Ark of bulrushes facts for kids
The ark of bulrushes was a special container, like a small basket. It is famous from a story in the biblical Book of Exodus. This ark carried baby Moses, who later became a very important leader.
The ark, holding the three-month-old baby Moses, was placed among the reeds by the river bank. This river was most likely the Nile River. His mother did this to protect him from a harsh Egyptian rule. This rule said that every baby boy born to Hebrew people should be drowned. Pharaoh's daughter later discovered Moses in the ark.
The Ark of Bulrushes
This unique "ark" wasn't a big ship like Noah's Ark. Instead, it was a small, waterproof basket. It was made from reeds, also called bulrushes, which are plants that grow near water. The basket was sealed with tar and pitch to make it float and keep water out.
Baby Moses's Escape
The story of the ark of bulrushes begins in ancient Egypt. At that time, the Hebrew people were living in Egypt. The Pharaoh, Egypt's king, was worried that the Hebrew population was growing too large. He made a very harsh rule: all newborn Hebrew boys had to be thrown into the Nile River.
Moses's mother, Jochebed, wanted to save her baby boy. She hid him for three months. When she could no longer hide him safely, she came up with a clever plan. She built a small ark, or basket, from bulrushes. She made it waterproof with tar and pitch.
A Special Journey
Jochebed placed baby Moses inside this special basket. She then put the ark among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River. Moses's older sister, Miriam, watched from a distance. She wanted to see what would happen to her baby brother.
Soon, Pharaoh's daughter came to the river to bathe. She saw the ark among the reeds. She sent her servant to get it. When she opened the ark, she found the baby boy crying. She felt sorry for him and realized he was one of the Hebrew children.
Miriam, who was still watching, bravely approached Pharaoh's daughter. She offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Pharaoh's daughter agreed. Miriam then brought Moses's own mother, Jochebed, to be his nurse.
Moses's New Home
Pharaoh's daughter paid Jochebed to care for her own son. When Moses grew older, Jochebed brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter. She adopted him as her own son and named him Moses. The name "Moses" means "drawn out" in Hebrew, because he was drawn out of the water.
This event was a turning point in Moses's life. It saved him from the Pharaoh's cruel rule. It also placed him in the royal household of Egypt. This upbringing prepared him for his future role. Moses later became the leader who would free the Hebrew people from slavery.
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