Exodus 6:1

ESV But the Lord said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land."

NIV Then the Lord said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country."

NASB Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.'

CSB But the Lord replied to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: because of a strong hand he will let them go, and because of a strong hand he will drive them from his land."

NLT Then the Lord told Moses, 'Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave his land!'

KJV Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

NKJV Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”

What does Exodus 6:1 mean?

Moses was concerned that the Lord was not fulfilling His promises (Exodus 5:22–23). Israel was already suffering (Exodus 1:11–14) and Pharaoh's retaliation (Exodus 5:6–9) has made it worse (Exodus 5:20–21). However, God had already told Moses that Egypt's king would be resistant, and that the Lord would need to demonstrate power to free Israel (Exodus 3:19–20). Pharaoh has proven his stubbornness (Exodus 5:6–9). This triggers God's series of plagues against Egypt (Exodus 7:4).

The phrasing of God's statement here is difficult to translate. Some interpreters view this as a repeated claim that God will use His strength to force Israel's freedom. Others see a claim that Pharaoh will be the one to forcefully push the Hebrews out. Others see both, suggesting that the Lord will compel, and in turn Pharaoh will compel the Israelites. Any of these are pos-sible, and none change the clearer parts of the story. It's established that the Lord alone provides the power and au-thority to free Israel (Exodus 3:7–8; 4:21). Pharaoh will be forced by God's devastating plagues to release the slaves (Exodus 3:20; 4:22–23). When that happens, Pharaoh will passionately demand that Israel leave (Exodus 12:31–32). Later, he will pursue the people towards the Red Sea (Exodus 14:8–9), leading to their further escape (Exodus 14:27–29).

In other words, the Lord is compelling Pharaoh, and Pharaoh will eventu-ally compel his own slaves; both act with the intent that Israel leave Egypt behind. Which combination this verse intends is uncertain, but the message is the same.

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