Exodus 3:9
Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֕ה
H6258
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
רָאִ֙יתִי֙
unto me and I have also seen
H7200
רָאִ֙יתִי֙
unto me and I have also seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
9 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִצְרַ֖יִם
wherewith the Egyptians
H4714
מִצְרַ֖יִם
wherewith the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
13 of 15
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
Cross References
Exodus 2:23And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.Exodus 3:7And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;Exodus 1:11Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.Exodus 1:22And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.Psalms 12:5For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.Ecclesiastes 4:1So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.Ecclesiastes 5:8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.Amos 4:1Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
Historical Context
Israel's suffering had intensified over generations (1:11-14). God's timing in responding wasn't indifference but purposeful—waiting until both Israel's desperation and Moses' preparation reached the appointed moment. The cry reaching God (2:23, 3:7, 9) shows that fervent prayer moves divine compassion to action (James 5:16).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's repeated emphasis on hearing cries and seeing oppression assure you that He's aware of and cares about suffering?
- What does the connection between God's seeing (v. 9) and God's sending (v. 10) teach about prayer as the catalyst for divine intervention?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them (וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה צַעֲקַת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּאָה אֵלָי וְגַם־רָאִיתִי אֶת־הַלַּחַץ אֲשֶׁר מִצְרַיִם לֹחֲצִים אֹתָם)—God reiterates His awareness: the cry... is come unto me (צַעֲקַת... בָּאָה אֵלָי, echoing 2:23). I have also seen the oppression (רָאִיתִי אֶת־הַלַּחַץ)—oppression (לַחַץ, lachats) means crushing pressure/affliction. The repetition (v. 7 and v. 9) emphasizes God's compassionate motivation—He acts because He hears and sees suffering. This isn't abstract theology but personal concern. The double emphasis prepares Moses for the call (v. 10): because God has seen and heard, He now sends Moses to act. Divine compassion leads to divine action through human agents.