Exodus 3:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 3:15
15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Chapter Context
Exodus 3 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of obedience, wisdom, redemption. 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 3:15
15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Analysis
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations (וַיֹּאמֶר עוֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶל־מֹשֶׁה כֹּה־תֹאמַר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם... זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם וְזֶה זִכְרִי לְדֹר דֹּר)—God expands the name revelation: The LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH)—the tetragrammaton, God's covenant name. It connects I AM (אֶהְיֶה, ehyeh) to the third person form: "He who is/will be." God of your fathers... Abraham, Isaac, Jacob roots this revelation in covenant history—not a new god but the patriarchs' God now revealing His personal name. This is my name for ever (זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם)—eternal, unchanging identifier. My memorial unto all generations (זִכְרִי לְדֹר דֹּר)—how God wants to be remembered and invoked. YHWH becomes Israel's most sacred name, so holy later Jews avoided pronouncing it, saying Adonai (Lord) instead.
Historical Context
The name YHWH (LORD) appears over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible, far more than any other divine name. Its etymology from 'to be' emphasizes God's self-existence and faithfulness ('He who is' and 'He who will be'—always present, unchanging). The Exodus event and name revelation became the defining moment in Israel's history, referenced throughout Scripture as the paradigmatic act of divine redemption.
Reflection
- How does God's eternal name YHWH assure you of His unchanging character and faithfulness across all generations?
- What does the connection between 'I AM' (v. 14) and 'YHWH' (v. 15) teach about God's self-revelation progressing from mystery to covenant relationship?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References God: Exodus 3:6, 4:5, Isaiah 9:6, Hosea 12:5, Micah 4:5, Acts 7:32
- References Lord: Psalms 102:12, 135:13, Malachi 3:6
- Parallel theme: Hebrews 13:8