Exodus 3:2
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֗רְא
and he looked
H7200
וַיַּ֗רְא
and he looked
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מַלְאַ֨ךְ
And the angel
H4397
מַלְאַ֨ךְ
And the angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
2 of 16
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יְהוָֹ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֹ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
H8432
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
7 of 16
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
וַיַּ֗רְא
and he looked
H7200
וַיַּ֗רְא
and he looked
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
9 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ
H369
Cross References
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.Mark 12:26And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?Deuteronomy 33:16And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.Luke 20:37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.Psalms 66:12Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.Exodus 3:16Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:Malachi 3:1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Genesis 48:16The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.Deuteronomy 4:20But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
Historical Context
Theophanies often involve fire in Scripture (Genesis 15:17, Exodus 13:21, 19:18, Ezekiel 1:4). The burning bush becomes a foundational image of God's self-revelation. Later Jewish tradition associated the thornbush with Israel's suffering, and the fire that doesn't consume with God's sustaining grace. This encounter marks the shift from Moses' preparation to his commissioning.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the bush burning but not consumed illustrate God's presence with His people through affliction without being destroyed?
- What unexpected, humble 'bushes' might God be using to reveal His glory in your life or circumstances?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed (וַיֵּרָא מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה אֵלָיו בְּלַבַּת־אֵשׁ מִתּוֹךְ הַסְּנֶה וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה הַסְּנֶה בֹּעֵר בָּאֵשׁ וְהַסְּנֶה אֵינֶנּוּ אֻכָּל, vayera mal'akh YHWH elav belabbat-esh mitokh hasneh vayar vehineh hasneh bo'er ba'esh vehasneh einenu ukkal)—The angel of the LORD (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה, mal'akh YHWH) is often understood as a theophany—pre-incarnate manifestation of God Himself (cf. v. 4 where "the LORD" speaks from the bush). Flame of fire... not consumed—the miracle arrests Moses' attention: fire that burns but doesn't destroy. This symbolizes God's presence with Israel: afflicted but not destroyed (1:12), refined but not consumed (Isaiah 43:2). The humble bush (סְנֶה, seneh, thornbush) may represent Israel—lowly, yet containing God's glory. Fire represents God's holiness (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29).