Exodus 3:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.

NIV: So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.

NASB: So I will reach out with My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go.

CSB: But when I stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my miracles that I will perform in it, after that, he will let you go.

NLT: So I will raise my hand and strike the Egyptians, performing all kinds of miracles among them. Then at last he will let you go.

KJV: And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

NKJV: So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.

God has just delivered a message for Moses to pass along to the elders of Israel. Part is a command to confront Egypt's king—the pharaoh—and request a three-day leave for the Hebrews to worship God. This request will be refused, says God, since Egypt will never relax its grip on their slaves without coercion (Exodus 3:18–19).

In response, and to free Israel, God says He will "stretch out [His] hand" against the nation of Egypt. This was a common way for Moses to describe God's judgment (Exodus 7:5). Similar phrases are used often in the Old Testament, even outside of the books of Moses (e.g., Jeremiah 6:12; 51:25; Ezekiel 6:14; 14:9, 13; 25:13, 16; 35:3; Zephaniah 1:4). The idea of "striking" in judgment also recurs in Exodus. God "strikes" the Nile to turn it to blood (Exodus 7:17). He instructs Aaron to "strike the dust" to send gnats into the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:16). God also "strikes" the firstborn sons and animals in the tenth plague (Exodus 12:12, 13, 29).

God refers to His upcoming plagues using a Hebrew word that literally means "miracles." He later mentions "signs and wonders" using a term with a similar meaning (Exodus 7:3). God talks about His "wonders" being multiplied (Exodus 11:9), and Moses and Aaron perform "wonders" before Pharaoh (Exodus 11:10). Moses and the people will praise God for His "wonders" (Exodus 15:11). Moses again returns to the theme of "wonders" in Deuteronomy, mentioning God's many examples on several occasions (Deuteronomy 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 26:8; 29:3; 34:11). These supernatural miracles would continue in Joshua's time (Joshua 3:5), and God's many amazing acts are praised throughout Scripture (Psalm 77:11, 14; 78:4, 11, 12).

As in the gospel of John, the purpose of these miracles is to prove God's message, and His messenger, are true (John 20:30–31).

Exodus 3:20–22 summarizes God's plan for liberating Israel. In response to Pharaoh's hardness of heart, God will "strike" Egypt using miracles. Later chapters will record these as the ten plagues (Exodus 7—12). The power and impact of these will leave no doubt that He is the One True God. This will convince Pharaoh to release the Hebrews. It will also encourage the Egyptians to hand over much of their wealth to Israel, to speed their departure.

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.