Exodus 3:13
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
Original Language Analysis
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
unto God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
unto God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 23
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
בָא֮
Behold when I come
H935
בָא֮
Behold when I come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
unto God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
unto God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 23
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
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
of your fathers
H1
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
of your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
14 of 23
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
שְׁלָחַ֣נִי
hath sent
H7971
שְׁלָחַ֣נִי
hath sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
15 of 23
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
שְּׁמ֔וֹ
to me What is his name
H8034
שְּׁמ֔וֹ
to me What is his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
20 of 23
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מָ֥ה
H4100
מָ֥ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Cross References
Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Proverbs 30:4Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.Exodus 3:14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.Matthew 1:21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.Genesis 32:29And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
Historical Context
Names in ancient cultures weren't arbitrary labels but revealed character and essence. Knowing someone's name meant knowing their nature and having relationship. Moses' question seeks the covenant name that will unite Israel and distinguish YHWH from Egypt's pantheon. God's answer (YHWH) becomes Israel's most sacred name, the covenant identifier used over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' request for God's name reflect the importance of knowing God's character, not just His existence?
- What does the emphasis on God's name teach about the relationship between knowing God personally (by name) and serving Him faithfully?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי בָא אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם וְאָמְרוּ־לִי מַה־שְּׁמוֹ מָה אֹמַר אֲלֵהֶם)—Moses' second objection: credibility/authority. What is his name? (מַה־שְּׁמוֹ, mah-shemo)—Ancient Near Eastern cultures believed names revealed essence/character. Israel knew God of your fathers (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם), but what is His personal covenant name? Moses needs more than "the ancestral deity"—he needs the name that will authenticate his mission and reveal God's character. God's response (v. 14-15) gives the most profound self-revelation in Scripture: YHWH, the I AM.