Exodus 2

“And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.” Naming Levi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch…” The line’s distinctive content terms include brink, bulrushes, child. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include afar, sister, stood. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side…” Naming Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.” Naming Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And…” Naming Pharaoh and Take keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses…” Naming Because and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the…” Naming Egyptian keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the…” Naming Moses and Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and…” Naming Egyptian keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.” Naming Moses and Zipporah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.” Naming Gershom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.