Exodus 2 · a question people ask
Exodus says Moses was afraid. Hebrews says he wasn't. Which is it?
Exodus says, "Moses was afraid" when his killing of the Egyptian became known, and that he "fled from the face of Pharaoh" (2:14-15). Hebrews says, "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). Christians read Hebrews 11:27 in two main ways, and both agree Hebrews is commending Moses' faith.
How Christians read it
Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
The later leaving, at the exodus
Those who hold this view take "he left Egypt" to mean the exodus, when "the LORD brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt" (12:51) and Moses left with them. Before that, Pharaoh warned him, "in the day you see my face you shall die!" and Moses answered, "You have spoken well. I will see your face again no more" (10:28-29). On this reading, Hebrews and Exodus 2 describe two different departures.
Exodus 10:28-29 · Exodus 12:51 · Hebrews 11:27
The flight to Midian
Those who hold this view note that Hebrews places this verse before the Passover (Hebrews 11:27-28), in the order of Moses' life, so it fits his flight to Midian (2:15). They read Hebrews as saying that what drove his leaving, at its root, was not fear of the king but faith, while Exodus records the fear he felt at the time (2:14).
Exodus 2:14-15 · Hebrews 11:27-28
The verses
“He said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you plan to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?” Moses was afraid, and said, “Surely this thing is known.” Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and lived in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.”
“By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”