"And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water."
Biblical Name · Hebrew / Egyptian Origin
Moses Meaning in the Bible
Moses
boy
Moses means "Drawn out of the water", a boy's name of Hebrew / Egyptian origin. Moses appears in the King James Bible, and Exodus 2:10 is the passage most often tied to it. Moses' name speaks of deliverance — being drawn out of danger into purpose. His life reminds us that God rescues us not just for our own benefit but to use us as instruments of liberation for others.
Is Moses in the Bible?
Yes — Moses appears in the King James Bible, including Exodus 2:10.
Pronunciation:/MO-ziz/
OriginHebrew / Egyptian
MeaningDrawn out of the water
What does Moses mean?
Moses is a boy name of Hebrew / Egyptian origin meaning "Drawn out of the water". Moses means "drawn out" in Hebrew, given by Pharaoh's daughter because she drew him out of the Nile River. This name proved prophetic — Moses would later draw the entire nation of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.
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What does Moses mean in the Bible?
Moses means "Drawn out of the water" and is a name of Hebrew / Egyptian origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Moses means "drawn out" in Hebrew, given by Pharaoh's daughter because she drew him out of the Nile River. This name proved prophetic — Moses would later draw the entire nation of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.
Moses is the central figure of the Torah and one of the most important people in all of Scripture. He confronted Pharaoh with God's demand to "let my people go," received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, and led Israel through forty years of wilderness wandering.
Despite his greatness, Moses was described as "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3). His story shows that God uses imperfect people — Moses was a reluctant leader with a speech impediment — to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
Where does Moses appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Moses is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Exodus 2:10. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Moses?
Moses has 2 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Moshe
Moise
Who was Moses in the Bible?
Moses is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About Moses in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention Moses?
Moses is mentioned across 5 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Moses?
Moses' name speaks of deliverance — being drawn out of danger into purpose. His life reminds us that God rescues us not just for our own benefit but to use us as instruments of liberation for others.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Moses:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Character
Moses in the Bible
The Lawgiver
Word Meaning
Strength (עֹז (oz))
Mighty power, boldness, and refuge — the force that sustains and protects God's people.
Strong's
Strong's H5797 — Strength
עֹז (oz) • Mighty power, boldness, and refuge — the force that sustains and protects God's people.
Miracle
Water from the Rock
Moses struck the rock at Horeb and water gushed out to give Israel drink.
Miracle
The Bitter Waters of Marah Sweetened
Moses casts a tree into the bitter waters of Marah and they are made sweet for I
Word Meaning
Water (מַיִם (mayim))
Life, cleansing, and the Spirit — a primary symbol of God's sustaining and renewing power.
What names are related to Moses?
Names that pair well with Moses
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Moses
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Moses name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Moses appears in the King James Bible, including Exodus 2:10.
Moses means "Drawn out of the water." It is a Hebrew / Egyptian name. The King James Bible uses it in Exodus 2:10, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew / Egyptian. Moses comes into English from Hebrew / Egyptian and carries the sense "Drawn out of the water." It appears in the King James Bible, including Exodus 2:10.
Common questions about the name Moses
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Moses?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Moses?
You can read every verse where Moses appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.