Exodus 2:24
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֱלֹהִים֙
And God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
And God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 14
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר
remembered
H2142
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר
remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֱלֹהִים֙
And God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
And God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 14
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִית֔וֹ
his covenant
H1285
בְּרִית֔וֹ
his covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
8 of 14
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
Cross References
Genesis 26:3Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;Psalms 105:42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.Exodus 6:5And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.Psalms 102:20To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;Psalms 106:45And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.Psalms 22:24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.Psalms 138:3In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.Genesis 26:24And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.Psalms 22:5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.Genesis 17:7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Historical Context
The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17) promised land, descendants, and blessing. Genesis 15:13-14 specifically foretold Egyptian bondage and subsequent deliverance. God's "remembering" at this moment fulfills His prophetic word given 400+ years prior. This theme of divine faithfulness to covenant will pervade Exodus and all subsequent redemptive history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'remembering' His covenant after centuries encourage your faith when promises seem delayed?
- What does the invocation of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob teach about God's faithfulness spanning generations and outlasting human lifespans?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob (וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹהִים אֶת־נַאֲקָתָם וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת־בְּרִיתוֹ אֶת־אַבְרָהָם אֶת־יִצְחָק וְאֶת־יַעֲקֹב, vayishma Elohim et-na'akatam vayizkhor Elohim et-berito et-Avraham et-Yitschak ve'et-Ya'akov)—Four emphatic verbs with "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) as subject: heard, remembered, looked (v. 25), knew (v. 25). Remembered his covenant doesn't imply God forgot—Hebrew זָכַר (zakhar, "remember") means "act in accordance with." God moves to fulfill covenant promises made centuries earlier (Genesis 15:13-14, 17:7-8). The threefold invocation—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—emphasizes covenant continuity across generations. Redemption begins with God's faithfulness, not human merit.