Biblical Parallels Index – Shemot 2
Overview
This index is meant to help the reader explore Biblical parallels, be they two accounts of the same event, stories with similar motifs and themes, or units of text which are linguistically similar and perhaps alluding one to the other. The page includes links to tools that aid in comparison, primary sources that touch upon the parallels, and summaries of and links to articles which analyze them in depth.Birth of Moshe and the Flood
Moshe's being hidden in an ark (תבה) calls to mind the story of the Flood and Noah's ark. The parallel might indicate that Moshe’s salvation, like that of Noach, represented a new beginning for the world.
Tools
- Concordance – A concordance search demonstrates that the only two contexts in which the word "תבה" appears are here and in the story of Noach’s ark. This suggests that the verse in Shemot might be intentionally alluding back to the story of Noach.
Articles
- See The Birth of Moshe, by R. Michael Hattin, for a comparison of the two narratives and the suggestion that the uniqueness of a “תיבה” is that it is a vessel that depends upon God’s guidance. The תיבה, as well as other aspects of the story of Moshe’s birth and unlikely survival, illustrate that the salvation of the nation depends upon Hashem’s intervention, and that, in turn, Hashem requires action and initiative on the part of man.
- See Noah and Moshe, by R. Alex Israel, for a broader comparison and contrast of the personalities and legacies of Noach and Moshe. Both are given the opportunity to be the progenitor of humanity or of the Jewish nation while everyone else is wiped out for sin, but Noach accepts whereas Moshe rejects this offer. As a result, Noach outlives others of his generation but takes a downward moral trajectory throughout his life, whereas Moshe dies with his generation but reaches the pinnacle of spiritual perfection.
Meeting by a Well
Moshe and Tziporah are one of several couples in Tanakh who meet at a well. One can compare the story of their meeting to that of Yitzchak [represented by Avraham’s servant] and Rivka, and Yaakov and Rachel. There are also parallels to the meeting of Rut and Boaz.
Tools
- See the Tanakh Lab1 that the chapter which is most linguistically similar to the story of Moshe at the well is Bereshit 29, the story of Yaakov meeting Rachel at a well. Compare the two here. Use the Lab to compare the other stories with each other as well.
Articles
- See Robert Alter’s article Biblical Type-Scenes and the Uses of Convention for analysis of the parallels and distinct characteristics of each narrative of a couple meeting at a well. He suggests that the differences between the stories highlight the unique qualities of each personality and story. In the case of Moshe and Tzipporah, their meeting scene highlights that their relationship always plays out in the context of Moshe’s role as a leader and savior.
- See פגישות ליד הבאר by C. GIlad who suggests that the differences between the well scenes in Bereshit and Shemot might shed light on and reflect the differing cultures in which each takes place.