King James Version

What Does Exodus 3:8 Mean?

Exodus 3:8 in the King James Version says “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 l...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 3:8 · KJV

Context

6

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.

7

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;

8

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.

9

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.

10

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Read Exodus 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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 (וָאֵרֵד לְהַצִּילוֹ מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ מִן־הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא אֶל־אֶרֶץ טוֹבָה וּרְחָבָה אֶל־אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ, va'ered lehatsilo miyad Mitsrayim ulha'aloto min-ha'arets hahi el-erets tovah urechavah el-erets zavat chalav udevash)—I am come down (וָאֵרֵד, va'ered)—God actively intervenes in history. Deliver (נָצַל, natsal, "snatch away/rescue") is salvation language. The dual purpose: deliver (from bondage) and bring up (to blessing). Good land and large (טוֹבָה וּרְחָבָה) contrasts with Egypt's oppression. Flowing with milk and honey (זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ)—the famous metaphor denoting fertility and abundance (used 20x in Torah). The list of seven nations occupying Canaan (Canaanites through Jebusites) previews conquest challenges but also God's comprehensive gift.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

"Milk and honey" described agricultural richness—goat/sheep milk from pastoral land, honey from date palms and bees from wild sources. Canaan's fertility contrasted with Egypt's dependence on Nile irrigation and with Sinai's wilderness. The seven nations represent entrenched opposition God will overcome (Deuteronomy 7:1). This promise fulfills Genesis 15:18-21 and 17:8—the land covenant to Abraham.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the two-part promise—deliverance from bondage AND blessing in the land—reflect the fullness of salvation (justification and sanctification)?
  2. What 'promised lands' of spiritual abundance is God calling you toward after delivering you from bondage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וָֽאֵרֵ֞ד1 of 25

“And I am come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

לְהַצִּיל֣וֹ׀2 of 25

“to deliver”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

מִיַּ֣ד3 of 25

“them out of the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מִצְרַ֗יִם4 of 25

“of the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וּֽלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ֮5 of 25

“and to bring”

H5927

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

מִן6 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֶ֛רֶץ7 of 25

“land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַהִוא֒8 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אֶל9 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֛רֶץ10 of 25

“land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

טוֹבָה֙11 of 25

“unto a good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וּרְחָבָ֔ה12 of 25

“and a large”

H7342

roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively

אֶל13 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֛רֶץ14 of 25

“land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

זָבַ֥ת15 of 25

“flowing”

H2100

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

חָלָ֖ב16 of 25

“with milk”

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

וּדְבָ֑שׁ17 of 25

“and honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

אֶל18 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְק֤וֹם19 of 25

“unto the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙20 of 25

“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

וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י21 of 25

“and the Hittites”

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙22 of 25

“and the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י23 of 25

“and the Perizzites”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַֽחִוִּ֖י24 of 25

“and the Hivites”

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃25 of 25

“and the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

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 3:8 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 3:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 50:24Genesis 15:18-21Exodus 3:17Exodus 13:5Deuteronomy 1:25Jeremiah 11:5

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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