Exodus 2 in the early church

163 passages quote, allude to, or echo Exodus 2, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24

Exodus 2:1

Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:1–10Demonstration 11.8 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Exod 2:1–6On the Life of Moses 303 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 2:1–15On the Life of Moses 425 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 2:1–9Exodus, lines 46–71 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Exod 2:1–15City of God 16.43 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426

Exodus 2:2

and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:2Miscellanies 1.23.151 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:2Miscellanies 1.23.155 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:2Homilies on Exodus 2.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:2Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:2On the Incarnation 35.8 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 318–325
Exod 2:2–3On the Life of Moses 327 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 2:2City of God 18.8 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Exod 2:2–3Part 1, chapter 33 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 2:3

But 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.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:3On Pascha 59 · text not on this site · Melito of Sardisallusion, high confidenceca. 160-180
Exod 2:3On Pascha 69 · text not on this site · Melito of Sardisallusion, medium confidenceca. 160-180
Exod 2:3Miscellanies 1.23.151 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:3Homilies on Exodus 2.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:3Acta Archelai (Latin) 50 · Hegemoniusallusion, high confidenceearly to mid 4th century (Greek original)
Exod 2:3Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:3Treatise on the Mysteries 1.28.2 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–366
Exod 2:3Oration 33.8 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 2:3–12On the Life of Moses 329 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 2:3Letters 38.3 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413

Exodus 2:4

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

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:4Miscellanies 1.23.151 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:4Homilies on Exodus 2.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)

Exodus 2:5

Soon the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe in the Nile, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. And when she saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maidservant to retrieve it.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:5Miscellanies 1.23.152 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:5Miscellanies 1.23.155 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:5Homilies on Exodus 2.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:5Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:5Treatise on the Mysteries 1.28.3 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–366
Exod 2:5–10Hexameron (Exameron) 1.6 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390
Exod 2:5–10Part 1, chapter 33 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 2:6

When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the little boy was crying. So she had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrew children.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:6Miscellanies 1.23.152 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:6Homilies on Exodus 2.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)

Exodus 2:7

Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:7Miscellanies 1.23.152 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:7Homilies on Exodus 2.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:7Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:7Treatise on the Mysteries 1.28.3 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–366
Exod 2:7–22On the Life of Moses 305 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395

Exodus 2:9

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages.” So the woman took the boy and nursed him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:9Miscellanies 1.23.152 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:9Homilies on Exodus 2.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:9Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324

Exodus 2:10

When the child had grown older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and explained, “I drew him out of the water.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:10Hortatory Address to the Greeks 10 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence2nd–3rd century (disputed)
Exod 2:10Miscellanies 1.23.152 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:10Miscellanies 1.23.155 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:10Fragments on Genesis, column 165 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 2:10Homilies on Exodus 2.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:10Recognitions 1.48 · Anonymousecho, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Exod 2:10Preparation for the Gospel 9.27.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:10Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:10Demonstration of the Gospel 1.6.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 314–324
Exod 2:10Life of Constantine 1.12.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 337–339
Exod 2:10–15On the Trinity 5.21 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 356–360
Exod 2:10Treatise on the Mysteries 1.28.3 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–366
Exod 2:10Homilies 20.1 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 363-378
Exod 2:10Question 106, section 1 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 2:10Eleven Tractates 5.82 · Priscillianallusion, medium confidenceca. 380–385
Exod 2:10Exposition of Psalm 118 8.16.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Exod 2:10Sermon 51.28 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Exod 2:10Against Faustus the Manichaean 3.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 2:10Tractates 1 · Gaudentius of Bresciaallusion, low confidenceca. 397-410
Exod 2:10The Harmony of the Gospels 2.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–400
Exod 2:10–15Exodus, lines 72–95 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Exod 2:10City of God 18.37 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426

Exodus 2:11

One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:11Miscellanies 1.23.153 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:11Homilies on Leviticus 14.2 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:11Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:11–15Demonstration 2.8 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Exod 2:11Treatise on the Mysteries 1.29.3 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–366
Exod 2:11Hexaemeron 1.1 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 370
Exod 2:11–15On Cain and Abel 2.14 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 375-378
Exod 2:11–13On the Life of Moses 337 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 2:11–15Hexameron (Exameron) 1.6 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-390
Exod 2:11–15Homily 12 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Exod 2:11–12Part 1, chapter 33 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 2:12

After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:12Miscellanies 1.23.153 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:12On Mount Sinai and Mount Zion 9 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence3rd cent. (disputed)
Exod 2:12Homily on Isaiah 6 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 235–250
Exod 2:12Homilies on Numbers 7.1 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:12Homilies 2.52 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Exod 2:12Preparation for the Gospel 9.27.18 · Eusebius of Caesareaecho, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:12Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:12Preparation for the Gospel 9.29.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:12Letter 143 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 360–390
Exod 2:12Treatise on the Mysteries 1.29.3 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–366
Exod 2:12Tractates on the Psalms 118.5.8 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, medium confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 2:12Commentary on Romans 5:13 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 366–384
Exod 2:12On the Duties of the Clergy 1.36 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386–390
Exod 2:12Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 2:12Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.70 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 2:12Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.90 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 2:12Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.98 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 2:12Tractates 5 · Gaudentius of Bresciaallusion, high confidenceca. 397-410

Exodus 2:13

The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your companion?”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:13Miscellanies 1.23.156 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:13–14Against Marcion 4.28 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Exod 2:13Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:13–17On the Life of Moses 331 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Exod 2:13–14Part 1, chapter 34 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 2:14

But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “This thing I have done has surely become known.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:141 Clement 4.10 · Clement of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Exod 2:14Miscellanies 1.23.156 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:14Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:14Preparation for the Gospel 9.29.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:14Demonstration 2.8 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345
Exod 2:14Treatise on the Mysteries 1.29.3 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–366
Exod 2:14Apostolic Constitutions 6.2.7 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Exod 2:14Homilies on Matthew 50.2 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390
Exod 2:14Homily 10.1 on 1 Timothy · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 392-397

Exodus 2:15

When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:15Miscellanies 1.23.156 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:15Homily on Luke 10 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 233–250
Exod 2:15Homilies on Numbers 12.2 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:15Preparation for the Gospel 9.27.17 · Eusebius of Caesareaecho, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:15Preparation for the Gospel 9.27.19 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:15Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:15Preparation for the Gospel 9.29.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:15Life of Constantine 1.20.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 337–339
Exod 2:15Defence of His Flight 10 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 357
Exod 2:15Defence of His Flight 25 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 357
Exod 2:15Homilies on the Psalms 7.8 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 360-378
Exod 2:15Homilies 23.2 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 363-378
Exod 2:15–22Question 16, section 1 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 2:15On Fleeing the World 19 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-391
Exod 2:15Tractates 0 · Gaudentius of Bresciaallusion, medium confidenceca. 397-410
Exod 2:15–23Exodus, lines 96–119 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Exod 2:15Sermon 48 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, medium confidenceca. 425-450
Exod 2:15Part 1, chapter 34 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 2:16

Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:16Miscellanies 4.19.123 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 2:16Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324

Exodus 2:17

And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:17Letter 69.6 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Exod 2:17Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 30.25.11 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377

Exodus 2:18

When the daughters returned to their father Reuel, he asked them, “Why have you returned so early today?”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:18Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 30.25.11 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377
Exod 2:18Against Helvidius 15 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 383

Exodus 2:19

“An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they replied. “He even drew water for us and watered the flock.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:19Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 30.25.12 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377

Exodus 2:20

“So where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:20Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 30.25.12 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377

Exodus 2:21

Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:21Homilies on Numbers 12.2 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:21Preparation for the Gospel 9.27.19 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:21Preparation for the Gospel 9.28.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:21Preparation for the Gospel 9.29.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:21Homilies on Matthew 55.6 · John Chrysostomallusion, medium confidenceca. 390
Exod 2:21Questions and Answers to the Orthodox 90 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence5th century (disputed)
Exod 2:21Part 1, chapter 34 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 2:22

And she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:22Refutation of All Heresies 5.8.2 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 222–235
Exod 2:22Commentary on John 6.213 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 230–248
Exod 2:22Demonstration of the Gospel 1.9.18 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 314–324
Exod 2:22Oration 42.7 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383

Exodus 2:23

After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:23Dialogue with Trypho 59.2 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Exod 2:23PG 12:1175 (Ps 6 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 2:23PG 12:1635 (Ps 125–126 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 2:23Homily on Isaiah 1 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 235–250
Exod 2:23Homily on Isaiah 5 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 235–250
Exod 2:23–24Homilies on Numbers 27.2 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 2:23Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.129 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Exod 2:23Preparation for the Gospel 9.27.20 · Eusebius of Caesareaecho, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 2:23Oration II Against the Arians 14 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 339–346
Exod 2:23–24On Cain and Abel 2.10 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 375-378
Exod 2:23On Paradise 75 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 375-378
Exod 2:23Exposition of Psalm 118 22.5.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Exod 2:23Explanation of Twelve Psalms 61.12.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Exod 2:23Tractates 1 · Gaudentius of Bresciaallusion, medium confidenceca. 397-410
Exod 2:23Tractates 7 · Gaudentius of Bresciaallusion, high confidenceca. 397-410

Exodus 2:24

So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 2:24Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.129 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Exod 2:24Homilies on Matthew 26.7 · John Chrysostomquotation, medium confidenceca. 390
Exod 2:24Explanation of Twelve Psalms 61.12.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Exod 2:24–25Exodus, lines 120–143 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.