Exodus Chapter 3 · Verse 17
And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
Original Language Analysis
אַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
I will bring
H5927
אַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
I will bring
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
2 of 18
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶתְכֶם֮
H853
אֶתְכֶם֮
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙
of the Canaanites
H3669
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙
of the Canaanites
Strong's:
H3669
Word #:
8 of 18
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙
and the Amorites
H567
וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙
and the Amorites
Strong's:
H567
Word #:
10 of 18
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י
and the Perizzites
H6522
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י
and the Perizzites
Strong's:
H6522
Word #:
11 of 18
a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes
וְהַֽחִוִּ֖י
and the Hivites
H2340
וְהַֽחִוִּ֖י
and the Hivites
Strong's:
H2340
Word #:
12 of 18
a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine
זָבַ֥ת
flowing
H2100
זָבַ֥ת
flowing
Strong's:
H2100
Word #:
16 of 18
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
Cross References
Genesis 50:24And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.Genesis 46:4I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.Joshua 24:11And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.
Historical Context
The seven nations listed occupied various regions of Canaan. Their presence represented formidable opposition—fortified cities, iron chariots, giant warriors (Numbers 13:28-33). Yet God promises to bring Israel into this land, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 15:18-21). The journey from promise (Exodus 3) to fulfillment (Joshua 1-12) spans 40 years, teaching that divine promises are certain but often require patient faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the two-fold promise—deliverance from Egypt AND inheritance in Canaan—illustrate the comprehensive nature of salvation?
- What 'milk and honey' promised lands is God calling you toward after delivering you from bondage, and how do you trust Him through the journey?
Analysis & Commentary
And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey (וָאֹמַר אַעֲלֶה אֶתְכֶם מֵעֳנִי מִצְרַיִם... אֶל־אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ)—God's promise has two parts: bring you up out of the affliction (deliverance) and unto the land (destination). I will bring you up (אַעֲלֶה, a'aleh)—God as active agent. The list of seven nations (Canaanites through Jebusites) represents complete conquest. Flowing with milk and honey (זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ)—the promise from verse 8, emphasizing abundance. God's redemption is comprehensive: not just rescue from bondage but blessing in inheritance. This pattern anticipates the gospel: Christ delivers from sin's slavery and brings us into kingdom inheritance (Colossians 1:13-14).