Moses

Known as the great prince of Egypt who eventually became a prophet, Moses has made a significant part in the Hebrew Bible. Pharaoh’s daughter named him Moses (Hebrew Mosheh), as she drew him out (Hebrew meshitihu) of the water. The name Moses in Egyptian means “son”, as derived from the Egyptian word “mes”. In Hebrew, he was referred to as Moshe Rabbenu, which means “Moses our Rabbi”. He was also noted as one of the most important prophets in Judaism, Islam, Christianity and other religions. He can be found on the Bible Timeline Chart starting in 1504 BC.

The birth of Moses occurred at the time when the Israelites, particularly the children, were viewed as a threat to the Pharaoh’s power. The Israelite population continued to increase, and the Pharoah was afraid they might all become allies to the opponents of Egypt. Thus, an order was made, which would kill all the newborn Hebrew boys in the nation. When this news reached Jochebed, the Hebrew mother of Moses, she decided to spare the child’s life by hiding him in a basket. Then, she let the basket travel through the lengths of the Nile River.

Romans 9:15,17

15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."[6] 16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Queen Bithia, the sister of the Pharaoh, decided to adopt the child upon seeing it nestled in a basket that was floating along the river. Hence, Moses was raised in the royal family of Egypt where he basked in a life of luxury.