Exodus 3:12
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֥י
unto thee that
H3588
כִּ֥י
unto thee that
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
אֶֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עִמָּ֔ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
4 of 20
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
הָא֔וֹת
Certainly I will be with thee and this shall be a token
H226
הָא֔וֹת
Certainly I will be with thee and this shall be a token
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
7 of 20
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
כִּ֥י
unto thee that
H3588
כִּ֥י
unto thee that
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שְׁלַחְתִּ֑יךָ
I have sent
H7971
שְׁלַחְתִּ֑יךָ
I have sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
10 of 20
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בְּהוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֤
thee When thou hast brought forth
H3318
בְּהוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֤
thee When thou hast brought forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
11 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָם֙
the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
תַּֽעַבְדוּן֙
ye shall serve
H5647
תַּֽעַבְדוּן֙
ye shall serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
15 of 20
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 20
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
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Joshua 1:5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Deuteronomy 31:23And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.Genesis 31:3And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.Exodus 4:15And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.Exodus 4:12Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.Matthew 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Acts 11:21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Historical Context
The sign's fulfillment came at Sinai (Exodus 19:1-2) when Israel camped at this mountain and received the Law. God's promise that they would worship here sustained Moses through the difficult confrontations with Pharaoh. The emphasis on worship as deliverance's goal establishes that the Exodus wasn't humanitarian rescue but covenant formation—God delivered Israel to bring them into relationship with Himself.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise 'I will be with you' address your feelings of inadequacy for His calling more than self-improvement or skill development could?
- What does the future-oriented sign teach about faith that trusts God's promise before seeing evidence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain (וַיֹּאמֶר כִּי־אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ וְזֶה־לְּךָ הָאוֹת כִּי אָנֹכִי שְׁלַחְתִּיךָ בְּהוֹצִיאֲךָ אֶת־הָעָם מִמִּצְרַיִם תַּעַבְדוּן אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים עַל הָהָר הַזֶּה)—God's answer shifts focus from Moses to divine presence: I will be with thee (אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ, ehyeh immakh). The verb I will be (אֶהְיֶה) is the same as in the divine name (v. 14). God's presence is Moses' sufficiency. The token (אוֹת, ot, "sign"): ye shall serve God upon this mountain—after the Exodus, Israel will worship here (Exodus 19-24). This unusual sign (fulfilled after the mission) requires faith—Moses must trust God's promise before seeing its fulfillment. The purpose of deliverance: serve God (עָבַד, avad), not mere political freedom but covenant worship.