similar pattern of hard labor imposed on a populous Israel in 5:5–19). Attempts to curb the Israelite population by drowning Israelite children (1:15–22) are somewhat parallel to the drowning of the Egyptians that in chapter 14 concludes the Israelite flight from Egypt (Fishbane 1979, 73–76). Exodus 2 presents Moses’ birth, flight, and sojourn in Midian. But God has heard Israel’s cries (2:23–25), beginning the process that leads to Pharaoh’s defeat, Israel’s rescue, and to a formal covenant that