# Jochebed ## Name(s) and Meaning - **Names:** Jochebed - **Meaning:** "Yahweh is glory" or "Yahweh is my glory" - **Significance:** Her name reflects the faith and reverence for God, highlighting her role as a mother who trusted God's plan for her children. ## Lifespan/Timeline - **Lifespan:** Exact dates are not provided in scripture, but she lived during the time the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, before the Exodus. - **Historical Context:** She lived during the period when the Israelites were under Egyptian bondage, leading up to the Exodus, roughly the 15th to 13th century BC. ## Roles/Titles - **Roles:** Mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. - **Significance:** Jochebed is noted for her faith and courage in preserving the life of her son Moses by placing him in a basket on the Nile River, leading to his adoption by Pharaoh's daughter. She played a crucial role in the deliverance of Israel as the mother of its leader, Moses, and the first high priest, Aaron. ## Tags - #biblical-figures - #roles-mother - #timelines-exodus ## Cross-References - Jochebed is introduced as the mother of Moses in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]. - Her genealogy is mentioned in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers Chapter 26]]. ## Key References: Jochebed ### Primary Passages - **Birth of Moses:** [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]—Jochebed is identified as the mother of Moses. She hides him for three months to protect him from Pharaoh’s edict to kill Hebrew male infants. - **Family of Moses:** [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 6|Exodus Chapter 6]]—Jochebed is mentioned as the daughter of Levi, the wife of Amram, and the mother of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. ### Mentions in Genealogies - **Levitical Lineage:** Mentioned in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers Chapter 26:59]], where Jochebed is again identified as a daughter of Levi, which situates her within the tribe designated for priestly duties, underscoring the spiritual significance of her family line. ### New Testament References - Jochebed is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. However, her faith and actions can be seen as part of the exemplary faith lineage discussed in the Hall of Faith in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11|Hebrews Chapter 11:23]], where Moses' parents are commended for their faith. ### Prophetic/Typological References - **Preservation of the Deliverer:** Jochebed’s action in saving Moses prefigures God’s deliverance of His people. Moses, as a type of Christ, becomes a deliverer of Israel, pointing forward to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]], [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 2|Matthew Chapter 2:13-15]]). ### Tags - #key-references - #genealogy - #typology - #moses-family - #faith - #deliverance ## Relationships: Jochebed ### Family Relationships - **Parents:** Amram's wife; her parents are not named in scripture. - **Spouse:** Amram ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 6|Exodus Chapter 6]], [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers Chapter 26]]). - **Children:** Moses ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]), Aaron ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 6|Exodus Chapter 6]]), Miriam ([[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers Chapter 26]]). - **Descendants:** Grandmother to Gershom and Eliezer (sons of Moses) ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 18|Exodus Chapter 18]]). ### Allies/Friends - **Miriam:** Her daughter, who assisted in saving Moses by watching over him and arranging for Jochebed to nurse him ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). - **Pharaoh’s Daughter:** Although not directly an ally, Pharaoh’s daughter played a crucial role in saving Moses, whom Jochebed later nursed ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Adversaries/Conflicts - **Pharaoh:** His decree to kill Hebrew male infants posed a direct threat to her son Moses, prompting Jochebed to hide him ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 1|Exodus Chapter 1]], [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Spiritual Relationships - **God:** Although direct interactions are not recorded, Jochebed's faith is evident in her courage and trust in God to save her son. Her actions reflect a deep reliance on God's providence ([[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11|Hebrews Chapter 11]]). ### Tags - #relationships - #family - #allies - #conflicts - #relationship-with-God - #faith - #jochebed ## Significance: Jochebed ### Theological Importance - **Faith and Obedience:** Jochebed exemplifies faith and obedience by protecting her son, Moses, in defiance of Pharaoh’s edict, trusting God’s provision and plan ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). Her actions underscore the theme of faithful obedience in the face of danger. - **God’s Providence:** Her story highlights God’s providential care in using seemingly small and personal acts to fulfill His larger redemptive purposes ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Historical Context - **Preservation of Moses:** Jochebed’s actions directly lead to the preservation of Moses, who would become God's chosen leader to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, thus playing a crucial role in the Exodus narrative ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). - **Lineage of Levi:** As a member of the tribe of Levi, Jochebed contributes to the priestly lineage, which holds significance in Israel's worship and service to God ([[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers Chapter 26]]). ### Symbolism and Typology - **Ark of Bulrushes:** The basket (or ark) in which she places Moses can be seen as a symbol of salvation, similar to Noah’s ark, representing safety amidst chaos and destruction ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]], [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 6|Genesis Chapter 6]]). - **Motherhood and Deliverance:** Jochebed’s role as a mother who delivers her son can be seen as a typological precursor to the deliverance that God would bring through Moses and ultimately through Christ, the deliverer of humankind ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]], [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 2|Matthew Chapter 2]]). ### Tags - #significance - #theological-themes - #faith - #obedience - #biblical-history - #typology - #providence ## Character Study: Jochebed ### Strengths and Virtues - **Protective:** Jochebed exhibited great courage and protective instincts by hiding her son Moses for three months to save him from Pharaoh's edict to kill all Hebrew male infants ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). - **Faithful:** Demonstrated strong faith in God's providence by placing baby Moses in a basket among the reeds of the Nile, trusting in God's protection and plan ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Weaknesses and Failures - The biblical text does not explicitly mention any weaknesses or failures of Jochebed. Her actions are portrayed as faithful and courageous within the scripture. ### Lessons Learned - **Trust in God's Plan:** Jochebed's story teaches us about trusting God with the lives of our children and loved ones, even in the face of dire circumstances. Her faithfulness led to Moses being saved and eventually becoming the leader who would deliver Israel from Egypt ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). - **God's Providence:** Her life illustrates how God can work through the faith and actions of individuals to fulfill His divine purposes, as seen when Pharaoh's daughter found Moses and took him in ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Tags - #strengths-protective - #strengths-faithful - #lessons-trust - #lessons-providence ## Themes and Symbolism: Jochebed ### Key Themes - **Faith and Courage:** Jochebed's actions in hiding her son Moses demonstrate a profound faith and courage in the face of danger ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). Her faith is later acknowledged in the broader narrative of the Israelites' deliverance ([[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11|Hebrews Chapter 11]]). - **Maternal Sacrifice:** Jochebed's willingness to give up her child for his safety underscores themes of sacrificial love and trust in God's plan ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Symbolic Elements - **Basket in the Nile:** The basket made of bulrushes and placed in the Nile symbolizes preservation and divine protection. It parallels the ark of Noah as a vessel of salvation amidst chaos ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]], [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 6|Genesis Chapter 6]]). - **Pharaoh’s Daughter:** The intervention of Pharaoh’s daughter symbolizes God’s sovereignty and ability to use unexpected people and circumstances to fulfill His purposes ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Foreshadowing/Typology - **Moses as Deliverer:** Jochebed’s act of saving Moses foreshadows Moses’ future role as the deliverer of Israel, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate Deliverer of humanity ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 3|Exodus Chapter 3]], [[Acts/Acts Chapter 7|Acts Chapter 7]]). - **Preservation of the Remnant:** Jochebed’s preservation of Moses symbolizes God’s care for His chosen people, ensuring the continuation of His covenant promises through a faithful remnant ([[Romans/Romans Chapter 11|Romans Chapter 11]]). ### Tags - #themes - #symbolism - #typology - #foreshadowing - #faith - #courage - #sacrifice - #deliverance ## Connections: Jochebed ### Parallel Figures - **Hannah:** Both Jochebed and Hannah dedicated their sons to God’s service, trusting in His protection and provision ([[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 1|1 Samuel Chapter 1]]). - **Elizabeth:** Similar to Jochebed, Elizabeth was the mother of a key prophetic figure, John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord ([[Luke/Luke Chapter 1|Luke Chapter 1]]). ### Foreshadowing/Typology - **Christ's Preservation:** Jochebed’s act of placing Moses in a basket on the Nile foreshadows God’s protective plan for Jesus when Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to escape Herod ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]], [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 2|Matthew Chapter 2]]). - **Salvation Through Water:** Moses' deliverance from the water prefigures the salvation of believers through the waters of baptism ([[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 3|1 Peter Chapter 3]]). ### Cultural/Historical Context - **Egyptian Bondage:** Jochebed’s story unfolds during the time of Israel’s enslavement in Egypt, highlighting the theme of deliverance that permeates the Exodus narrative ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 1|Exodus Chapter 1]]). - **Levitical Lineage:** As a member of the tribe of Levi, Jochebed’s lineage is significant for the establishment of the priesthood in Israel ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 6|Exodus Chapter 6]]). ### Tags - #parallel-figures - #foreshadowing-Christ - #historical-context - #deliverance - #faithful-mother ## Legacy: Jochebed ### Impact on Israel/Church - **Preserver of the Deliverer:** Jochebed played a crucial role in the preservation of Moses, who would become the deliverer of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Her courageous act of placing Moses in a basket on the Nile ensured his survival and eventual leadership ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). - **Influence on Moses' Identity:** By nursing Moses and instilling in him the knowledge of his Hebrew heritage, Jochebed contributed to his understanding of his identity and mission as God's chosen leader for Israel ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Mentions in Later Scripture - **Genealogical Reference:** Jochebed is mentioned in the genealogical records, highlighting her role in the Levitical lineage and the importance of her family in Israel’s priesthood ([[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers Chapter 26]]). - **Recognition of Her Faith:** Although not named, her actions are implicitly celebrated in the New Testament's hall of faith, where Moses' parents' faith is commended ([[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11|Hebrews Chapter 11]]). ### Spiritual Lessons - **Courage and Trust in God:** Jochebed's life exemplifies the courage to trust in God’s protection and plan, even in dire circumstances. Her faith in placing Moses in the river serves as a powerful example of surrender and trust ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). - **Parental Influence:** Her nurturing and teaching shaped Moses' early understanding of his cultural and spiritual heritage, demonstrating the lasting impact of parental guidance on a child's faith and identity. ### Modern Applications - Jochebed's legacy encourages believers to act courageously and trust God with their children’s futures, even amidst challenging circumstances. - Her example is often used in discussions about the influence of mothers and the importance of instilling faith and identity in the next generation. ### Tags - #legacy - #impact-on-israel - #spiritual-lessons - #courage - #faith - #parentalinfluence ## Geography: Jochebed ### Significant Locations - **Egypt:** Jochebed lived in Egypt during the time of Israel's enslavement. It was here that she gave birth to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. The oppressive conditions of Pharaoh's rule led to her significant act of faith in hiding Moses to save him from the decree that all Hebrew male infants be killed ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 1|Exodus Chapter 1]], [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). - **The Nile River:** The river where Jochebed placed Moses in a basket to save him from Pharaoh’s decree. This act of faith led to Pharaoh’s daughter discovering Moses, ultimately leading to his adoption into the Egyptian royal family ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Travel and Movement - **Movement within Egypt:** While the Bible does not detail extensive travel by Jochebed, her actions indicate movement within the region of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, and to the Nile River to place Moses in the basket. Her movements were driven by the necessity to protect her child from Pharaoh’s edict ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Historical/Spiritual Context - **Egypt's Oppression:** The setting of Egypt is crucial, as it represents the place of Israel's bondage and the subsequent deliverance that God would enact through Moses, Jochebed's son. Jochebed's faith in God amidst this oppression is a testament to her trust in His promises ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 1|Exodus Chapter 1]]). - **The Nile's Significance:** The Nile, a symbol of life and sustenance in Egypt, becomes a place of divine intervention and salvation for Moses. Jochebed’s faith in placing Moses in the Nile underscores God's providential care and the unnoticed ways He prepares for deliverance ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). ### Tags - #geography - #locations-egypt - #locations-nile - #travel - #faith - #deliverance ## Additional Resources: Jochebed ### Cross-Referenced Scripture - **Birth and Early Life of Moses:** Details about Moses' early life and the actions taken by Jochebed to protect him ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]]). - **Jochebed's Family:** Reference to Jochebed as the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam ([[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers Chapter 26]]). - **Faithful Actions:** Jochebed's faith and actions are praised as part of the lineage of faith ([[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11|Hebrews Chapter 11]]). ### Genealogical References - **Lineage of Levi:** Jochebed is identified as a daughter of Levi and mother to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 6|Exodus Chapter 6]], [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers Chapter 26]]). - **Family of Amram:** Jochebed is mentioned as the wife of Amram in genealogies ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 6|Exodus Chapter 6]]). ### Maps and Geographic References - **Land of Goshen:** Identifying the setting where Jochebed lived and where Moses was born, which is in the region of Goshen in Egypt ([[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 47|Genesis Chapter 47]], [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 1|Exodus Chapter 1]]). ### Recommended Bible Study Passages - **Jochebed’s Act of Faith:** [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 2|Exodus Chapter 2]], which details her decision to hide Moses and eventually place him in a basket on the Nile. - **Legacy of Faith:** [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11|Hebrews Chapter 11]], which highlights the faith of Moses' parents. ### Tags - #additional-resources - #cross-references - #genealogy - #maps - #faith - #motherhood - #courage