Exodus 3:13
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 3:13
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
Chapter Context
Exodus 3 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of hope, discipleship, grace. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-22: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 3:13
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
Analysis
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי בָא אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם וְאָמְרוּ־לִי מַה־שְּׁמוֹ מָה אֹמַר אֲלֵהֶם)—Moses' second objection: credibility/authority. What is his name? (מַה־שְּׁמוֹ, mah-shemo)—Ancient Near Eastern cultures believed names revealed essence/character. Israel knew God of your fathers (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם), but what is His personal covenant name? Moses needs more than "the ancestral deity"—he needs the name that will authenticate his mission and reveal God's character. God's response (v. 14-15) gives the most profound self-revelation in Scripture: YHWH, the I AM.
Historical Context
Names in ancient cultures weren't arbitrary labels but revealed character and essence. Knowing someone's name meant knowing their nature and having relationship. Moses' question seeks the covenant name that will unite Israel and distinguish YHWH from Egypt's pantheon. God's answer (YHWH) becomes Israel's most sacred name, the covenant identifier used over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible.
Reflection
- How does Moses' request for God's name reflect the importance of knowing God's character, not just His existence?
- What does the emphasis on God's name teach about the relationship between knowing God personally (by name) and serving Him faithfully?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References God: Exodus 3:14, Isaiah 9:6
- References Israel: Jeremiah 23:6
- Parallel theme: Genesis 32:29, Proverbs 30:4, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:21