Exodus 3:1

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּמֹשֶׁ֗ה

H4872

Now Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

הָיָ֥ה

H1961

kept

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

רֹעֶ֛ה

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

אֶת

H853

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

הַצֹּאן֙

H6629

the flock

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

יִתְר֥וֹ

H3503

of Jethro

jethro, moses' father-in-law

חֹֽתְנ֖וֹ

H2859

his father in law

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

כֹּהֵ֣ן

H3548

the priest

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

מִדְיָ֑ן

H4080

of Midian

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

#10

וַיִּנְהַ֤ג

H5090

and he led

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

#11

אֶת

H853

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

#12

הַצֹּאן֙

H6629

the flock

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

#13

אַחַ֣ר

H310

to the backside

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#14

הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר

H4057

of the desert

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

#15

וַיָּבֹ֛א

H935

and came

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

#16

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#17

הַ֥ר

H2022

to the mountain

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#18

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים

H430

of God

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

#19

חֹרֵֽבָה׃

H2722

even to Horeb

choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout Exodus.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

Related Resources

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People

Moses