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Moses Roles In The Passover Story Of Exodus

Decent Essays

Exodus 1-7 documents the beginning of the Passover story, but more importantly, in this case, intertwines the story of twelve different female protagonists; each greatly influences the life of Moses by fulfilling their roles as nurturers, protectors, and leaders. The list begins with the Hebrew midwives, proceeds with the woman [Moses’ mother], sister [Miriam], daughter of Pharaoh, and the seven sisters [particularly Zipporah]. To fully understand their roles, the interlinear bible will be used to examine as well to note any meanings lost in translation that may further help to characterize them. The Hebrew midwives Shiphrah—shapar, to be pleasing, and Puah—yapa, to be shining (Bible Hub n.pag.) are the first women whose roles we see in Exodus. …show more content…

The interesting aspect of this story, however, is that the servant is Miriam the prophet, Moses’ sister. Miriam, later translated into Mary (Bible Hub n.pag.), ensured the safe keeping of Moses by watching his descent down the Nile and by suggesting the wet nurse be his actual mother (unknown to the pharaoh’s daughter), Jochebed (NRSV, Exodus 2:7-2:8). The same qualities that we see in Puah reflected in Miriam, though Miriam is never said to marry or bear children. Without the rebellion of both the daughter of Pharaoh and Miriam, the exodus would not have occurred, making both just as vital to his ability to succeed as …show more content…

Although the exact nature of these characters remains unknown, it is clear that these women serve as leaders, contrary to several patriarchal stories throughout the Bible; the literary importance of each one is all the more meaningful and dire in the context of the story because of this. Without these characters, we lose the ability to experience nurturing, protection, leadership and the product these actions create in the Bible; without these female protagonists, we lose the notion of the importance of matriarchal roles in the

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