Exodus 6:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am the Lord.

NIV: God also said to Moses, "I am the Lord.

NASB: God spoke further to Moses and said to him, 'I am the Lord;

CSB: Then God spoke to Moses, telling him, "I am the Lord.

NLT: And God said to Moses, 'I am Yahweh — ‘the Lord.’

KJV: And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord:

NKJV: And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the Lord.

When Moses expressed doubt (Exodus 5:22–23), God replied with reassurance that this was part of His expected plan (Exodus 6:1). Now God begins to re-establish His authority, His promises, and His relationship with the people of Isra-el.

First, God repeats the name used during Moses' encounter at the burning bush (Exodus 3:4–6). In Hebrew, this is formed with the letters yodh, he, waw, he. This is most easily presented in the Roman alphabet as "YHWH." Hebrew writing does not include vowels, but the presumed pronunciation of the term is Yahweh (Exodus 3:15). This is the closest thing to a proper name associated with God. The term is typically printed in English using small capitals, as "Lord."

The next verse makes a curious reference to how God identified Himself to previous generations (Exodus 6:3). While the word YHWH appears in many verses before the book of Exodus, it was not God's primary alias. Rather, the Lord had labeled Himself as "God Almighty," from the Hebrew ēl' saddāy', or El Shaddai (Genesis 17:1; 35:11).

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.

Accessed 4/15/2025 10:55:18 PM