Real Hope: Women in the Bibleናሙና

Jochebed

Jochebed was the mother of Aaron, Moses and Miriam. To protect Moses from Pharaoh’s command that every Hebrew male baby be killed, Jochebed placed Moses in a basket on the river. After Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the baby, Jochebed became his nurse, and she kept Moses until he was weaned (and perhaps until he was 8–12 years old.) While with his mother, Moses learnt Hebrew history, developed loyalty to his people, and understood the call to deliver them. Jochebed was able to impart knowledge of God to Moses, and God used her courageous acts to position him in Pharaoh’s house.

The author of Hebrews recorded that Moses’ parents ‘were not afraid of Pharaoh’s decree’ (Hebrews 11:23) and Jochebed exemplified courage to fear God rather than man with a steadfast faith in God’s promises and providences. God honoured her unwavering faith by delivering the Hebrews from Egyptian enslavement through Moses, and by placing her other son, Aaron, as high priest. Her daughter Miriam rose to prominence among the Hebrew women and Jochebed’s entire tribal family was selected by God to lead the rituals of worship for His people.

Jochebed means ‘Jehovah glorified’ and she certainly lived out her name!

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN