King James Version
Exodus 3
22 verses with commentary
The Burning Bush
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb</strong> (וּמֹשֶׁה הָיָה רֹעֶה אֶת־צֹאן יִתְרוֹ חֹתְנוֹ כֹּהֵן מִדְיָן וַיִּנְהַג אֶת־הַצֹּאן אַחַר הַמִּדְבָּר וַיָּבֹא אֶל־הַר הָאֱלֹהִים חֹרֵבָה, <em>uMosheh hayah ro'eh et-tson Yithro chotno kohen Midyan vayinhag ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
III.
(1) **Moses kept the flock.**—The natural occupation of one who had thrown in his lot with the Midianites.
**Jethro, his father-in-law.**—Rather, *his relation by marriage. *The word is one of very wide use, corresponding with the Latin *affinis. *It is even applied to a husband, as in Exodus 4:25. The supposition that it means “father-in-law” has led to the identification of Jethro with Reue...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15-21. When Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, &c.--**Joseph was deeply affected by this communication. He gave them the strongest assurances of his forgiveness and thereby gave both a beautiful trait of his own pious character, as well as appeared an eminent type of the Saviour.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
God appears to Moses in a burning bush.(1-6)
God sends Moses to deliver Israel.(7-10)
The name Jehovah.(11-15)
The deliverance of the Israelites promised.(16-22)
**Verses 1-6**
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a ...
Read full commentary →And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed</strong> (וַיֵּרָא מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה אֵלָיו בְּלַבַּת־אֵשׁ מִתּוֹךְ הַסְּנֶה וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה הַסְּנֶה בֹּעֵר בָּאֵשׁ וְהַסְּנֶה אֵינֶנּוּ אֻכָּל, <em>vayera mal'akh YHWH elav belabbat-esh mitokh hasneh vayar vehineh ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **The angel of the Lord.**—Heb., *an angel of Jehovah. *In Exodus 3:4 the angel is called both “Jehovah and “Elohim,” whence it is concluded, with reason, that it was the Second Person of the Trinity who appeared to Moses.
**Out of the midst of a bush.**—Literally, *out of the midst of the acacia. *As the *seneh, *or acacia, is very common in the Sinaitic region, we can scarcely suppose that a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22-23. Joseph dwelt in Egypt--**He lived eighty years after his elevation to the chief power [see on Ge 41:46] witnessing a great increase in the prosperity of the kingdom, and also of his own family and kindred--the infant Church of God.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
God appears to Moses in a burning bush.(1-6)
God sends Moses to deliver Israel.(7-10)
The name Jehovah.(11-15)
The deliverance of the Israelites promised.(16-22)
**Verses 1-6**
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a ...
Read full commentary →And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אָסֻרָה־נָּא וְאֶרְאֶה אֶת־הַמַּרְאֶה הַגָּדֹל הַזֶּה מַדּוּעַ לֹא־יִבְעַר הַסְּנֶה, <em>vayomer Mosheh asurah-na ve'er'eh et-hamar'eh hagadol hazeh madu'a lo-yiv'ar hasneh</em>)—<strong>I will turn aside</strong> (אָסֻרָה־נָּא, <em>asurah-na</em>, "let me turn aside") show...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **I will now turn aside.**—A minute touch, in dicating that Moses is the writer. He remembers that the bush did not grow on the track which he was pursuing, but lay off it, and that he had to “turn aside,” in order to make his inspection.
**This great sight.**—The phenomenon was strange and unusual—worthy of note, whatever might be the cause.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22-23. Joseph dwelt in Egypt--**He lived eighty years after his elevation to the chief power [see on Ge 41:46] witnessing a great increase in the prosperity of the kingdom, and also of his own family and kindred--the infant Church of God.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
God appears to Moses in a burning bush.(1-6)
God sends Moses to deliver Israel.(7-10)
The name Jehovah.(11-15)
The deliverance of the Israelites promised.(16-22)
**Verses 1-6**
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a ...
Read full commentary →And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I</strong> (וַיַּרְא יְהוָה כִּי סָר לִרְאוֹת וַיִּקְרָא אֵלָיו אֱלֹהִים מִתּוֹךְ הַסְּנֶה וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה מֹשֶׁה וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּנִי, <em>vayar YHWH ki sar lir'ot vayikra elav Elohim mitokh hasneh vayomer Mosheh Mosheh vayomer hineni</em>)—<stro...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **When the Lord saw . . . God called.**—Heb., *When Jehovah saw, Elohim called. *The German theory of two authors of Exodus, one Jehovistic and the other Elohistic, is completely refuted by this passage; for it is impossible to ascribe one clause of a sentence to one author, and the next to another. If originally the same term had been used in both places, a reviser would not have altered one ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24. Joseph said unto his brethren, I die--**The national feelings of the Egyptians would have been opposed to his burial in Canaan; but he gave the strongest proof of the strength of his faith and full assurance of the promises, by "the commandment concerning his bones" [He 11:22].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
God appears to Moses in a burning bush.(1-6)
God sends Moses to deliver Israel.(7-10)
The name Jehovah.(11-15)
The deliverance of the Israelites promised.(16-22)
**Verses 1-6**
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a ...
Read full commentary →And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר אַל־תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם שַׁל־נְעָלֶיךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶיךָ כִּי הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלָיו אַדְמַת־קֹדֶשׁ הוּא, <em>vayomer al-tikrav halom shal-ne'alekha me'al raglekha ki hamakom asher atah omed alav admat-kodesh hu</em>)—<strong>Draw not nigh</...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Put off thy shoes.**—Rather, *thy sandals. *It is doubtful whether shoes were known at this early date. They would certainly not have been worn in Midian. Egyptians before the time of Moses, and Orientals generally, in ancient (as in modern) times, removed their sandals (or their shoes) from their feet on entering any place to which respect was due, as a temple, a palace, and even the privat...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
God appears to Moses in a burning bush.(1-6)
God sends Moses to deliver Israel.(7-10)
The name Jehovah.(11-15)
The deliverance of the Israelites promised.(16-22)
**Verses 1-6**
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a ...
Read full commentary →Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר אָנֹכִי אֱלֹהֵי אָבִיךָ אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב וַיַּסְתֵּר מֹשֶׁה פָּנָיו כִּי יָרֵא מֵהַבִּיט אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים, <em>vayomer anokhi Elohei avikha Elohei Avraham Elohei Yitschak vElo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **The God of thy father.**—It is generally agreed that “father” is put collectively here for “forefathers.” (Comp. Genesis 31:42.) Hence St. Stephen, quoting the passage, renders it, “I am the God of thy fathers” (Acts 7:32).
**The God of Abraham.**—Primarily, no doubt, the meaning was, *the God who was worshipped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; *but the form of the expression, “the God of Abrah...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26. and they embalmed him--**[See on Ge 50:2]. His funeral would be conducted in the highest style of Egyptian magnificence and his mummied corpse carefully preserved till the Exodus.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
God appears to Moses in a burning bush.(1-6)
God sends Moses to deliver Israel.(7-10)
The name Jehovah.(11-15)
The deliverance of the Israelites promised.(16-22)
**Verses 1-6**
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a ...
Read full commentary →And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה רָאֹה רָאִיתִי אֶת־עֳנִי עַמִּי אֲשֶׁר בְּמִצְרַיִם וְאֶת־צַעֲקָתָם שָׁמַעְתִּי מִפְּנֵי נֹגְשָׂיו כִּי יָדַעְתִּי אֶת־מַכְאֹבָיו, <em>vayomer YHWH ra'oh ra'iti et-oni ami asher beMitsrayim ve'et-t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **The Lord said.**—Heb., *Jehovah said. *The “God” of Exodus 3:6 is “Jehovah” here, and again “God” in Exodus 3:11. (See the Note on Exodus 3:4.)
**I have surely seen.**—Heb., *seeing I have seen. *It is not so much certainty as continued looking that is implied. (Comp. Exodus 2:25.)
**Taskmasters.**—A different word from that similarly translated in Exodus 1:11, and one that implies cruel usa...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
God notices the afflictions of Israel. Their sorrows; even the secret sorrows of God's people are known to him. Their cry; God hears the cries of his afflicted people. The oppression they endured; the highest and greatest of their oppressors are not above him. God promises speedy deliverance by methods out of the common ways of providence. Those whom God, by his grace, delivers...
Read full commentary →And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites</strong> (וָאֵרֵד לְהַצִּילוֹ מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ מִן־הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא אֶל־אֶרֶץ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **I am come down.**—By condescension to human infirmity, which conceives of all things under the limitations of time and space, God is spoken of as dwelling ordinarily in heaven, or “the heaven of heavens,” whence sometimes He “comes down” to manifest Himself to men. That this was not understood literally, even by the Jews, appears from such passages as 1Kings 8:27; Psalm 137:7-9; Proverbs 15:...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
God notices the afflictions of Israel. Their sorrows; even the secret sorrows of God's people are known to him. Their cry; God hears the cries of his afflicted people. The oppression they endured; the highest and greatest of their oppressors are not above him. God promises speedy deliverance by methods out of the common ways of providence. Those whom God, by his grace, delivers...
Read full commentary →Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them</strong> (וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה צַעֲקַת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּאָה אֵלָי וְגַם־רָאִיתִי אֶת־הַלַּחַץ אֲשֶׁר מִצְרַיִם לֹחֲצִים אֹתָם)—God reiterates His awareness: <strong>the cry... is come unto me</strong> (צַעֲקַת... בָּאָה אֵלָי, echoing 2:23). <str...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
THE SECOND BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED EXODUS.
Commentary by Robert Jamieson
CHAPTER 1 Ex 1:1-22. Increase of the Israelites.
**1. Now these are the names--**(See Ge 46:8-26).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
God notices the afflictions of Israel. Their sorrows; even the secret sorrows of God's people are known to him. Their cry; God hears the cries of his afflicted people. The oppression they endured; the highest and greatest of their oppressors are not above him. God promises speedy deliverance by methods out of the common ways of providence. Those whom God, by his grace, delivers...
Read full commentary →Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt</strong> (וְעַתָּה לְכָה וְאֶשְׁלָחֲךָ אֶל־פַּרְעֹה וְהוֹצֵא אֶת־עַמִּי בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרָיִם)—God's commission: <strong>I will send thee</strong> (אֶשְׁלָחֲךָ, <em>eshlachakha</em>). <strong>Come... and I will send</strong>—Moses must draw near before b...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
God notices the afflictions of Israel. Their sorrows; even the secret sorrows of God's people are known to him. Their cry; God hears the cries of his afflicted people. The oppression they endured; the highest and greatest of their oppressors are not above him. God promises speedy deliverance by methods out of the common ways of providence. Those whom God, by his grace, delivers...
Read full commentary →And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים מִי אָנֹכִי כִּי אֵלֵךְ אֶל־פַּרְעֹה וְכִי אוֹצִיא אֶת־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרָיִם)—Moses' first objection: personal inadequacy. <strong>Who am I?</strong> (מִי אָנֹכִי, <em>mi anokhi</em>)—Moses' humility contrast...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Who am I, that I should go?**—The men most fit for great missions are apt to deem themselves unfit. When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, his reply was, “O Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child” ( Jeremiah 1:6). St. Ambrose fought hard to escape being made Archbishop of Milan. Augustine was loth to undertake the mission to England. Anselm was with difficulty persuaded to ac...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-15**
Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and of himself. Formerly, self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal, now sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility; so defective are ...
Read full commentary →And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר כִּי־אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ וְזֶה־לְּךָ הָאוֹת כִּי אָנֹכִי שְׁלַחְתִּיךָ בְּהוֹצִיאֲךָ אֶת־הָעָם מִמִּצְרַיִם תַּעַבְדוּן אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים עַל הָהָר הַזֶּה)—God's answer shifts focus f...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Certainly I will be with thee.**—Heb., *since I will be with thee. *An answer addressed not to the thing said, but to the thing meant. Moses meant to urge that he was unfit for the mission. God’s reply is, “Not unfit, *since *I will be with thee.” I will supply all thy defects, make good all thy shortcomings. “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
**This shall be a token unto thee.**—It...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-15**
Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and of himself. Formerly, self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal, now sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility; so defective are ...
Read full commentary →God Reveals His Name
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי בָא אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם וְאָמְרוּ־לִי מַה־שְּׁמוֹ מָה אֹ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **What is his name?**—In Egypt, and wherever polytheism prevailed, every god had, as a matter of course, a name. Among the Israelites hitherto God had been known only by titles, as *El *or *Elohim, *“the Lofty One; “*Shaddai,*” the Powerful; “*Jahveh, *or *Jehovah, “*the Existent.” These titles were used with some perception of their meaning; no one of them had as yet passed into a proper nam...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-15**
Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and of himself. Formerly, self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal, now sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility; so defective are ...
Read full commentary →And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה וַיֹּאמֶר כֹּה תֹאמַר לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶהְיֶה שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם)—<strong>I AM THAT I AM</strong> (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה, <em>ehyeh asher ehyeh</em>)—God's self-revelation as the eternally self-...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **I AM THAT I AM.**—It is generally assumed that this is given to Moses as the full name of God. But perhaps it is rather a deep and mysterious statement of His nature. “I am that which I am.” My nature, i.e., cannot be declared in words, cannot be conceived of by human thought. I exist in such sort that my whole inscrutable nature is implied in my existence. I exist, as nothing else does—nec...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-15**
Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and of himself. Formerly, self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal, now sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility; so defective are ...
Read full commentary →And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations</strong> (וַיֹּאמֶר עוֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶל־מֹשֶׁה כֹּה־תֹאמַר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם... זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹל...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **The Lord God of your fathers.**—Heb., *Jehovah, God of your fathers. *The “I AM” of the preceding verse (*‘ehyeh*) is modified here into *Jahveh, *or Jehovah, by a substitution of the third person for the first. The meaning of the name remains the same.
**This is my name for ever.**—Jehovah is the pre. dominant name of God throughout the rest of the Old Testament. (On the meaning of the nam...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. children of Israel were fruitful--**They were living in a land where, according to the testimony of an ancient author, mothers produced three and four sometimes at a birth; and a modern writer declares "the females in Egypt, as well among the human race as among animals, surpass all others in fruitfulness." To this natural circumstance must be added the fulfilment of the promise made to Abrah...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-15**
Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and of himself. Formerly, self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal, now sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility; so defective are ...
Read full commentary →Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt</strong> (לֵךְ וְאָסַפְתָּ אֶת־זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל... יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם נִרְאָה אֵלַי... פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּי אֶתְכֶם)—God gives Moses his message and ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **The elders of Israel.**—Not so much the old men generally, as the rulers—those who bore authority over the rest—men of considerable age, no doubt, for the most part. Rosenmüller reasonably concludes from this direction that the Hebrews, even during the oppression, enjoyed some kind of internal organisation and native government (*Schol, in Exod. *p. 58).
**I have surely visited.**—Heb., *Vi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. Now there arose up a new king--**About sixty years after the death of Joseph a revolution took place--by which the old dynasty was overthrown, and upper and lower Egypt were united into one kingdom. Assuming that the king formerly reigned in Thebes, it is probable that he would know nothing about the Hebrews; and that, as foreigners and shepherds, the new government would, from the first, reg...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-22**
Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good. God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh, Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand stretched out in ...
Read full commentary →And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey</strong> (וָאֹמַר אַעֲלֶה אֶתְכֶם מֵעֳנִי מִצְרַיִם... אֶל־אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ)—God's promise has two parts: <strong>bring you up out of the affliction<...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **I have said.**—See Exodus 3:8. Perhaps there is also a reference to the promise made to Abraham (Gen.XV. 14).
**The affliction of Egypt.**—Comp. Genesis 15:13 · Exodus 1:11-12; Exodus 3:7.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9-10. he said ... Behold, the ... children of Israel are more and mightier than we--**They had risen to great prosperity--as during the lifetime of Joseph and his royal patron, they had, probably, enjoyed a free grant of the land. Their increase and prosperity were viewed with jealousy by the new government; and as Goshen lay between Egypt and Canaan, on the border of which latter country were a...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-22**
Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good. God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh, Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand stretched out in ...
Read full commentary →And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God</strong> (וְשָׁמְעוּ לְקֹלֶךָ... יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִים נִקְרָה עָלֵינוּ וְעַתָּה נֵ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **They shall hearken.**—The pronoun “they” refers to “the elders” of Exodus 3:16. For the fulfilment of the promise, see Exodus 4:29-31. The elders appear to have been persuaded easily, and at once.
**Thou and the elders.**—We are not told in Exodus 5 that the elders did present themselves before Pharaoh; but it is possible that they may have done so. Or Moses and Aaron, who spoke in their na...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9-10. he said ... Behold, the ... children of Israel are more and mightier than we--**They had risen to great prosperity--as during the lifetime of Joseph and his royal patron, they had, probably, enjoyed a free grant of the land. Their increase and prosperity were viewed with jealousy by the new government; and as Goshen lay between Egypt and Canaan, on the border of which latter country were a...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-22**
Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good. God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh, Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand stretched out in ...
Read full commentary →And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. no: or, but by strong hand
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand</strong> (וַאֲנִי יָדַעְתִּי כִּי לֹא־יִתֵּן אֶתְכֶם מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם לַהֲלֹךְ וְלֹא בְּיָד חֲזָקָה)—God warns Moses of certain refusal: <strong>the king of Egypt will not let you go</strong>. <strong>I am sure</strong> (יָדַעְתִּי, <em>yadati</em>, "I know") shows God's foreknowledge. The phrase <strong>not...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **I am sure.**—Heb., *I know, *which is more suitable, since it is God who speaks, and to Him the future is known with as absolute a certainty as the past.
**No, not by a mighty hand.**—Rather, *not even under a mighty hand *(*ne quidem valida manu castigatus, *Rosenmüller). Pharaoh, even when chastised by My mighty hand, will not voluntarily permit of your departure (see Exodus 14:5-23).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters--**Having first obliged them, it is thought, to pay a ruinous rent and involved them in difficulties, that new government, in pursuance of its oppressive policy, degraded them to the condition of serfs--employing them exactly as the laboring people are in the present day (driven in companies or bands), in rearing the public works, with taskmasters...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-22**
Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good. God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh, Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand stretched out in ...
Read full commentary →And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go</strong> (וְשָׁלַחְתִּי אֶת־יָדִי וְהִכֵּיתִי אֶת־מִצְרַיִם בְּכֹל נִפְלְאֹתַי אֲשֶׁר אֶעֱשֶׂה בְּקִרְבּוֹ וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן יְשַׁלַּח אֶתְכֶם)—God's strategy: overwhelming demonstrations of power. <strong>Stretch out my hand</strong> (שָׁלַחְתִּי אֶת־יָדִ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **I will stretch out my hand.**—Hands are stretched out to help and save. God promises here more than He had promised before (Exodus 3:12). He shows *how *He will “be with” Moses. He will lend him miraculous aid, performing in his behalf “all his wonders,” and with them “smiting the Egyptians.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-22**
Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good. God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh, Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand stretched out in ...
Read full commentary →And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty</strong> (וְנָתַתִּי אֶת־חֵן הָעָם־הַזֶּה בְּעֵינֵי מִצְרָיִם וְהָיָה כִּי תֵלֵכוּן לֹא תֵלְכוּ רֵיקָם)—God promises <strong>favour</strong> (חֵן, <em>chen</em>, "grace/favor") in Egyptians' eyes. <strong>Ye shall not go empty</strong> (לֹא תֵלְכוּ רֵיקָם)—Is...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-14. The Egyptians ... made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick--**Ruins of great brick buildings are found in all parts of Egypt. The use of crude brick, baked in the sun, was universal in upper and lower Egypt, both for public and private buildings; all but the temples themselves were of crude brick. It is worthy of remark that more bricks bearing the name of Thothm...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-22**
Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good. God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh, Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand stretched out in ...
Read full commentary →But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians. the Egyptians: or, Egypt
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians</strong> (וְשָׁאֲלָה אִשָּׁה מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ וּמִגָּרַת בֵּיתָהּ כְּלֵי־כֶסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב וּשְׂמָלֹת... וְנִצַּלְתֶּם אֶת־מִצְרָיִם)—The method: <strong>bo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **Every woman shall borrow.**—Rather, *shall ask *(αἰτήσει, LXX.; *postulabit, *Vulg.). That there was really no pretence of “borrowing,” appears from Exodus 12:33-36, where we find that the “jewels” were not asked for until the very moment of departure, when the Israelites were being “thrust forth,” and the people were urgent on them to be gone, certainly neither expecting nor wishing to see...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-14. The Egyptians ... made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick--**Ruins of great brick buildings are found in all parts of Egypt. The use of crude brick, baked in the sun, was universal in upper and lower Egypt, both for public and private buildings; all but the temples themselves were of crude brick. It is worthy of remark that more bricks bearing the name of Thothm...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-22**
Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good. God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh, Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand stretched out in ...
Read full commentary →