Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 7:20

"At which season Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father`s house." — Acts 7:20 (ASV)

In which time, etc. During this period of oppression. See Exodus 2:2 and following.

Was exceeding fair. In Greek, "was fair to God"; properly rendered, was very handsome.

The word "God" is used here in Greek in accordance with Hebrew usage, by which anything that is very handsome, lofty, or grand is thus designated.

Thus, Psalms 36:7, mountains of God mean lofty mountains; and Psalm 80:10 (verse 11 in the Hebrew text), cedars of God mean lofty, beautiful cedars. Thus Nineveh is called "a great city to God" (Jonah 3:3, Greek text), meaning a very great city.

The expression here means simply that Moses was very fair, or handsome. Compare Hebrews 11:23, where he is called a proper child—that is, a handsome child.

It would seem from this that Moses was preserved by his mother on account of his beauty; and this is hinted at in Exodus 2:2.

And it would also seem from this that Pharaoh had succeeded by his oppressions in what he had attempted; and that it was not unusual for parents among the Jews to expose their children, or to put them to death.