Exodus 3:15
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Original Language Analysis
ע֨וֹד
moreover
H5750
ע֨וֹד
moreover
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 28
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
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
6 of 28
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 28
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 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְהוָ֞ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֞ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 28
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
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם
of your fathers
H1
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם
of your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
13 of 28
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 28
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
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 28
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
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י
And God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 28
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
שְׁלָחַ֣נִי
hath sent
H7971
שְׁלָחַ֣נִי
hath sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
20 of 28
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
שְּׁמִ֣י
me unto you this is my name
H8034
שְּׁמִ֣י
me unto you this is my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
23 of 28
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לְעֹלָ֔ם
for ever
H5769
לְעֹלָ֔ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
24 of 28
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וְזֶ֥ה
H2088
זִכְרִ֖י
and this is my memorial
H2143
זִכְרִ֖י
and this is my memorial
Strong's:
H2143
Word #:
26 of 28
a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration
Cross References
Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.Hosea 12:5Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.Malachi 3:6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.Exodus 3:6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.Psalms 135:13Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.Micah 4:5For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.Psalms 102:12But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.Exodus 4:5That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.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.Acts 7:32Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
Historical Context
The name YHWH (LORD) appears over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible, far more than any other divine name. Its etymology from 'to be' emphasizes God's self-existence and faithfulness ('He who is' and 'He who will be'—always present, unchanging). The Exodus event and name revelation became the defining moment in Israel's history, referenced throughout Scripture as the paradigmatic act of divine redemption.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's eternal name YHWH assure you of His unchanging character and faithfulness across all generations?
- What does the connection between 'I AM' (v. 14) and 'YHWH' (v. 15) teach about God's self-revelation progressing from mystery to covenant relationship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations (וַיֹּאמֶר עוֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶל־מֹשֶׁה כֹּה־תֹאמַר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם... זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם וְזֶה זִכְרִי לְדֹר דֹּר)—God expands the name revelation: The LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH)—the tetragrammaton, God's covenant name. It connects I AM (אֶהְיֶה, ehyeh) to the third person form: "He who is/will be." God of your fathers... Abraham, Isaac, Jacob roots this revelation in covenant history—not a new god but the patriarchs' God now revealing His personal name. This is my name for ever (זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם)—eternal, unchanging identifier. My memorial unto all generations (זִכְרִי לְדֹר דֹּר)—how God wants to be remembered and invoked. YHWH becomes Israel's most sacred name, so holy later Jews avoided pronouncing it, saying Adonai (Lord) instead.