מֶא (tēvat gōmeʾ), which plays a crucial role in understanding the connection between Moshe’s rescue and other biblical events.
Understanding תֵּבַת גֹּ֔מֶא
1. תֵּבָה (Tēvah) – “Basket” or “Ark”
– The word תֵּבָה appears only twice in the entire Hebrew Bible:
– Here, in Exodus 2:3, referring to Moshe’s basket.
– In Genesis 6:14, where it describes Noaḥ’s ark.
– This rare usage suggests a deliberate parallel between Moshe and Noaḥ, both of whom were delivered from water through divine intervention.
2. גֹּ֔מֶא (Gōmeʾ) – “Papyrus Reeds”
– The term גֹּ֔מֶא refers to papyrus plants, which grow in marshy areas near the Nile.
– This type of material was commonly used in ancient Egypt for making boats, baskets, and writing materials.
– The use of papyrus reeds highlights Moshe’s Egyptian context, as well as his divine protection in a fragile vessel.
The Connection Between Moshe and Noaḥ
1. Parallel Themes of Deliverance
– Both Moshe and Noaḥ were saved from water through a tēvah (ark/basket).
– In both cases, divine preservation ensured the survival of an individual chosen for a greater mission.
2. The Symbolism of Coating the Basket
– The phrase וַתַּחְמְרָ֥ה בַחֵמָ֖ר וּבַזָּ֑פֶת (“She coated it with clay and pitch”) echoes Genesis 6:14, where Noaḥ sealed the ark with pitch.
– This reinforces the idea that Moshe’s survival was part of a divine plan, just as Noaḥ’s was.
The Literary and Theological Significance
1. Moshe as a Deliverer
– Just as Noaḥ’s survival led to the continuation of humanity, Moshe’s rescue set the stage for Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
2. The Role of Women in Divine Plans
– The verse highlights the initiative of Moshe’s mother, whose actions preserved the future leader of Israel.
3. Foreshadowing the Exodus
– Moshe’s journey in the Nile foreshadows Israel’s passage through the Red Sea, where water becomes both a danger and a means of salvation.
The Meaning of תֵּבַת גֹּ֔מֶא in Exodus 2:3
The phrase תֵּבַת גֹּ֔מֶא connects Moshe’s early life to the broader biblical theme of divine rescue. His basket (ark), like Noaḥ’s, symbolizes God’s protection and the beginning of a new chapter in salvation history.
This verse highlights the fragile yet purposeful nature of Moshe’s survival, setting the foundation for his future role as Israel’s deliverer.
