Exodus Chapter 2 verse 17 Holy Bible
And the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
read chapter 2 in ASV
And the keepers of the sheep came up and were driving them away; but Moses got up and came to their help, watering their flock for them.
read chapter 2 in BBE
And the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses rose and helped them, and watered their flock.
read chapter 2 in DARBY
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
read chapter 2 in KJV
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
read chapter 2 in WBT
The shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
read chapter 2 in WEB
and the shepherds come and drive them away, and Moses ariseth, and saveth them, and watereth their flock.
read chapter 2 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 17. - The shepherds came and drove them away. There is not much "natural politeness" among primitive peoples. The right of the stronger prevails, and women go to the wall. Even the daughters of their priest were not respected by these rude sons of the desert, who would not wait their turn, but used the water which Reners daughters had drawn. The context shows that this was not an accidental or occasional circumstance, but the regular practice of the shepherds, who thus day after day saved themselves the trouble of drawing. (See the next verse.) Moses stood up and helped them. Ever ready to assist the weak against the strong (supra, vers. 12, 13), Moses "stood up" - sprang to his feet - and, though only one man against a dozen or a score, by his determined air intimidated the crowd of wrong-doers, and forced them to let the maidens' sheep drink at the troughs. His dress was probably that of an Egyptian of rank; and they might reasonably conclude from his boldness that he had attendants within call.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(17) The shepherds came.--Those of the neighbourhood. The rule of the desert is that those who come to a well take their turns in the use of the water in the order of their arrival. But these rude shepherds declined to wait for their turn. It appears later on, by the question of Reuel, "How is it that ye are come so soon to-day?" that this rude and unfair conduct of the shepherds was habitual.Moses stood up and helped them.--Moses is again the champion of the oppressed, but has learnt wisdom by the past, and uses no unnecessary violence. His air and manner intimidated the wrong-doers, and they allowed the maidens sheep to be watered first.
