Exodus 3:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.

NIV: But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.

NASB: But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion.

CSB: "However, I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go, even under force from a strong hand.

NLT: But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand forces him.

KJV: And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.

NKJV: But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand.

After commanding Moses and the elders of Israel to confront Pharaoh (Exodus 3:16–18), God warns that the Egyptian ruler will not be receptive. Pharaoh is also often called "king of Egypt" in Exodus, or "Pharaoh king of Egypt." According to God, the only way Pharaoh will agree to even the slightest release for Israel is if "compelled by a mighty hand." The "mighty hand" of God is mentioned later in Exodus (Exodus 6:1; 13:9; 32:11), Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 3:24; 4:34; 5:15; 6:21; 7:8, 19; 9:26; 11:2; 26:8), and elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., 1 Kings 8:42; 2 Chronicles 6:32; Nehemiah 1:10; Psalm 136:12; Jeremiah 32:21; Ezekiel 20:33–34; 30:22; Daniel 9:15).

This mighty hand of God will include ten plagues (Exodus 7—12), concluding with the death of the firstborn sons of Egypt. Only after that will the Egyptian king allow the Hebrews to leave (Exodus 3:20). Further, upcoming verses conclude with the predictions the Jews will "plunder" the Egyptians through the items they request (Exodus 3:21–22). This prediction will be fulfilled as the liberated Jews are given jewelry and clothing by the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35–36, 41).

Exodus 3:16–19 records a message Moses is to deliver when he arrives in Egypt. This is addressed to the '"elders of Israel," and includes a statement meant to be spoken to Pharaoh. God promises to free Israel from slavery. He will establish them in a fertile, free land. The first step in this liberation is to ask Egypt's king for a relatively minor concession: three days for Israel to worship their God. Pharaoh is predicted to refuse this, demonstrating his complete lack of empathy for the Hebrew people.

Moses is tending sheep for his father-in-law when he sees a miraculous sight: a bush which is on fire, but not burnt up. From this fire, God speaks to Moses, appointing him as the leader of the nation of Israel, whom God intends to free from Egyptian slavery. God identifies Himself in this passage using the famous terminology ''I am.'' Despite Moses' fears and doubts, God gives him a message to take to the elders of Israel, and eventually to Pharaoh himself.

Prior chapters in Exodus explained how the descendants of Abraham became a populous nation, but also one enslaved in Egypt. Exodus 3 describes the moment when God calls Moses to lead Israel out of slavery. This is accomplished through the miracle of the burning bush. This begins a dialogue between God and Moses. It includes messages for both Israel and Pharaoh which will continue into chapter 4.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.