Exodus 2:16

16 Now the Kohen of Midyan had seven daughters. They came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

Exodus 2:16 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 2:16

Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters
Who being a descendant of Abraham might have retained the knowledge of the true God, and might be a priest of his, as Melchizedek was, or otherwise it may be thought improbable that Moses would have married his daughter, as he afterwards did; and so Aben Ezra says, he was a priest of God; though the word is sometimes used of a prince, ruler, and governor; and is so rendered here by the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; and Artapanus ^F18, an Heathen writer, expressly calls him (arcwn) , a "prince" of those places, that is, of Arabia; he might be both prince and priest, as Melchizedek before mentioned was, and as has been the usage of many countries:

and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their
father's flock;
which is no contradiction to their being daughters either of a priest or a prince, which were both high titles and characters; since it was usual in those early times, and in those countries, for the sons and daughters of considerable persons to be employed in such services; (See Gill on Genesis 29:9).

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Ut supra, (Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 27.) p. 434.

Exodus 2:16 In-Context

14 He said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you plan to kill me, as you killed the Mitzrian?" Moshe was afraid, and said, "Surely this thing is known."

15 Now when Par`oh heard this thing, he sought to kill Moshe. But Moshe fled from the face of Par`oh, and lived in the land of Midyan, and he sat down by a well.

16 Now the Kohen of Midyan had seven daughters. They came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

17 The shepherds came and drove them away; but Moshe stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

18 When they came to Re`u'el, their father, he said, "How is it that you have returned so early today?"