And going out the next day, he saw two Hebrews quarrelling: and he said to him that did the wrong: Why strikest thou thy neighbour?
וַיֵּצֵא֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וְהִנֵּ֛ה שְׁנֵֽי־אֲנָשִׁ֥ים עִבְרִ֖ים נִצִּ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לָֽרָשָׁ֔ע לָ֥מָּה תַכֶּ֖ה רֵעֶֽךָ׃
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The following day, he noticed the same situation, and upon realizing that the individual he had sought vengeance against was upset, he urged him not to harbor resentment. The Apostle remarks, "You are brothers, having been born from the same womb; therefore, it is fitting that you love one another." This sentiment is echoed in the words of Moses to the warring Egyptians, "You are brethren, why do you wrong one another?" (Romans 12:10).
When the aggressor and oppressor were vanquished, it is noted that 'on the second day,' 'two ... Moses appeared among them to mediate and reconcile those who were at odds with one another. He intervened in their conflict, addressing the one who sought to use violence against his brother, 'Why do you strike your neighbor?' The response was, 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the ... Egyptian?' In a manner akin to having cast Satan into the abyss beforehand, Immanuel emerged as a arbiter of justice among the Israelites and a proponent of brotherly love, instructing them to extend love to one another and to embrace peace and unity. Thus, He proclaimed, 'My peace I give unto you' (John 14:27).
Through this victory over Satan, having dispatched him to the depths and protected humanity from his malice, He ultimately called them to embrace virtuous living. Christ clearly articulated this truth: 'How can anyone enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house' (Matthew 12:29). As if first restraining the strong man, that is, Satan, He then leads those who believe in Him—those who were once under his dominion and labeled as unworthy—into a new reality.
Two Hebrews were in conflict with one another, and Moses sought to quell their belligerence. He urged them to act as brothers, advocating for nature to resolve their disputes rather than allowing anger to take charge.
Yet within us, there exists a turmoil among brethren. The emergence of heretical doctrines would not have occurred if opposing ideas hadn't arisen to challenge the more righteous truths.
When they ventured out on the following day, they observed two individuals being struck. As a royal heir, he possessed the authority to execute punishment and impose death. However, he chose not to wield his power in that manner; instead, he simply admonished the wrongdoer.
The account presented in these two verses validates the assertions made by the first martyr Stephen regarding the misunderstanding among the Hebrews concerning the slaying of the Egyptian by Moses the previous day. They failed to perceive that in Moses, the Lord was sending them a savior. Instead of appreciating Moses' attempt to mediate the conflict between the two Hebrews for the sake of reconciliation, he was met with hostility; the offender arrogantly accused Moses of overstepping his bounds and rebuked him for the death of the Egyptian. Yet, how could the Hebrews have recognized that Moses' act was not a random decision but rather aligned with God's purpose?
It is likely that Moses did not hide the signs that might have led them to such an understanding, and the severe oppression they endured under Pharaoh should have prompted them to anticipate divine intervention, making them alert to any significant events reflecting God’s favor toward them.
However, Moses was fearful and questioned why the matter had come to light. What was he afraid of? Perhaps he worried that the murder would become known among the Hebrews, but he desired just that, as he intended to demonstrate to them his divine election for their deliverance. While Moses wished to broadcast the significance of his action, he was disheartened by the negative perception held by his people. He recognized that their prolonged servitude had crushed their hope for liberation, rendering them distrustful of the one sent to lead them out, and potentially inclined to report him to the Egyptian authorities as a threat. This reaction from the Hebrews took him by surprise, instilling fear and astonishment in him at their unanticipated response. He lamented, "If this word be revealed," reflecting his distress that a divinely inspired act intended for the benefit of his fellow countrymen was misinterpreted and carelessly spread, potentially reaching the Egyptians. The term “verb” in the context of action is also found elsewhere in Scripture (Luke 2:15).
A. C. B. notes that Moses, in his role as a judge, conveys the law by emphasizing to his fellow Israelites the importance of mutual assistance and refraining from wronging one's neighbor. This understanding is reflected in the subsequent verse.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS