Exodus 3:20

Translations

Modern

So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And I will stretch out My hand, and I will strike Egypt with all My wonders that I will do in its midst. And after that, he will send you out.

Latin

Extendam enim manum meam, et percutiam Ægyptum in cunctis mirabilibus meis, quæ facturus sum in medio eorum: post hæc dimittet vos.

Original

Hebrew

English

So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you.

Notes

Exodus 3:20–21

God’s power would be obvious, and the Egyptians would not only allow the Hebrews to leave, they would pay them to do so.

Exodus 3:13–22

The second protest Moses made was about his lack of knowledge. He said that he did not know God’s name.

This could mean that God’s personal name had not yet been made known to him (see study notes on 6:2–3). It could also mean something else. In the ancient Near East, people often believed that knowing a god’s secret name gave them power. Moses may have wondered if he needed such a secret formula (special words believed to control spiritual power).

God’s answer is direct, but it sounds almost like a riddle at first. However, most of his answer does not focus on a secret name. Instead, God speaks about his faithfulness in the past and his plans for the future. He shows that he knows what will happen and that he controls history.

There is nothing magical about the name "the LORD" (Hebrew Yahweh). The issue is not secret knowledge or magic power. The issue is who God is.

The name is important because of the character and nature of the one who bears it. God is faithful, powerful, and Lord over all of history.

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

Related verses

Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.
Nehemiah 9:10
You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.
Exodus 9:15
For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth.
Deuteronomy 6:22
Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household.
Exodus 6:6
Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
Exodus 12:31–33
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.
Exodus 11:8–9
And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.
Psalm 105:27
They performed His miraculous signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
Exodus 11:1
Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.
Psalm 106:22
…wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
Judges 6:8
He sent them a prophet, who told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Isaiah 19:22
And the LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; He will strike them but heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and He will hear their prayers and heal them.

Parallels

Acts 7:30–38

Places

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

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel John the Baptist Joshua, Book of Prophecy Prophet, Prophetess

Topics

God: Knowledge of Israel: Moses Commissioned As the Deliverer Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Moses

Exodus 3:20

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