King James Version

What Does Exodus 3:1 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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.

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.

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

Read full chapter →

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 Reuel, which is very unlikely. He was more probably Reuel’s son, and Moses’s brother-in-law. His father having died, he had succeeded to his father’s position, and was at once priest and sheikh of the tribe. **To the backside of the desert.**—Heb., *behind the desert*—*i.e., *to the fertile tract which lay behind the sandy plain stretching from the Sinaitic range to the shore of the Elanitic gulf. **The mountain of God**—*i.e., *Sinai. See Exodus 18:5; Exodus 19:2-23, &c. **Even Horeb.**—Rather, *towards Horeb, *or *Horeb way. *Horeb seems to have been the name of the entire mountain region; Sinai of the group or mass known now as Jebel Musa.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 3:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.