What does Exodus 2:8 mean?

In the prior verses, Moses has been hidden in a basket (Exodus 2:1–5) to protect him from a murderous law (Exodus 1:22). He is discovered by the Egyptian king's own daughter, who expresses her sympathy (Exodus 2:6). Moses' sister, Miriam, is nearby and suggests the infant be given to a Hebrew wet nurse (Exodus 2:7). Pharaoh's daughter agrees to Miriam's suggestion. Miriam then brings her mother—also the newly discovered infant's mother—to Pharaoh's daughter. In this most unlikely situation, Miriam would introduce the adoptive mother of Moses to his birth mother without her knowledge. Miriam's role is so important that Micah 6:4 later remembers her as someone God raised up to help free the Jewish people from bondage. Without her involvement, Moses' life would have been drastically different.

Little is known about Moses' earliest years. However, it is clear he later knew his sister and brother. Exodus gives no indication that Moses or anyone in his adoptive Egyptian family were confused about his heritage. The names of Moses' parents are also recorded in Scripture. His entire family was involved in rescuing him from early death: "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict" (Hebrews 11:23). Unless Moses' father, Amram, was very old when Moses was born, his long life indicates he also participated in the exodus and died in the wilderness (Exodus 6:20). One Jewish tradition says Amram lived long enough to see Moses' great-grandchildren.