King James Version

What Does Exodus 3:13 Mean?

Exodus 3:13 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathe...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Exodus 3:13 · KJV

Context

11

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?

12

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.

13

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?

14

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.

15

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.

Read Exodus 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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? (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי בָא אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם וְאָמְרוּ־לִי מַה־שְּׁמוֹ מָה אֹמַר אֲלֵהֶם)—Moses' second objection: credibility/authority. What is his name? (מַה־שְּׁמוֹ, mah-shemo)—Ancient Near Eastern cultures believed names revealed essence/character. Israel knew God of your fathers (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם), but what is His personal covenant name? Moses needs more than "the ancestral deity"—he needs the name that will authenticate his mission and reveal God's character. God's response (v. 14-15) gives the most profound self-revelation in Scripture: YHWH, the I AM.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Names in ancient cultures weren't arbitrary labels but revealed character and essence. Knowing someone's name meant knowing their nature and having relationship. Moses' question seeks the covenant name that will unite Israel and distinguish YHWH from Egypt's pantheon. God's answer (YHWH) becomes Israel's most sacred name, the covenant identifier used over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' request for God's name reflect the importance of knowing God's character, not just His existence?
  2. What does the emphasis on God's name teach about the relationship between knowing God personally (by name) and serving Him faithfully?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
אֹמַ֖ר1 of 23

“and shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 23

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל3 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱלֹהֵ֥י4 of 23

“unto God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הִנֵּ֨ה5 of 23
H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֣י6 of 23
H595

i

בָא֮7 of 23

“Behold when I come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל8 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֣י9 of 23

“unto the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒10 of 23

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֹמַ֖ר11 of 23

“and shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֔ם12 of 23
H0
אֱלֹהֵ֥י13 of 23

“unto God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם14 of 23

“of your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

שְׁלָחַ֣נִי15 of 23

“hath sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם16 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֹמַ֖ר17 of 23

“and shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִ֣י18 of 23
H0
מַה19 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

שְּׁמ֔וֹ20 of 23

“to me What is his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

מָ֥ה21 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֹמַ֖ר22 of 23

“and shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶֽם׃23 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

Study Guide

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 3:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 3:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 30:4Isaiah 9:6Isaiah 7:14Genesis 32:29Matthew 1:21Jeremiah 23:6

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