Exodus 2:14
New International Version
The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known.”

New Living Translation
The man replied, “Who appointed you to be our prince and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?” Then Moses was afraid, thinking, “Everyone knows what I did.”

English Standard Version
He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

New King James Version
Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!”

New American Standard Bible
But he said, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known!”

NASB 1995
But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”

NASB 1977
But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But he said, “Who made you a ruler or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”

Amplified Bible
But the man said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Certainly this incident is known.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Who made you a commander and judge over us? ” the man replied. “Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? ” Then Moses became afraid and thought, “What I did is certainly known.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Who made you a leader and judge over us?” the man replied. “Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses became afraid and thought: What I did is certainly known.

American Standard Version
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely the thing is known.

Contemporary English Version
The man answered, "Who put you in charge of us and made you our judge? Are you planning to kill me, just like you killed that Egyptian?" This frightened Moses because he was sure that people must have found out what had happened.

English Revised Version
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely the thing is known.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The man asked, "Who made you our ruler and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought that everyone knew what he had done.

Good News Translation
The man answered, "Who made you our ruler and judge? Are you going to kill me just as you killed that Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and said to himself, "People have found out what I have done."

International Standard Version
The man replied, "Who appointed you to be an official judge over us? Are you planning to kill me like you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses became terrified and told himself, "Certainly this event has become known!"

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
The man replied, "Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Are you planning to kill me like you killed that Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid, thinking, "Surely what I did has become known."

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you plan to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" Moses was afraid, and said, "Surely this thing is known."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

World English Bible
He said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you plan to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?” Moses was afraid, and said, “Surely this thing is known.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says, “Who set you for a head and judge over us? Are you saying [it] to slay me as you have slain the Egyptian?” And Moses fears and says, “Surely the thing has been known.”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith, 'Who set thee for a head and a judge over us? to slay me art thou saying it, as thou hast slain the Egyptian?' and Moses feareth, and saith, 'Surely the thing hath been known.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Who set thee for a chief man and judge over us? dost thou think to kill me as thou didst kill the Egyptian? and Moses will be afraid, and will say, Surely, this word was known.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he answered: Who hath appointed thee prince and judge over us: wilt thou kill me, as thou didst yesterday kill the Egyptian? Moses feared, and said: How is this come to be known ?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he responded: “Who appointed you as leader and judge over us? Do you want to kill me, just as yesterday you killed the Egyptian?” Moses was afraid, and he said, “How has this word become known?”

New American Bible
But he replied, “Who has appointed you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses became afraid and thought, “The affair must certainly be known.”

New Revised Standard Version
He answered, “Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “Surely the thing is known.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday? And Moses was afraid, and said, Surely this thing is known.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to him, “Who made you a great man and a Judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?” And Moshe was afraid and he said, “Truly, the matter has been made known.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? thinkest thou to kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian?' And Moses feared, and said: 'Surely the thing is known.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? wilt thou slay me as thou yesterday slewest the Egyptian? Then Moses was alarmed, and said, If it be thus, this matter has become known.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Kills an Egyptian
13The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your companion?” 14But 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.”

Cross References
Acts 7:27-28
But the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? / Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

Acts 7:35
This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

Genesis 19:9
“Get out of the way!” they replied. And they declared, “This one came here as a foreigner, and he is already acting like a judge! Now we will treat you worse than them.” And they pressed in on Lot and moved in to break down the door.

Genesis 37:8
“Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements.

Numbers 16:13-14
Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? / Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!”

1 Samuel 17:28
Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!”

1 Samuel 25:10
But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.

2 Samuel 2:22-23
Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?” / But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.

2 Samuel 3:25
Surely you realize that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to track your movements and all that you are doing.”

Psalm 2:1-3
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”

Psalm 118:22
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Mark 12:10
Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Luke 20:17
But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? intend you to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

who.

Genesis 19:9
And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

Genesis 37:8-11,19,20
And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words…

Numbers 16:3,13
And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? …

a prince.

Genesis 13:8
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

Moses.

Proverbs 19:12
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

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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.














But the man replied
This phrase introduces a response from one of the Hebrew men whom Moses had previously tried to help. The Hebrew word for "man" here is "אִישׁ" (ish), which is a common term for a male individual. In the context of Exodus, it often refers to an adult male with a sense of responsibility or authority. This sets the stage for a confrontation, highlighting the tension and misunderstanding between Moses and his fellow Hebrews.

Who made you ruler and judge over us?
This question challenges Moses' authority and legitimacy. The Hebrew words "שַׂר" (sar) for "ruler" and "שֹׁפֵט" (shofet) for "judge" are significant. "Sar" implies a leader or prince, while "shofet" suggests someone who decides or governs. Historically, these roles were crucial in maintaining order and justice. The question reflects the skepticism and resistance Moses faced, even from his own people, foreshadowing the challenges of leadership and the need for divine appointment and validation.

Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?
This phrase reveals the awareness of Moses' previous actions and the fear it instilled. The Hebrew verb "הָרַג" (harag) means "to kill" or "to slay," indicating a deliberate act of violence. The mention of the Egyptian's death underscores the gravity of Moses' situation and the potential consequences of his actions. It also highlights the theme of justice and retribution, as Moses' attempt to defend his people leads to unintended exposure and danger.

Then Moses was afraid and thought
Here, the narrative shifts to Moses' internal reaction. The Hebrew word "יָרֵא" (yare) for "afraid" conveys a deep sense of fear or dread. This fear is not just of physical harm but also of the repercussions of his actions being known. Moses' fear marks a turning point, prompting his eventual flight from Egypt. It reflects the human emotion of fear in the face of exposure and the need for divine guidance and protection.

What I did must have become known
This realization by Moses indicates the spread of information and the loss of secrecy. The Hebrew root "יָדַע" (yada) means "to know," suggesting that Moses' actions were no longer hidden. This acknowledgment of exposure is crucial, as it propels Moses into a new phase of his life, leading to his eventual encounter with God at the burning bush. It underscores the theme of divine providence, where even human mistakes and fears are woven into God's greater plan for deliverance and redemption.

(14) Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?--As the reputed son of a princess, Moses would be in some sort a "prince." But no one had given him jurisdiction over the Hebrews. He had not really interfered as one who claimed authority, but as any man of position and education naturally interferes to stop a quarrel.

Intendest thou to kill me?--Here is the sting of the rejoinder; here was the assumption of authority--not in the interposition of to-day, but in the blow of yesterday. That fatal error laid Moses open to attack, and deprived him of the influence as a peacemaker which he might otherwise have exercised over his countrymen.

Surely this thing is known.--We are not told how the "thing" came to be known. "Murder will out," says the English proverb. Perhaps, though Moses thought himself unnoticed, some Egyptian had seen the deed. Perhaps the man whom he had avenged had told the tale.

Verse 14. - Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? It was not his interference now, but his wrongful act of the day before, that exposed Moses to this rebuke. There was no assumption of lordship or of judicial authority in the bare inquiry, "Why smitest thou thy neighhour?" nor in the fuller phrase reported by St. Stephen, "Sirs, ye are brethren. Why do ye wrong one to another?" (Acts 7:26), unless as coupled with the deed of the preceding day. Thus the violence of today renders of no avail the loving persuasion of to-morrow; the influence for good which the education and position of Moses might have enabled him to exercise upon his nation was lost by the very act to which he had been urged by his sympathy with them; it was an act which could be thrown in his teeth, an act which he could not justify, which he trembled to find was known. The retort of the aggressor stopped his mouth at once, and made his interposition valueless.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the man replied,
וַ֠יֹּאמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Who
מִ֣י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

made
שָֽׂמְךָ֞ (śā·mə·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

you
לְאִ֨ישׁ (lə·’îš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

ruler
שַׂ֤ר (śar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

and judge
וְשֹׁפֵט֙ (wə·šō·p̄êṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

over us?
עָלֵ֔ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Are you
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

planning
אֹמֵ֔ר (’ō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to kill
הַלְהָרְגֵ֙נִי֙ (hal·hā·rə·ḡê·nî)
Preposition | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

me as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you killed
הָרַ֖גְתָּ (hā·raḡ·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

the Egyptian?”
הַמִּצְרִ֑י (ham·miṣ·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

Then Moses
מֹשֶׁה֙ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

was afraid
וַיִּירָ֤א (way·yî·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

and thought,
וַיֹּאמַ֔ר (way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This thing I have done
הַדָּבָֽר׃ (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

has surely
אָכֵ֖ן (’ā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 403: Firmly, surely, but

become known.”
נוֹדַ֥ע (nō·w·ḏa‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know


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OT Law: Exodus 2:14 He said Who made you a prince (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 2:13
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