Exodus 6:1 - Printer Friendly

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.”

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.

Exodus 6:1–13 is God's reassuring response to Moses' disappointment (Exodus 5:22–23). Phar-aoh retaliated against Israel rather than agreeing to their freedom (Exodus 5:6–9). Here, the Lord repeats that this is an expected part of the plan (Exodus 3:19–20). He re-identifies Himself and reminds Moses of His relationship with Israel's ancestors. Israel will be freed, and Egypt will be punished. God commands Moses to confront Pharaoh again, even though the Hebrew people are against it.

God responds to Moses, who struggles to understand recent events (Exodus 5:22–23). Pharaoh has retaliated against the Lord's message about Israel's freedom (Exodus 5:1–9). Here, the Lord repeats His predic-tion that Israel will be freed (Exodus 3:14–22). God's specific identity and relationship to Israel are key to this response. The Lord will fulfill His promises and take the Hebrews from Egypt into the Promised Land. The passage then rec-ords the genealogies of Moses and Aaron. Moses' commission from God is also repeated.

After centuries of enslavement (Exodus 1:11–14), God commissions Moses to be His representative in freeing Israel (Exodus 3:4–10). But when Moses delivers the Lord's message (Exodus 5:1–3), Pharaoh retaliates (Exodus 5:6–9). This leads to infighting (Exodus 5:20–21) and causes Moses to doubt (Exodus 5:22–23). After the Lord offers reassurances in this chapter, He will repeat an account of how the story will play out. Then God begins to bring plagues of judgment against Egypt (Exodus 7).

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.