Exodus 3:6

Authorized King James Version

Moreover 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר
Moreover he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אָֽנֹכִי֙
i
#3
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
I am the God
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
#4
אָבִ֔יךָ
H1
of thy father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#5
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
I am the God
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
#6
אַבְרָהָ֛ם
H85
of Abraham
abraham, the later name of abram
#7
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
I am the God
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
#8
יִצְחָ֖ק
of Isaac
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
#9
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
I am the God
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
#10
יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב
of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#11
וַיַּסְתֵּ֤ר
hid
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
#12
מֹשֶׁה֙
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#13
פָּנָ֔יו
his face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
יָרֵ֔א
for he was afraid
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#16
מֵֽהַבִּ֖יט
to look
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
#17
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
I am the God
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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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