Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 2:5

"And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river-side; and she saw the ark among the flags, and sent her handmaid to fetch it." — Exodus 2:5 (ASV)

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself. —This would be quite in accordance with Egyptian ideas. “Women were allowed great liberty in Egypt, and moved about much as they pleased. Cleanliness was especially regarded; and the Nile water was considered healthy and life-giving (Strab. 15 p. 695). The princess would, of course, seek a part of the river which was reserved for females. Probably Jochebed knew where she was accustomed to bathe.

Her maidens. —As a princess, she was, of course, accompanied by a number of female attendants (na’aroth). Even ordinary Egyptian ladies seem to have been attended at the bath by four or five such persons. One of them was, however, in particular her waiting-woman (âmah), and to her the princess addressed herself.