Rabbah 7:3; Ex. All Israel saw this, and in consequence they also divorced their wives. That Jochebed could still be bearing children at the age of forty-eight might seem unlikely by modern standards. Assisted by - Quoted sourceThese are my personal research notes gleaned from over 50 plus years of being a bible student - assisted by the following information which . She sent one of her attendants, took it. There was something supernatural and marvelous taking place here. By merit of her good deeds, she gave birth to the three leaders of the Exodus generation: Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. We indeed must marvel at Jobs faith. Exodus 2, which describes the birth of Moses, does not name her, or, for that matter, the father or sister of Moses. Even today, I cant tell you how hard it is at times not to want somehow control his diabetes: to make sure hes eating good food, exercising, taking care of himself, but he has a wife and two daughtersI really have to Let it go and trust Godand I do Trust and pray . Yocheved is the major character birth mother of Moses, Miriam, & Aaron in The Prince of Egypt. The parents of Moses believed the simple promise of Gods Word, and the revelation that after 400 years Israel would be delivered, and that their son was a proper childand so, instead of casting baby Moses into the river, they hid him for three months, and then turned him over to God. As the years passed, and after Joseph had died, a new king arose in Egypta king who had not known Joseph. By Harold S. MartinA Bible Helps Booklet No. In the midrashic exegesis, the Egyptians counted the months of her pregnancy only from her return to Amram; they did not know that she was already in the third month (see above), and so Moses could be hidden in his parents home until he had had time to grow and develop. And down through the ages mothers have gone to great measures that required courage to guide and protect their children. Joseph had saved the country from a famine, but eventually, he was forgotten by the Egyptian rulers, the Pharaohs. There was the risk of him being discovered, or washed away in an errant wave. 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. Amram and Jochebed had no fear of the kings decree. "Jochebed: Mother of Moses." No details are given concerning her life. All three point to Christ. Maybe the princess once had a baby of her own who had died, and the sight of baby Moses may have torn the wound open and made it bleed afresh. Moses was a prophet during biblical times. He went from her arms to the arms of Pharaohs daughter. [2] No details are given concerning her life. Moses, in the wilderness, instructed them to put away pagan gods. Yocheved was the youngest member of the seventy souls who made up Jacob's household. THE BIRTH OF THE DELIVERER. As we journey through life, all of uslike the parents of Moseswill have our faith tried. The baby was discovered by Bithiah, Pharaoh's daughter. Come, disaster, scorn, and pain. Clearly Jochebed and Amram married before the prohibition was given, but it is a bit of a shocker that for all those Israelites who knew the law looking back on it with hindsight. They took the urine sample and when the doctor came back he coldly said I think your son has diabetes and I want you to go immediately to the Juvenile Diabetes clinic, Ive already called them to tell them youre on your way. The sage, who wanted to awaken them, said: A single woman in Egypt gave birth to sixty myriads from a single stomach. There was a pupil there named R. Ishmael son of R. Yose, who asked him: Was this really so? He [Rabbi] replied: This is Jochebed, who bore Moses, who is deemed the equivalent of sixty myriads of Israel (Song of Songs Rabbah 1:15:3). she took pity on the baby. 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. The mother of Miriam, Aaron and Moses. F. Hebrew 11:23 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. The only woman who judges, Deborah "used to sit under the palm treeand the sons of Israel came up to her . Hugs and kisses and then she turned away and went home. 328. This word conveys the possibility that Jochebed sensed something was special about her new baby boy. What are some areas of your life you need to stop holding on to and start trusting God? The children of Israel were still in Egypt, but they were no longer honoured by the Egyptians as the people of their great deliverer, Joseph. It was not uncommon for Pharaohs and other Egyptians to bathe ceremonially in the sacred Nile River, as many Indians do today in the Ganges River. Perhaps there would be some shade too from the sun in the reeds. A number of miracles were performed for Jochebed in connection with the birth of Moses: she bore him at the age of one hundred and thirty, and God restored her youth and her beauty. Josephus and the Fathers assign the Coptic mo (water) and uses (saved) as the constituent parts of the name. "the written Torah." The Torah relates that the midwives did not fulfill Pharaohs command because they feared God, who rewarded them for their actions: He established households [battim] for them (Ex. We don't know but we hope that she too was alive to see the Exodus. Exodus 1:14 concludes by saying, All their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. But even this severe treatment did not serve to decrease the number of the Children of Israel, and so in desperation, the Egyptian king decreed that every male child born to the Hebrews should be cast into the river. Finally, when they did speak, they concluded that Job was among the worst of sinners, and that he suffered as a result of deep sin in his life (Job 4:7). And if all the male children were murdered, it would of course only be a generation or two until as a nation they would be wiped out completely. Jochebed was given the name Shiphrah because she would cleanse (meshaperet) the newborn, by washing it and cleaning it after birth; another etymological explanation is that, by merit of her deeds, the Israelites were fruitful [she-paru] and multiplied in her time (Sifrei on Numbers, para. 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. Here is part of the irony of the passage: What was perceived by many to be a womanly weakness compassion for a baby is a strong enough emotion to prompt the (this) woman to defy the orders of Pharaoh. I learned to give injections, to plan meals, to test blood, to watch for highs and lows, and I learned to trust God in a new, powerful way. In verse 16 we find that Levi's sons were Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Who was the mother of kohath? The Bible records, "She gave birth to a son, and . Much of what we know about Jochebed is recorded in the first ten verses of Exodus 2. Where it didnt matter which decision you made, they all seemed risky? Joshua 24:14 throw away gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the river and in Egypt. Nile was considered emanation (em uh ney shun) THE SOURCE of the pagan god Osiris( O sigh rus) and the waters had magical properties. (NET), Exodus 6:20 Amram married his fathers sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. Rather, this verse teaches that Jochebeds pregnancy was without suffering, just as she gave birth without pain. A compilation of the commentary and discussions of the amora'im on the Mishnah. Jochebed, his biological mother, loved her son and kept him as long as she could after he was born. 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. Faith and trust in God knows that even when God seems silent, He is always working for the good of His children. God blessed Jochebed's obedience by making her Moses' nursemaid. The Pharaoh had decreed that all their baby boys were to be thrown into the Nile, because he feared that they might become too powerful. She was the wife of Amram, as well as his aunt. The latest date that Jochebed could have been born was 2385 AM (1620 BC), the year her father died. The story of his birth ( Exodus 2:1-10) is followed by an account of his killing of an Egyptian and the flight to Midian ( Exodus 2:11-16 ). As Moses grew up Jochebed educated Moses in the religion and history of Israel, ensuring that Moses did not lose his Hebrew identity. This couple had great faith. Robert Lehigh, Editor Ex. She did . https://www.learnreligions.com/jochebed-mother-of-moses-701165 (accessed March 2, 2023). Let us know. For unknown reasons, Terah never made it to their destination but stopped and settled in Harran instead. Alphabetical Exposition of Named Bible Women J Jochebed. Surely this was a time of great trial for Jochebed, but instead of manifesting fear and despair, she seemed to have confidence and hope. The Pharaoh in the opening of the book of Exodus was afraid of the Jews because there were so many of them. Cain the first human murderer recorded in the Bible, Jephthah the Gileadite the tenth Judge of Israel, Samuel 15th Judge of Israel and also a Prophet, Background Information: For Hebrews Chapter 11. The explanation you suggest is certainly a possibility. Faith and trust in God knows that God often works behind the scenes of our lives. To save her son's, Moses' life, she made a wooden . It was Jochebed's love and devotion to Moses that preserved his life and allowed him to lead the greatest salvation event in Old Testament history. Verbs tell us that she herself opened it and saw Moses and at that very moment he cried. [29] The significance of this comparison is understood to spring from the affinity of Arabic folklore for Hebrew traditions.[29]. It is an unquestionable fact of scripture that God blessed the forbidden marriage of Amram and Jochebed. With Thy favorloss is gain. Perhaps God might use him to fulfill the Promise. Devorah was as active an anti-vaxxer as you'll see on this site. I believe she recognized that the deliverance of God was at hand. She was portrayed by Martha Scott. 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. This kind of marriage between relatives was later forbidden by the law of Moses. 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). When Jacob went to stay with his uncle Laban, he met one of his daughters, Rachel, and loved her. Rabbah 1:13). This is a clear example of how God gives, provides, and answers more abundantly than we can even ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Help JWA continue to lift up Jewish womens stories, this month and every month, by. The midrash describes in detail how she prepared the ark for Moses. Jochebed knew as long as she trusted Jehovah, she had nothing to fear. And she bore to him Aaron and Moses. Jochebed was paid to nurse and care for the boy, her own son until he grew. Moses, the great law-giver, was born within what would soon be seen as an unlawful union. In the midrashic account, the daughter of Pharaoh saw that Moses was hungry when she drew him from the river. Amram and Jochebed still enjoyed a forbidden sexual relationship which produced three famous children, Aaron, Miriam and Moses, Exodus 6:20, 15:20. She appears briefly in The Prince of Egypt under the name 'Yocheved', voiced by (and resembling) Israeli vocalist Ofra Haza. 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. For others, a family member rebels against the Gospel plan of salvation. Faith is one of the most frequently used words in the Christians vocabulary, but it may be one of the most misunderstood words. Moses' sister, Miriam, accompanied her younger brother when he led the Hebrew people in their escape from slavery in Egypt. "Jochebed: Mother of Moses." She was told to do that. Pharaoh only decreed against the males, but you have decreed against both the males and the females [since all the Israelites withdrew from their wives, neither sons nor daughters would come into the world]. 1:21), which the Rabbis understand as priestly and Levitical households, or as royal households. A careful reader of the Bible account can almost picture Miriam (the older sister of Moses) running to her mother and telling her what had happened. One of the most stimulating accounts in the Bible, pointing to great faith during trial, is that of Job. 2. Her hometown was probably Goshen, in the land of Egypt. Moved with compassion when she discovered the child, she decided to adopt him. 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). It means "the glory of Jehovah." So Jochebed got her own child back, at least for a while. (NET). Yocheved was a beautiful, kind and motherly woman. Rabbah [ed. 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. After Moses was born, Yocheved hid him at home for three months. The story of Moses' mother is found in chapter two of Exodus, Exodus 6:20, and Numbers 26:59. In his gracious way, God gives us himself, the most desirable dream we could ever imagine. The story of Moses' mother is found in chapter two of Exodus, Exodus 6:20, andNumbers26:59. The princess adopted Moses eventually but never knew that Jochebed was the little boy's biological mother. Lieberman], pp. According to another midrash, Moses rejected the breasts of the Egyptian women because he said: God will speak with me. 4041). Pharaoh of ancient Egypt saw that the Hebrews were multiplying greatly and feared that they would consider a revolt. The ruler had thought sparing women was safe, but the midwives, the Hebrew mother, the daughter of Pharaoh, and Miriam, all work together to spare one child5. They may have desired a happy marriage, a successful career, developing their talent, or some other worthwhile goal, yet circumstances prevented it. That Jochebed could still be bearing children at the age of forty-eight might seem unlikely by modern standards. We must put on the shield of faith and believe that God is sending the trials to prepare us for even greater blessings. The outcome of this brave action of defying the King of Egypt is now known to all. Just like today, true faith was mixed with pagan beliefs. Marriages with aunts and nieces have been common in many countries, and are not forbidden by any natural instinct. When hiding him was no longer possible, she placed him in a waterproof basket and set him adrift among the reeds, hoping he would be saved from Pharaoh's death squads. "teaching," "study," or "learning." Im curious, how many here are either adopted, have adopted children or someone in your family has been adopted? Would I ever see him again? Amram married his fathers sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. To protect Moses from Pharaohs command that every male Hebrew child be killed, she placed him in an ark of bulrushes on the river. The Rabbis say that when the daughter of Pharaoh asked of Jochebed: Take [helikhi] this child and nurse it for me (Ex. 'YHWH is glory') was a daughter of Levi[1] and mother of Miriam, Aaron and Moses. 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. V. 1 begins with the marriage of Jochebed and Amram, and then the reader is immediately told of Mosess birth, concealment and rescue. She had to walk away. Pharaohs daughter, although a heathen princess, had a womans (a mothers) instinct, and one thing that touches a womans heart is a crying baby. He became afraid that if an enemy of Egypt waged war against them, the Israelites would side with the enemy against Egypt. She caulked it with bitumen and pitch (Ex. I took him to the pediatrician and I knew it was a urinary tract infection, wed get the pink bubble gum antibiotic and hed be fine. According to social media posts written by Gov. Their heartbreak at giving up their baby is balanced by God's favor when they obey his command not to kill the unborn. If the Pharaoh here is Rameses (RAM uh sees) II, he had over 60 daughters.3 We dont know, but whoever she was, she had enough influence to kill Moses or keep him alive. She felt a firm unity with her Creator and was exhilarated by this bond. We often think of this passage as the story of Moses, but it might be more appropriate to call it the story of Jochebeda woman who is relatively unknown to many Christians. There is nothing immoral in marrying your aunt unless the Torah explicitly forbids it. Growing up, we wanted him to have all the normal experiences of childhood, sleepovers, soccer, basketball, baseball, and football, field trips, then dates, eventually college and marriage: without me. We will notice several aspects of Jochebeds faith-walk. 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