Exodus 2:4
New International Version
His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

New Living Translation
The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him.

English Standard Version
And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.

Berean Standard Bible
And his sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

King James Bible
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

New King James Version
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

New American Standard Bible
And his sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

NASB 1995
His sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

NASB 1977
And his sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.

Amplified Bible
And his sister [Miriam] stood some distance away to find out what would happen to him.

Christian Standard Bible
Then his sister stood at a distance in order to see what would happen to him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then his sister stood at a distance in order to see what would happen to him.

American Standard Version
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

Contemporary English Version
The baby's older sister stood off at a distance to see what would happen to him.

English Revised Version
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The baby's sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Good News Translation
The baby's sister stood some distance away to see what would happen to him.

International Standard Version
Then his sister positioned herself some distance away in order to find out what would happen to him.

Majority Standard Bible
And his sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

NET Bible
His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

New Heart English Bible
And his sister stood at a distance, to see what would be done to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

World English Bible
His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and his sister stations herself far off, to know what is done to him.

Young's Literal Translation
and his sister stationeth herself afar off, to know what is done to him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And his sister will stand afar off to know what will be done to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
His sister standing afar off, and taking notice what would be done.

Catholic Public Domain Version
His sister was standing at a distance and was wondering what would happen.

New American Bible
His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

New Revised Standard Version
His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his sister stood from a distance that she would know what would be done to him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his sister was watching from a distance, to learn what would happen to him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Birth of Moses
3But when she could no longer hide him, she got him a papyrus basket and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in the basket and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4And his sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Cross References
Hebrews 11:23
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict.

Acts 7:20-21
At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house. / When he was set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.

Exodus 6:20
And Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.

Numbers 26:59
and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam.

Matthew 2:13-15
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Acts 7:22
So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

Exodus 1:22
Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.”

Exodus 15:20
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.

1 Samuel 1:22
but Hannah did not go. “After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband, “I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently.”

2 Timothy 1:5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

Genesis 46:8
Now these are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.

Genesis 50:23
He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees.

Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

Luke 2:7
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

1 Kings 2:19
So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.


Treasury of Scripture

And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

Exodus 15:20
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Numbers 12:1-15
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman…

Numbers 20:1
Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

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Exodus 2
1. Moses is born, and placed in a basket in the reeds of Nile.
5. He is found, and brought up by Pharaoh's daughter;
7. who employs his mother to nurse him.
11. He kills an Egyptian.
13. He reproves a Hebrew.
15. He flees into Midian, and marries Zipporah.
22. Gershom is born.
23. God respects the Israelites' cry.














And his sister
This phrase introduces Miriam, the sister of Moses, who plays a crucial role in the early life of Moses. The Hebrew word for "sister" is "אָחוֹת" (achot), which signifies a familial bond and responsibility. Miriam's presence here is significant as it highlights the protective and watchful role she assumes over her brother. In the broader scriptural context, Miriam is later recognized as a prophetess and leader among the Israelites (Exodus 15:20), indicating her importance in God's plan.

stood at a distance
The Hebrew word for "stood" is "וַתֵּתַצַּב" (vatetatzav), which implies a deliberate and attentive posture. Miriam's action of standing "at a distance" (מֵרָחֹק, merachok) suggests both caution and care. This distance allowed her to observe without drawing attention to herself, reflecting wisdom and foresight. Historically, this setting along the Nile River was fraught with danger, yet Miriam's courage and vigilance are evident as she watches over her brother.

to see
The phrase "to see" (לָדַעַת, lada'at) in Hebrew conveys more than just physical sight; it implies understanding and discernment. Miriam's intent was not merely to observe but to comprehend the unfolding events and to be ready to act if necessary. This reflects a deep sense of responsibility and faith, trusting in God's providence while being prepared to intervene.

what would happen to him
This phrase captures the uncertainty and hope surrounding Moses' fate. The Hebrew "מַה־יֵּעָשֶׂה לוֹ" (mah-ye'aseh lo) suggests an openness to the future, acknowledging that the outcome is in God's hands. Historically, the context of Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:22) adds tension to this moment. Yet, this narrative foreshadows God's deliverance and the pivotal role Moses will play in the liberation of the Israelites.

(4) His sister.--Presumably Miriam, the only sister of Moses mentioned elsewhere (Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers 26:59). To have taken the part which is assigned her in this chapter, she must have been a girl of some fourteen or fifteen years of age, and possessed of much quickness and intelligence.

Verse 4. - His sister. There can be no reasonable doubt that this is the "Miriam" of the later narrative (Exodus 15:20, 21; Numbers 20:1), who seems to have been Moses' only sister (Numbers 26:59). She was probably set to watch by her mother.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And his sister
אֲחֹת֖וֹ (’ă·ḥō·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

stood
וַתֵּתַצַּ֥ב (wat·tê·ṯaṣ·ṣaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3320: To set or station oneself, take one's stand

at a distance
מֵרָחֹ֑ק (mê·rā·ḥōq)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious

to see
לְדֵעָ֕ה (lə·ḏê·‘āh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

would happen
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה (yê·‘ā·śeh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to him.
לֽוֹ׃ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Law: Exodus 2:4 His sister stood far off to see (Exo. Ex)
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