Exodus 4:5

Authorized King James Version

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That 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.

Original Language Analysis

לְמַ֣עַן H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יַֽאֲמִ֔ינוּ That they may believe H539
יַֽאֲמִ֔ינוּ That they may believe
Strong's: H539
Word #: 2 of 14
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 3 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִרְאָ֥ה hath appeared H7200
נִרְאָ֥ה hath appeared
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 4 of 14
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֵלֶ֛יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֛יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 5 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָ֖ה that the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה that the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י God H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 7 of 14
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
אֲבֹתָ֑ם of their fathers H1
אֲבֹתָ֑ם of their fathers
Strong's: H1
Word #: 8 of 14
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י God H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 9 of 14
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
אַבְרָהָ֛ם of Abraham H85
אַבְרָהָ֛ם of Abraham
Strong's: H85
Word #: 10 of 14
abraham, the later name of abram
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י God H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 11 of 14
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
יִצְחָ֖ק of Isaac H3327
יִצְחָ֖ק of Isaac
Strong's: H3327
Word #: 12 of 14
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י God H430
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 13 of 14
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
יַֽעֲקֹֽב׃ of Jacob H3290
יַֽעֲקֹֽב׃ of Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 14 of 14
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

Analysis & Commentary

That 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 (לְמַעַן יַאֲמִינוּ כִּי־נִרְאָה אֵלֶיךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתָם)—God explains the sign's purpose: that they may believe (לְמַעַן יַאֲמִינוּ). Signs serve faith, authenticating God's messenger. The fourfold divine identification—LORD God of their fathers, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—roots Moses' mission in covenant history. This isn't a new deity but the same covenant God who appeared to the patriarchs. The signs function as divine credentials, showing Moses speaks not for himself but for YHWH. True signs produce faith by pointing to God's character and covenant faithfulness, not the miracle-worker's greatness.

Historical Context

Israel needed assurance that Moses represented the covenant God of their fathers, not Egyptian gods or Moses' invention. The patriarchal connection (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) provided theological continuity crucial for national identity. Later, when Moses performed these signs before Israel, they believed and worshiped (4:30-31), validating God's wisdom in providing authenticating miracles.

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