Commentary for Exodus 2:5

לרחץ על היאר — Invert the order of the words in this verse and then explain it: “The daughter of Pharaoh went down על היאר, by the river, לרחץ to bathe in it”.

TO BATHE ‘AL’ (BY) THE RIVER. “Transpose [the order of the words in] the verse⁶⁵The order of the Hebrew words is: And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe by the river. Rashi explains it to mean: “And the daughter of Pharaoh went down by the river to bathe in it.” and then explain it: the daughter of Pharaoh went down by the river to bathe in it.” Thus the language of Rabbeinu Shlomo [Rashi]. If so, al haye’or (by or upon the river) is like el haye’or (to the river). Similarly, And Elkanah went to Ramah ‘al beitho’ (upon his house)⁶⁶I Samuel 2:11. [is like el beitho (to his house)]; Thus shall ye say every one ‘al rei’eihu’ (upon his neighbor) and every one to his brother⁶⁷Jeremiah 23:35. [is like el rei’eihu (to his neighbor)].
It is possible that there were steps upon the bank of the river and that she went down from the royal palace to bathe upon the first step by the river, but did not enter into the river’s stream. [In this case, the expression al haye’or would be completely understandable, as it would mean that she came down to bathe “upon the step near the river”], and then she saw the ark among the reeds far from her and she sent her handmaid to fetch it. It may be that to bathe ‘al haye’or’ is like “to bathe baye’or (in the river).” Similarly, And thou shalt put them ‘al’ one basket⁶⁸Further, 29:3. [is like b’sal echad (‘into’ one basket)].

אמתה, not “her nursemaid,” but “her maidservant.”