This is one of many ways Jesus reflects the life of Moses. This child, raised with the benefits and support of Pharaoh's own household, is Moses, the man chosen by God to lead Israel's exodus from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 2:1–10). One of the boys born to a Hebrew family will be hidden in a basket in the Nile, and found by the Pharaoh's own daughter. Ironically, this very command from Pharaoh will frame the life of the man who will lead Israel out of slavery. He commanded the death of all male children two years and younger in the city (Matthew 2:16–18). King Herod sought to kill the baby Jesus to remove any threat of another king. The only other place the Bible notes a similar act was following the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. He essentially decreed for the mass genocide of all infant Jewish males. Every newborn Israeli son was to be thrown into the Nile River. Now Pharaoh expands his command to 'all his people,' or all the Egyptians. Pharaoh's first command regarding infanticide was limited to the midwives (Exodus 1:16).
