Exodus 3:11

Translations

Modern

But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Traditional

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Literal

And Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”

Latin

Dixitque Moyses ad Deum: Quis sum ego ut vadam ad Pharaonem, et educam filios Israël de Ægypto?

Original

Hebrew

English

But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Notes

Exodus 3:11–12

Moses first protested that he was unworthy of such a great task, but God responded that this was not the issue. Human worthiness is of no significance if God’s presence is with that person.

Exodus 3:11–4:17

Moses, in his response to God, presented four reasons why he was not the one to fulfill God’s call. Although each reason supposedly relates to Moses and his ability, God’s answers show that they were really questions about God.

Exodus 3:1–4:28

This section describes the mission God gave Moses to rescue the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It is divided into two parts, 3:1–4:17 and 4:18–28.

The first part describes God's call. The second part describes the full consequences of accepting that call. Moses not only experienced a career change, but he also had to completely change his life.

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron Egypt Moses Hardened Hearts

Related verses

1 Samuel 18:18
And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?”
Exodus 6:12
But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”
2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.
Jeremiah 1:6
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
2 Corinthians 2:16
To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?
2 Samuel 7:18
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?
1 Kings 3:9
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Isaiah 6:5–8
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”
Exodus 4:10–13
“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
Acts 7:23–25
When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
1 Kings 3:7
And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.

Parallels

Acts 7:30–38

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during the Exodus

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Burning Bush Congregation Deuteronomy, Book of God, Being and Attributes of History of Israel John the Baptist Joshua, Book of Monotheism Moses Perizzite Prophecy Prophet, Prophetess

Topics

Doubting: Exemplified Faith: Trial of Moses, when Sent to Pharaoh Humility: Exemplified Humility: Moses Israel: Moses Commissioned As the Deliverer Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Under Moses As Leader Missionary Work by Ministers: God Qualifies For Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Moses

Exodus 3:11

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?