And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.
4. And his sister stood afar off. It is probable that this was Miriam. “De laquelle il sera ci apres parle plus a plein;” who will presently be more fully spoken of. — Fr. By the fact of her standing to watch what became of him, it appears that his parents had some hope remaining, though it was but small.
Moses was a Levite, both by father and mother. Jacob left Levi under marks of disgrace (Gen 49:5); and yet, soon after, Moses appears a descendant from him, that he might typify Christ, who came in the likeness of sinful flesh and was made a curse for us.
Commenting on Exodus 2:1-4
And his sister stood afar off,.... This was Miriam, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it; who is supposed to be about ten or twelve years of age, others say seven: she was placed (e), as the word may be rendered, by her parents, or, "she placed herself" (f), by their instruction, at some distance from the place where the ark was, that she might...