Exodus 3:11

Authorized King James Version

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?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
מֹשֶׁה֙
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים
unto 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
#5
מִ֣י
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#6
אָנֹ֔כִי
i
#7
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#8
אֵלֵ֖ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
פַּרְעֹ֑ה
unto Pharaoh
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
#11
וְכִ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
אוֹצִ֛יא
and that I should bring forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
בְּנֵ֥י
the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#16
מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃
out of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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