King James Version

What Does Exodus 3:17 Mean?

Exodus 3:17 in the King James Version says “And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, a...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 3:17 · KJV

Context

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.

16

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:

17

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.

18

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.

19

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

Read Exodus 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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 (וָאֹמַר אַעֲלֶה אֶתְכֶם מֵעֳנִי מִצְרַיִם... אֶל־אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ)—God's promise has two parts: bring you up out of the affliction (deliverance) and unto the land (destination). I will bring you up (אַעֲלֶה, a'aleh)—God as active agent. The list of seven nations (Canaanites through Jebusites) represents complete conquest. Flowing with milk and honey (זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ)—the promise from verse 8, emphasizing abundance. God's redemption is comprehensive: not just rescue from bondage but blessing in inheritance. This pattern anticipates the gospel: Christ delivers from sin's slavery and brings us into kingdom inheritance (Colossians 1:13-14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The seven nations listed occupied various regions of Canaan. Their presence represented formidable opposition—fortified cities, iron chariots, giant warriors (Numbers 13:28-33). Yet God promises to bring Israel into this land, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 15:18-21). The journey from promise (Exodus 3) to fulfillment (Joshua 1-12) spans 40 years, teaching that divine promises are certain but often require patient faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the two-fold promise—deliverance from Egypt AND inheritance in Canaan—illustrate the comprehensive nature of salvation?
  2. What 'milk and honey' promised lands is God calling you toward after delivering you from bondage, and how do you trust Him through the journey?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וָֽאֹמַ֗ר1 of 18

“And I have said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַֽעֲלֶ֣ה2 of 18

“I will bring”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶתְכֶם֮3 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵֽעֳנִ֣י4 of 18

“you up out of the affliction”

H6040

depression, i.e., misery

מִצְרַיִם֒5 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֶל6 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֛רֶץ7 of 18

“unto a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙8 of 18

“of the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י9 of 18

“and the Hittites”

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙10 of 18

“and the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י11 of 18

“and the Perizzites”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַֽחִוִּ֖י12 of 18

“and the Hivites”

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְהַיְבוּסִ֑י13 of 18

“and the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

אֶל14 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֛רֶץ15 of 18

“unto a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

זָבַ֥ת16 of 18

“flowing”

H2100

to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

חָלָ֖ב17 of 18

“with milk”

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

וּדְבָֽשׁ׃18 of 18

“and honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

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 3:17 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 3:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 50:24Genesis 15:13-21Exodus 3:8-9Joshua 24:11Genesis 46:4Exodus 2:23-25

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 3 →

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