Amram & Jochebed: The Parents Who Hid Moses

Amram & Jochebed: The Parents Who Hid Moses

Amram and Jochebed stand out as courageous parents who trusted God more than the king’s decree. Their quiet faith in hiding their newborn son Moses preserved the life of Israel’s deliverer and demonstrates how God works through faithful families to accomplish His plan.

Name & Etymology

Amram (עַמְרָם, ʿAmrām, pronounced ahm-rahm) means “exalted people” or “people of the exalted one.”

Jochebed (יוֹכֶבֶד, Yôḵeḇeḏ, pronounced yo-keh-bed) means “Yahweh is glory.”

In the Septuagint (LXX), their names appear as Ἀμράμ (Amram) and Ιωχαβέδ (Iōchabed), preserving their Hebrew meanings. Together their names proclaim that God exalts His people and reveals His glory.

Biblical Narrative (The Story)

Their story unfolds in Exodus 2:1–10 and is later celebrated in Hebrews 11:23.

• Faith Amid Fear: “About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months” (Exodus 2:1–2, NLT). Despite Pharaoh’s order to kill all Hebrew baby boys, they trusted God and concealed their child.

• Placing Moses in the Nile: “But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River” (Exodus 2:3, NLT).

• Faith Commended: The New Testament praises their courage: “It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command” (Hebrews 11:23, NLT).

Historical & Cultural Context

Living under Pharaoh’s harsh rule, Amram and Jochebed faced the threat of death for defying his decree. By hiding their child, they risked everything. Their actions show the strength of family faith in the face of systemic oppression.

Character & Themes

Amram and Jochebed represent faith, courage, and the sanctity of life. Their decision to risk everything for their child reveals the depth of trust in God’s promises to preserve Israel.

Connection to Christ

Their story foreshadows the protection of Jesus as an infant. Just as Herod sought to kill the newborn Messiah, Pharaoh sought to kill Hebrew boys. Both Moses and Jesus were saved through divine providence so they could become deliverers of their people.

Theological Significance

Amram and Jochebed illustrate that God works through faithful families to accomplish His redemptive plan. Their courage to defy unjust commands highlights the call to obey God above human authority when the two conflict.

Myths & Misconceptions

• Myth: They knew Moses would be the deliverer.

  
  

  Truth: Scripture says they saw he was “special,” but their obedience was an act of faith, trusting God’s purpose without full understanding.

• Myth: Their hiding of Moses was mere parental instinct.

  
  

  Truth: Hebrews 11:23 praises their action as a deliberate act of faith.

Application

Amram and Jochebed challenge us to practice courageous faith at home. God calls parents to protect and nurture life, even when culture or government is hostile to His ways. Their example reminds all believers to trust God’s providence in protecting the next generation.

Conclusion

Amram and Jochebed’s quiet courage changed history. By faith they hid their child, and through their obedience God raised up Moses, the great deliverer of Israel. Their story proves that God often works His greatest miracles through ordinary families who trust Him completely.