Exodus 2:22

“And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom, etc.] Which signifies a “desolate stranger”; partly on his own account, he being in a foreign country, a stranger and sojourner; but not by way of complaint, but rather of thankfulness to God for providing so well for him in it; and partly on his son’s account, that when he came to years of maturity and knowledge, he might learn, and in which Moses no doubt instructed him, that he was not to look upon Midian as his proper country, but that he was to be heir of the land of Canaan, and which he might be reminded of by his name: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land; so Midian was to him, who was born in Egypt, and being an…”

“Gershom - The first syllable “Ger” is common to Hebrew and Egyptian, and means “sojourner.” The second syllable “Shom” answers exactly to the Coptic “Shemmo,” which means “a foreign or strange land.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Gershom - That is, A stranger there. Now this settlement of Moses in Midian was designed by Providence. To shelter him for the present; God will find hiding places for his people in the day of their distress. It was also designed to prepare him for the services he was farther designed to. His manner of life in Midian, where he kept the flock of his father - in - law would be of use to him, to inure him to hardship and poverty; and to inure him to contemplation and devotion. Egypt accomplished him for a scholar, a gentleman, a statesman, a soldier, all which accomplishments would be afterwards of use to him; but yet lacketh he one thing, in which the court of Egypt could not befriend him. He…”

“Gershom: i.e. a stranger here, Ch1 23:14-17 for he said: Exo 2:10, Exo 18:3, Exo 22:21; Ch1 16:20, Ch1 29:15; Psa 39:12, Psa 119:19; Act 7:29; Heb 11:13, Heb 11:14 Exodus 2:23”