What does Exodus 6:10 mean?
ESV: So the Lord said to Moses,
NIV: Then the Lord said to Moses,
NASB: Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
CSB: Then the Lord spoke to Moses,
NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses,
KJV: And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
NKJV: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
Verse Commentary:
God has given many messages to Moses. This began when Moses encountered a burning bush (Exodus 3:4–6). The Lord commissioned Moses to herald Israel's freedom from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3:19–20; 4:19–23). But when Moses and Aaron brought this to Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1–3), the Egyptian king retaliated with even harsher slavery (Exodus 5:19–21). Despite assurances (Exodus 6:1–8), the people are too beaten down and weary to listen (Exodus 6:9). What follows are the Lord's instructions for Moses' next confrontation with Pharaoh.
Verse Context:
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.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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).
Book Summary:
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.
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