Amram

Family: Israelites · Role: husband of Jochebed · First appears: The Ascension Of Levi

In Levi’s testament, Amram took Jochebed as his wife in his ninety-fourth year; they had been born on the same day. When Pharaoh’s proclamation against Hebrew male children was issued, Amram divorced her, but later chose her again as his life partner. Their first child was Miriam, born as the Egyptians began to oppress the Hebrews more harshly; their second was Aaron, whose birth followed Pharaoh’s instructions to kill Hebrew boys.

When the edict against Hebrew boys led Amram to separate from Jochebed again, he publicly remarried her beneath the wedding canopy, with Aaron and Miriam dancing around them. After Jochebed became pregnant, Moses was born amid a radiance that filled the house. Amram and Jochebed concealed him for three months, then Amram decided to expose him, fearing they would both be put to death if the secret were discovered and entrusting the child’s fate to Divine Providence. For two years, Moses stayed with his parents and kindred, who gave him various names.