The Bible provides insight into who Moses’ father was. According to Exodus 6:20, Moses’ father was Amram, who was the son of Kohath, the son of Levi. This means that Moses came from the tribe of Levi. Amram married his own aunt, Jochebed, who was the daughter of Levi according to Exodus 2:1 and Numbers 26:59. Together, Amram and Jochebed had three children: Aaron, Moses and Miriam (Exodus 6:20).
Although the Bible clearly states that Amram was the biological father of Moses, there are some additional intriguing details surrounding Moses’ birth and early life that have led to further examination of who Moses’ father was. Exodus 2:1-10 describes how, after Moses was born, his mother Jochebed hid him for three months because the king of Egypt had ordered all newborn Hebrew boys to be killed. When she could no longer hide him, she made a basket of papyrus reeds and placed Moses in it on the bank of the Nile River. Moses’ sister Miriam watched over the basket from a distance. Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe in the Nile, found the basket with the baby, and adopted him as her own son. She named him Moses, which sounds like the Hebrew verb “to draw out,” perhaps because she drew him out of the water.
This has led some to speculate whether someone other than Amram was actually Moses’ biological father. Could it have been someone in Pharaoh’s court rather than a Hebrew slave? Could Moses have been the illegitimate child of Pharaoh’s daughter herself? However, these theories are conjecture. The biblical text directly and clearly identifies Amram as Moses’ father, and there is no definitive evidence to suggest otherwise. The focus of the Exodus 2 account seems to be on God’s providential protection of Moses to preserve him for the future purpose of leading the Israelites out of slavery, rather than hinting at some alternate paternity.
Looking more closely at Amram, we find a devout man of faith. Amram and Jochebed’s marriage was within the custom of their culture at the time for maintaining tribal heritage. Amram displayed spiritual leadership over his household in Exodus 2:1 when he and Jochebed defied the king’s order to murder their infant son, trusting the Lord to protect him. Hebrews 11:23 commends the faith of Moses’ parents in hiding him after he was born. Furthermore, Exodus 6:14-27 traces Amram’s lineage back to Jacob, indicates he lived 137 years, and shows his significance as a leader of the Kohathite clan.
Beyond biology, Amram fulfilled the important role of raising and educating Moses during the child’s formative early years. Acts 7:22 tells us that Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Amram was responsible for teaching Moses the history of the Hebrew people, their language, culture and laws because we see Moses strongly identified with his Hebrew heritage later in adulthood. Although we have limited details about Moses’ upbringing and relationship with his father Amram, the significant role Amram clearly played in shaping Moses’ identity and faith cannot be understated.
In summary, the Bible leaves no doubt that Amram, son of Kohath of the tribe of Levi, was the biological father of Moses. He, along with Jochebed, exhibited courageous faith in God to protect their infant son. As Moses’ father, Amram passed on to his son the heritage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He equipped Moses with the wisdom and knowledge necessary to one day deliver the Hebrew people out of bondage. Moses owed his very life, both physical and spiritual, to his father Amram.
The Bible does not provide extensive details about Amram’s life and background. However, we can infer some key facts about Amram and his role as Moses’ father from the scriptural accounts:
- Amram was from the priestly tribe of Levi, indicating he was likely devout and spiritually-minded.
- He married his aunt Jochebed, following custom to preserve tribal identity.
- Amram and Jochebed had three children together – Aaron, Moses and Miriam.
- When Pharaoh commanded Hebrew babies be killed, Amram and Jochebed risked their lives to hide Moses for 3 months.
- Amram passed on knowledge of Hebrew customs, language and laws to Moses as a child.
- He instructed Moses in Egyptian wisdom, preparing him for leadership roles.
- Amram lived 137 years, most likely 79 of those years alongside Moses.
- He served as a leader or chief of the Kohathite Levitical clan.
- Amram was the biological and spiritual father who shaped Moses into the man God called to lead Israel.
Though brief, these glimpses into Amram’s life reveal how instrumental he was in the development of Moses under God’s sovereignty. Amram left a legacy of faithfulness to God in the life of his son, a legacy that changed the trajectory of Israelite history. Though Moses towered as a biblical giant, he stood on the shoulders of his faithful father Amram.
The Bible recounts key events surrounding Moses’ birth and childhood that provide insight into his father’s identity and influence:
- Moses was born to Amram and Jochebed of the Levite tribe when the Egyptians ordered Hebrew baby boys killed (Exodus 2:1-2).
- His parents hid Moses for 3 months after his birth, displaying faith in God’s deliverance (Exodus 2:2, Hebrews 11:23).
- Jochebed placed Moses in a papyrus basket on the Nile to save his life (Exodus 2:3).
- Pharaoh’s daughter drew Moses from the Nile and adopted him (Exodus 2:5-10).
- Moses’ sister Miriam arranged for Jochebed to nurse and care for him (Exodus 2:7-9).
- Amram passed on Israelite heritage, language, laws to Moses as a child (Acts 7:22).
- Moses was educated in all Egyptian wisdom and became “powerful in speech and action” (Acts 7:22).
- At age 40, Moses killed an Egyptian slavemaster and fled Egypt (Acts 7:23-29).
- God called Moses from the burning bush at age 80 (Exodus 7:7).
These events indicate Amram risked all to save his infant son, intending to raise Moses in the Hebrew faith. Though unusual circumstances surrounded Moses’ childhood, Amram ensured Moses knew his true heritage. Amram’s faithful influence laid the groundwork for Moses to embrace God’s call. Without Amram’s courageous fathering, Moses would never have been prepared to lead Israel from Egypt.
Though the Bible does not provide extensive biographical background on Amram, combining the scriptural glimpses gives us this portrait:
– Amram was a Levite, indicating dedication to spiritual duties (Exodus 6:18).
– He married Jochebed, his father’s sister, probably to maintain tribal purity (Exodus 6:20).
– Amram and Jochebed bore three children – Moses, Aaron and Miriam (Exodus 6:20).
– Amram showed faith protecting newborn Moses from murderous edict (Exodus 2:1-2).
– He passed on Israelite heritage, language and laws to young Moses (Acts 7:22).
– Amram arranged Moses’ training in Egyptian wisdom (Acts 7:22).
– He served as leader or chief of the Kohathite Levitical clan (1 Chronicles 23:12-13).
– Amram lived 137 years, many alongside his son Moses (Exodus 6:20).
– He instilled Israelite identity and faith in Moses as a child.
– Amram shaped Moses into the deliverer God later called to lead the Exodus.
This portrait reveals Amram was a godly father who profoundly influenced Moses spiritually and culturally to embrace his Hebrew heritage against all odds. Amram forged Moses into the deliverer Israel needed.
The Bible provides some fascinating clues surrounding the events of Moses’ birth and childhood that reveal key insights about his father Amram:
– Amram married his aunt Jochebed, following cultural customs to maintain tribal purity as a Levite (Exodus 6:20).
– When Pharaoh ordered newborn Hebrew boys killed, Amram and Jochebed hid baby Moses for 3 months, displaying faith in God’s protection (Exodus 2:1-2, Hebrews 11:23).
– In desperation, Jochebed made a papyrus basket and placed Moses in the Nile to save his life (Exodus 2:3).
– Moses’ sister Miriam watched over him and arranged for Jochebed to nurse him after Pharaoh’s daughter drew him from the river (Exodus 2:4-9).
– Though adopted into Pharaoh’s court, Moses identified with his oppressed Hebrew kin (Exodus 2:11-12).
– Amram passed onto Moses the heritage, language, customs and laws of the Israelites despite unusual circumstances (Acts 7:22).
– Moses received the finest Egyptian education and preparation for leadership, no doubt arranged by his father (Acts 7:22).
– At age 40, Moses killed an abusive Egyptian and fled Egypt after realizing his Hebrew identity (Acts 7:23-29).
– God called Moses at age 80 from the burning bush to deliver the Hebrews from slavery (Exodus 7:7).
These clues indicate Amram courageously instilled a strong Hebrew identity in Moses from birth. This prepared Moses to embrace God’s call to deliver Israel in defiance of his Egyptian upbringing. As Moses’ father, Amram played the pivotal role in shaping the future deliverer.
The Bible identifies several key facts about Moses’ father Amram:
– Amram was from the Levite tribe, dedicated to priestly service (Exodus 6:18, Numbers 3:27).
– He married his paternal aunt Jochebed to maintain tribal heritage (Exodus 6:20).
– Together they had three children – Moses, Aaron and Miriam (Exodus 6:20).
– Amram showed faith in God by hiding newborn Moses for 3 months (Exodus 2:1-2).
– He passed onto Moses the heritage, language and laws of Israel (Acts 7:22).
– Amram arranged for Moses to be trained in all Egyptian wisdom (Acts 7:22).
– He served as leader of the Kohathite Levitical clan (1 Chronicles 23:12-13).
– Amram lived 137 years, meaning he outlived Joseph (Exodus 6:20).
– He prepared Moses to embrace God’s call and deliver the Hebrews.
These key facts reveal Amram left a strong spiritual legacy as Moses’ father. He built into Moses a Hebrew foundation that defeated opposing cultural influences. Amram shepherded Moses through the critical early years that shaped the future deliverer.
Though the Bible does not reveal extensive details about Amram’s life, some key highlights surrounding Moses’ birth and development reveal Amram’s vital influence as father:
– Amram married Jochebed, following cultural practice to preserve Levite lineage (Exodus 6:20).
– When Pharaoh ordered Hebrew babies killed, Amram and Jochebed courageously hid newborn Moses for 3 months (Exodus 2:1-2).
– Jochebed placed Moses in a papyrus basket on the Nile in desperation to save him (Exodus 2:3).
– Moses’ sister Miriam stealthily watched over him until he was drawn from the river by Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:4-6).
– Though adopted into Pharaoh’s court, Moses ultimately rejected Egyptian privilege and identified with Hebrew slaves (Exodus 2:11-12).
– Amram taught Moses the heritage, language, customs and laws of Israel despite unusual circumstances (Acts 7:22).
– Moses was powerfully trained in speech, action and all Egyptian wisdom, no doubt arranged by Amram (Acts 7:22).
– At age 40, Moses killed an Egyptian slavedriver and fled Egypt when he realized his solidarity with Hebrews (Acts 7:23-29).
– God called Moses from the burning bush at 80 years old to deliver the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 3:1-4:17).
These highlights indicate Amram was used by God to instill Moses with Hebrew identity and shape him into the deliverer Israel needed. As Moses’ father, Amram’s influence was indelible and instrumental.
In summary, though biblical details about Amram may be few, they provide powerful glimpses into his significance as Moses’ father:
– Amram was a Levite leader who married Jochebed to maintain lineage purity (Exodus 6:20).
– He showed daring faith hiding infant Moses 3 months against orders (Exodus 2:1-2).
– Amram passed on Hebrew heritage and equipped Moses with Egyptian wisdom (Acts 7:22).
– He arranged Moses’ training in leadership skills, speech and action (Acts 7:22).
– Amram was used by God to instill in Moses a strong Hebrew identity and sense of justice from childhood.
– His spiritual legacy defeated opposing cultural influences on Moses as an adopted prince of Egypt.
– Amram shepherded Moses through early life events that shaped him into Israel’s deliverer.
– As the instrumental human shaper of Moses, Amram changed history through his fathering.
The biblical portrait of Amram is brief but profound. As Moses’ father, Amram molded and prepared Israel’s greatest deliverer through his intrepid faith, spiritual depth and visionary leadership.
