Bible Commentaries
Exodus 3

Introduction

Overview

Exodus 3:1, Moses keeps Jethro’s flock; Exodus 3:2, God appears to him in a burning bush; Exodus 3:9, He sends him to deliver Israel; Exodus 3:13, The name of God; Exodus 3:15, His message to Israel, and Pharaoh, whose opposition is foretold; Exodus 3:20, He is assured of Israel’s deliverance.

Verse 1

am 2513, bc 1491

kept: Psalms 78:70-72, Amos 1:1, Amos 7:14, Amos 7:15, Matthew 4:18, Matthew 4:19, Luke 2:8

his father: Exodus 2:16, Exodus 2:21, Exodus 18:1-6, Numbers 10:29, Judges 4:11

the mountain: Exodus 3:5, Exodus 18:5, Exodus 19:3, Exodus 19:11, Exodus 24:15-17, 1 Kings 19:8

Horeb: Exodus 17:6, Deuteronomy 1:6, Deuteronomy 4:10, Psalms 106:19, Malachi 4:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:2 - And Abel Genesis 31:40 - General Genesis 46:32 - shepherds Exodus 2:18 - General Exodus 4:18 - Jethro Exodus 4:27 - the mount Exodus 19:2 - camped Numbers 10:33 - the mount Deuteronomy 26:7 - we cried Judges 1:16 - Moses' 1 Samuel 16:19 - with the sheep 1 Kings 19:19 - he with 1 Chronicles 17:7 - I took thee Isaiah 37:9 - Ethiopia Acts 7:30 - there Hebrews 1:1 - at 2 Peter 1:18 - the holy

Verse 2

angel: Exodus 3:4, Exodus 3:6, Genesis 16:7-13, Genesis 22:15, Genesis 22:16, Genesis 48:16, Deuteronomy 33:16, Isaiah 63:9, Hosea 12:4, Hosea 12:5, Malachi 3:1, Luke 20:37, Acts 7:30-35

bush burned: Genesis 15:13-17, Deuteronomy 4:20, Psalms 66:12, Isaiah 43:2, Isaiah 53:10, Isaiah 53:11, Daniel 3:27, Zechariah 13:7, John 1:14, Romans 8:3, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:17 - smoking Genesis 16:10 - the angel Exodus 19:18 - in fire Exodus 23:20 - Angel Exodus 24:17 - like devouring fire Leviticus 9:24 - there came a fire Numbers 20:16 - sent an Numbers 22:22 - and the angel Numbers 22:32 - before me Judges 2:1 - And an angel Judges 13:6 - terrible 1 Kings 19:12 - a fire Isaiah 54:11 - thou afflicted Zechariah 3:1 - the angel Mark 12:26 - in the book Luke 2:8 - abiding Revelation 8:3 - another

Verse 3

Job 37:14, Psalms 107:8, Psalms 111:2-4, Acts 7:31

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:17 - smoking Genesis 46:2 - Jacob Exodus 19:21 - break Daniel 10:8 - I was Luke 2:15 - Let

Verse 4

unto him: Deuteronomy 33:16

Moses: Genesis 22:1, Genesis 22:11, Genesis 46:2, 1 Samuel 3:4, 1 Samuel 3:6, 1 Samuel 3:8, 1 Samuel 3:10, Psalms 62:11, Acts 9:4, Acts 10:3, Acts 10:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:11 - Here am I Exodus 3:2 - angel Exodus 19:3 - called John 1:10 - was in John 1:18 - he hath John 20:16 - Mary Acts 7:31 - and as Acts 9:10 - Behold Acts 22:7 - Saul

Verse 5

Draw not: Exodus 19:12, Exodus 19:21, Leviticus 10:3, Hebrews 12:20

put off: Genesis 28:16, Genesis 28:17, Joshua 5:15, Ecclesiastes 5:1, Acts 7:33

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:1 - the mountain Exodus 24:1 - Come up Joshua 3:4 - a space 1 Kings 19:13 - he wrapped his face 2 Chronicles 8:11 - holy Psalms 68:17 - as in Sinai Isaiah 20:2 - put 1 Corinthians 3:17 - destroy 2 Peter 1:18 - the holy

Verse 6

I am: Exodus 3:14, Exodus 3:15, Exodus 4:5, Exodus 29:45, Genesis 12:1, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:8, Genesis 26:24, Genesis 28:13, Genesis 31:42, Genesis 32:9, 1 Kings 18:36, Esther 3:4, Psalms 132:2, Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:33, Jeremiah 32:38, Ezekiel 11:20, Zechariah 8:8, Matthew 22:32, Mark 12:26, Luke 20:37, Acts 7:32, Acts 7:32

thy father: Though the word avicha, "thy father," is here used in the singular, yet St. Stephen, quoting this passage (Acts 7:32), uses the plural, ן וןע פשם נבפסשם ףןץ, "the God of thy fathers;" and that this is the meaning, the following words prove. This reading is confirmed by the Samaritan and Coptic.

hid: Genesis 17:3, Judges 13:22, 1 Kings 19:13, Nehemiah 9:9, Job 42:5, Job 42:6, Psalms 106:44, Psalms 106:45, Isaiah 6:1-5, Daniel 10:7, Daniel 10:8, Matthew 17:6, Luke 5:8, Acts 7:34, Hebrews 12:21, Revelation 1:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:10 - and I was Genesis 17:21 - my Genesis 24:12 - O Lord Genesis 28:17 - he was Genesis 31:53 - God of Abraham Genesis 49:24 - the mighty Exodus 3:2 - angel Exodus 24:10 - saw Leviticus 26:12 - will be Deuteronomy 9:27 - Remember Joshua 2:9 - that the Lord Judges 13:6 - terrible 1 Samuel 11:2 - thrust 2 Kings 13:23 - because of his covenant 1 Chronicles 29:18 - Lord God 2 Chronicles 20:6 - O Lord Psalms 47:9 - the God Psalms 105:6 - ye seed Psalms 146:5 - the God Song of Solomon 2:14 - that art Isaiah 6:2 - covered his face Ezekiel 20:5 - I am Acts 3:13 - God of Abraham Acts 7:30 - an Hebrews 11:16 - to be

Verse 7

I have: Exodus 2:23-25, Exodus 22:23, Genesis 29:32, 1 Samuel 9:16, Psalms 22:24, Psalms 34:4, Psalms 34:6, Psalms 106:44, Psalms 145:19, Isaiah 63:9, Hebrews 4:15

by reason: Exodus 1:11

I know: Genesis 18:21, Psalms 142:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:10 - crieth Genesis 16:11 - hath Genesis 21:17 - heard Genesis 29:31 - saw Genesis 30:17 - General Genesis 31:12 - I have seen Genesis 31:42 - hath seen Exodus 2:11 - burdens Exodus 2:25 - had respect Exodus 3:9 - the cry Exodus 4:31 - looked Exodus 6:5 - the groaning Exodus 11:6 - General Leviticus 25:43 - rule Numbers 20:16 - we cried Deuteronomy 15:9 - he cry Judges 2:1 - I made 2 Samuel 7:23 - went 2 Samuel 16:12 - the Lord 2 Samuel 22:7 - did hear 2 Samuel 22:28 - afflicted 2 Kings 13:4 - the Lord 2 Kings 13:23 - because of his covenant 2 Kings 14:26 - saw the affliction 1 Chronicles 17:21 - redeem Nehemiah 5:1 - a great cry Nehemiah 9:9 - didst see Job 10:15 - see Job 34:28 - they Job 35:9 - they make Psalms 9:12 - he forgetteth Psalms 12:5 - oppression Psalms 35:22 - This Psalms 102:20 - To hear Psalms 107:13 - General Psalms 119:153 - Consider Isaiah 5:7 - a cry Isaiah 19:20 - they shall Isaiah 52:5 - make Isaiah 54:11 - thou afflicted Isaiah 63:8 - Surely Lamentations 1:9 - behold Lamentations 3:32 - General Ezekiel 16:6 - and saw Daniel 9:18 - behold Zechariah 9:8 - for Acts 7:34 - I have seen Revelation 11:8 - Egypt

Verse 8

I am: Genesis 11:5, Genesis 11:7, Genesis 18:21, Genesis 50:24, Psalms 18:9-19, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 22:4, Psalms 22:5, Psalms 34:8, Psalms 91:15, Isaiah 64:1, John 3:13, John 6:38

deliver: Exodus 6:6-8, Exodus 12:51, Genesis 15:14, Genesis 50:24

unto a good: Exodus 3:17, Exodus 13:5, Exodus 33:2, Exodus 33:3, Genesis 13:14, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 15:18, Numbers 13:19, Numbers 13:27, Numbers 14:7, Numbers 14:8, Deuteronomy 1:7, Deuteronomy 1:25, Deuteronomy 8:7-9, Deuteronomy 11:9-24, Deuteronomy 26:9-15, Deuteronomy 27:3, Deuteronomy 28:11, Nehemiah 9:22-25, Jeremiah 2:7, Jeremiah 11:5, Jeremiah 32:22, Ezekiel 20:6

Canaanites: Exodus 22:23-31, Exodus 34:11, Genesis 15:18-21, Deuteronomy 7:1, Joshua 9:1, Nehemiah 9:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:15 - Heth Genesis 35:12 - the land Genesis 46:4 - and I will Exodus 2:25 - had respect Exodus 12:25 - according Exodus 19:11 - the Lord Leviticus 20:24 - But I Numbers 10:29 - for the Lord Numbers 13:18 - General Numbers 13:29 - the Hittites Numbers 16:14 - Moreover Deuteronomy 3:25 - the good land Deuteronomy 6:3 - in the land Deuteronomy 31:20 - floweth Joshua 3:10 - drive out from Joshua 5:6 - a land Joshua 9:7 - Hivites Joshua 12:8 - the Hittites Joshua 21:43 - General Joshua 23:14 - not one thing Judges 2:1 - I made Judges 3:5 - Canaanites Judges 18:10 - where there 1 Samuel 14:25 - honey 2 Samuel 7:23 - went 2 Samuel 16:12 - the Lord 2 Samuel 22:28 - afflicted 2 Kings 18:32 - like your own 1 Chronicles 1:15 - Hivite 1 Chronicles 17:21 - redeem Psalms 107:13 - General Psalms 119:153 - Consider Isaiah 36:17 - a land of corn Jeremiah 2:20 - For of Ezekiel 16:6 - and saw Ezekiel 20:5 - and made Amos 2:9 - I the Acts 7:34 - and am Acts 17:6 - These

Verse 9

the cry: Exodus 3:7, Exodus 2:23

and I have: Exodus 3:7, Exodus 1:11, Exodus 1:13, Exodus 1:14, Exodus 1:22, Psalms 12:5, Proverbs 22:22, Proverbs 22:23, Ecclesiastes 4:1, Ecclesiastes 5:8, Jeremiah 50:33, Jeremiah 50:34, Amos 4:1, Micah 2:1-3

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:12 - I have seen Exodus 3:17 - I will bring Exodus 14:12 - Is not this Leviticus 25:43 - rule 1 Samuel 12:8 - cried 2 Kings 13:4 - he saw 2 Kings 14:26 - saw the affliction Job 34:28 - they Job 35:9 - they make Psalms 9:12 - he forgetteth Zechariah 9:8 - for Acts 7:34 - I have seen Acts 17:6 - These James 5:4 - the cries

Verse 10

1 Samuel 12:6, Psalms 77:20, Psalms 103:6, Psalms 103:7, Psalms 105:26, Isaiah 63:11, Isaiah 63:12, Hosea 12:13, Micah 6:4, Acts 7:34, Acts 7:36

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:11 - General Exodus 6:26 - Bring Deuteronomy 4:34 - take him Joshua 24:5 - sent 1 Samuel 12:8 - sent Moses Psalms 78:70 - and took Matthew 4:18 - for

Verse 11

Exodus 4:10-13, Exodus 6:12, 1 Samuel 18:18, 2 Samuel 7:18, 1 Kings 3:7, 1 Kings 3:9, Isaiah 6:5-8, Jeremiah 1:6, Acts 7:23-25, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 3:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:26 - Bring Numbers 11:26 - went not out Judges 6:15 - wherewith 1 Samuel 16:2 - How can I go 2 Chronicles 2:6 - who am I then Proverbs 25:6 - in the presence 2 Corinthians 12:9 - My grace

Verse 12

Certainly: Exodus 4:12, Exodus 4:15, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 31:3, Deuteronomy 31:23, Joshua 1:5, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:2, Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:20, Acts 11:21, Romans 8:31, Hebrews 13:5

token: Exodus 4:1-9, Genesis 15:8, Judges 6:17, Judges 6:21, Judges 6:36-40, Judges 7:11, Judges 7:13, Judges 7:14, Psalms 86:17, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 37:30, Jeremiah 43:9, Jeremiah 43:10, Jeremiah 51:63, Jeremiah 51:64

ye shall: Exodus 19:1 - Exodus 40:38, Leviticus 1:1 - Leviticus 27:34, Numbers 1:1 - Numbers 10:36

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:15 - I am Exodus 3:18 - that we may Exodus 7:16 - serve Exodus 8:1 - Let my Exodus 8:27 - as he shall Exodus 18:5 - General Exodus 18:19 - God shall Exodus 19:2 - camped Numbers 16:28 - Hereby Judges 2:18 - then the Lord Judges 6:12 - The Lord Judges 6:16 - General 1 Kings 1:37 - As the 1 Kings 3:9 - who is able 2 Kings 19:29 - a sign 2 Chronicles 1:1 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 17:3 - the Lord Jeremiah 1:8 - for I am Jeremiah 1:17 - be not Amos 5:14 - and so Haggai 2:4 - for Luke 2:12 - General Acts 7:7 - and serve 2 Corinthians 12:9 - My grace

Verse 13

What is his name: Exodus 3:14, Exodus 15:3, Genesis 32:29, Judges 13:6, Judges 13:17, Proverbs 30:4, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Jeremiah 23:6, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:12 - children Exodus 33:19 - proclaim Exodus 34:6 - The Lord Numbers 6:27 - put my Deuteronomy 32:3 - Because 1 Kings 8:42 - great name Psalms 20:1 - God Psalms 48:10 - According Proverbs 18:10 - name Isaiah 42:8 - that is John 17:6 - have manifested Acts 22:14 - The God

Verse 14

I AM hath: Exodus 6:3, Job 11:7, Psalms 68:4, Psalms 90:2, Isaiah 44:6, Matthew 18:20, Matthew 28:20, John 8:58, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 13:8, Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:17, Revelation 4:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:6 - I am Exodus 3:13 - What is his name Exodus 23:21 - my name Deuteronomy 28:58 - fear this glorious Psalms 50:21 - that I was altogether such an one as thyself Psalms 102:26 - endure Proverbs 17:6 - and the Jeremiah 33:2 - the Lord Amos 9:6 - The Lord Micah 4:5 - the name Malachi 3:6 - I am John 5:26 - hath life Acts 7:34 - And now 2 Corinthians 1:19 - was not 1 Timothy 6:16 - only Hebrews 1:12 - but

Verse 15

The Lord: Exodus 3:6, Exodus 4:5, Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:8, Deuteronomy 1:11, Deuteronomy 1:35, Deuteronomy 4:1, 2 Chronicles 28:9, Matthew 22:32, Acts 7:32

this is my name for ever: The name here referred to is that which immediately precedes, יהוה, [Strong's H3068], Yehowah, which we translate "Lord", the name by which God had been known from the creation of the world (Genesis 2:2), and by which he is known to the present day. יהוה, Yehowah, from הוה, hawah, to be, subsist, signifies "He who is", or "subsists", i.e., eminently and in a manner superior to all other beings; and is essentially the same with אהיה, eheyeh, "I AM", in the preceding verse. Psalms 72:17, Psalms 72:19, Psalms 135:13, Psalms 145:1, Psalms 145:2, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 63:12

my memorial: Psalms 102:12, Hosea 12:5, Micah 4:5, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:12 - O Lord Genesis 28:13 - I am Exodus 15:2 - my father's God Exodus 15:3 - name Exodus 34:31 - called Deuteronomy 5:9 - the Lord Deuteronomy 28:58 - fear this glorious 2 Samuel 23:3 - God 1 Kings 8:23 - Lord God 1 Kings 18:36 - Lord God 1 Chronicles 16:16 - which he made 1 Chronicles 29:18 - Lord God 2 Chronicles 6:14 - O Lord God 2 Chronicles 20:6 - O Lord Psalms 47:9 - the God Psalms 59:5 - the God Psalms 67:6 - our own Proverbs 17:6 - and the Jeremiah 33:2 - the Lord Daniel 2:23 - O thou Amos 9:6 - The Lord Acts 24:14 - the God Hebrews 11:16 - to be

Verse 16

elders: Exodus 4:29, Exodus 18:12, Exodus 24:11, Genesis 1:7, Matthew 26:3, Acts 11:30, Acts 20:17, 1 Peter 5:1

visited: Exodus 2:25, Exodus 4:31, Exodus 13:19, Exodus 15:14, Genesis 21:1, Genesis 50:24, Ruth 1:6, Psalms 8:4, Luke 1:68, Luke 19:44, Acts 15:14, Hebrews 2:6, Hebrews 2:7, 1 Peter 2:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:13 - I am Exodus 3:18 - and they Exodus 12:21 - elders Exodus 15:2 - my father's God Exodus 19:7 - the elders Deuteronomy 9:27 - Remember 1 Samuel 8:4 - the elders 2 Samuel 5:3 - So all 1 Kings 18:36 - Lord God 1 Chronicles 28:9 - the God 2 Chronicles 20:6 - O Lord Nehemiah 9:9 - didst see Ezekiel 20:5 - I am Micah 3:9 - I pray Matthew 22:32 - am Mark 12:26 - in the book

Verse 17

I will bring: Exodus 3:9, Exodus 2:23-25, Genesis 15:13-21, Genesis 46:4, Genesis 50:24

unto the land: Exodus 3:8, Genesis 15:14, Genesis 15:18-21

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:6 - I will bring Exodus 12:25 - according Exodus 13:5 - a land Exodus 23:23 - thee in Exodus 33:2 - the Canaanite Exodus 34:11 - I drive Leviticus 20:24 - But I Numbers 13:27 - General Numbers 13:29 - the Hittites Numbers 16:14 - Moreover Deuteronomy 4:34 - take him Deuteronomy 31:20 - floweth Joshua 5:6 - a land Joshua 9:1 - Hittite Judges 3:5 - Canaanites 1 Chronicles 1:15 - Hivite 1 Chronicles 11:4 - the inhabitants 1 Chronicles 16:17 - an everlasting Nehemiah 9:8 - the Canaanites Jeremiah 32:22 - a land Lamentations 1:9 - behold Ezekiel 20:6 - to bring Luke 1:68 - he 1 Corinthians 10:13 - who

Verse 18

and they: Exodus 3:16, Exodus 4:31, Joshua 1:17, 2 Chronicles 30:12, Psalms 110:3, Jeremiah 26:5

and thou: Exodus 5:1-3

The Lord: Exodus 7:16, Exodus 9:1, Exodus 9:13, Exodus 10:3

met: Exodus 4:24, Exodus 5:3, Exodus 25:22, Exodus 29:42, Exodus 29:43, Exodus 30:6, Exodus 30:36, Genesis 12:1, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 17:1, Genesis 48:3, Numbers 17:4, Numbers 23:3, Numbers 23:4, Numbers 23:15, Numbers 23:16, Isaiah 64:5

three days': Exodus 8:27, Exodus 13:17, Exodus 13:18

that we may: Exodus 3:12, Exodus 7:16, Exodus 8:25-28, Exodus 9:1, Exodus 10:24-26, Exodus 19:1, Jeremiah 2:2, Jeremiah 2:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:1 - General Exodus 4:5 - That they Exodus 8:1 - Let my Exodus 8:26 - It is not Exodus 10:9 - a feast Exodus 15:22 - three days Jeremiah 34:9 - Hebrew 2 Corinthians 11:22 - Hebrews

Verse 19

will not: Exodus 5:2, Exodus 7:4

no, not by a mighty hand: or, but by a strong hand, Exodus 6:1, Exodus 7:1 - Exodus 14:31, Psalms 136:11, Psalms 136:12, Isaiah 63:12, Isaiah 63:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 11:9 - Pharaoh Exodus 12:31 - Rise up Deuteronomy 6:21 - with a mighty 1 Kings 8:42 - thy strong hand 2 Chronicles 6:32 - thy mighty Psalms 78:43 - How Psalms 89:10 - thy strong arm Romans 3:7 - if the truth 1 Peter 5:6 - the

Verse 20

Acts 7:1 - Acts 13:42

stretch: Exodus 6:6, Exodus 7:5, Exodus 9:15, Ezekiel 20:33

smite: Exodus 7:3, Exodus 11:9, Deuteronomy 4:34, Deuteronomy 6:22, Nehemiah 9:10, Psalms 105:27, Psalms 106:22, Psalms 135:8, Psalms 135:9, Isaiah 19:22, Jeremiah 32:20, Jeremiah 32:21, Acts 7:36

after that: Exodus 11:8, Exodus 12:31, Exodus 12:39, Genesis 15:14, Judges 6:8, Judges 8:16, Isaiah 26:11, Psalms 105:38

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:21 - wonders Exodus 6:1 - with a strong Exodus 10:1 - that I Exodus 11:1 - afterwards 2 Chronicles 6:32 - thy mighty Psalms 78:43 - How Psalms 89:10 - thy strong arm

Verse 21

Exodus 11:3, Exodus 12:36, Genesis 39:21, Nehemiah 1:11, Psalms 106:46, Proverbs 16:7, Acts 7:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:14 - with Genesis 30:27 - favour Exodus 12:35 - General Deuteronomy 15:13 - General

Verse 22

But: Exodus 11:2, Exodus 12:35, Exodus 12:36, Genesis 15:14, Psalms 105:37

borrow: Or, rather ask or demand, as the word שאל [Strong's H7592] properly signifies; and is so rendered by the LXX, Vulgate, and Geneva and Barker's Bible: the other ancient versions are the same as the Hebrew.

spoil: Job 27:16, Job 27:17, Proverbs 13:22, Isaiah 33:1, Ezekiel 39:10

the Egyptians: or, Egypt

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:53 - jewels 2 Chronicles 20:25 - precious jewels Ezekiel 16:7 - excellent ornaments 1 Peter 3:3 - that