Exodus 6
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1Yahweh said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh, for by a strong hand he shall let them go, and by a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land.” 2God spoke to Moses, and said to him, “I am Yahweh; 3and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them. 4I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens. 5Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant. 6Therefore tell the children of Israel, ‘I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments: 7and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am Yahweh.’” 9Moses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn’t listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. 10Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 11“Go in, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.” 12Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, “Behold, the children of Israel haven’t listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, who am of uncircumcised lips?” 13Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a command to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 14These are the heads of their fathers’ houses. The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben. 15The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon. 16These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari; and the years of the life of Levi were one hundred thirty-seven years. 17The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families. 18The sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years. 19The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations. 20Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years. 21The sons of Izhar: Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri. 22The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 24The sons of Korah: Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites. 25Eleazar Aaron’s son took one of the daughters of Putiel as his wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families. 26These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom Yahweh said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.” 27These are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron. 28On the day when Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “I am Yahweh. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak to you.” 30Moses said before Yahweh, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh listen to me?”
World English Bible (public domain)
““Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.””
Exodus 6:6
Summary
Exodus chapter 6 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. God reassures Moses that He has not forgotten His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite the current suffering and oppression the Israelites experience, God promises to deliver them from bondage, claiming them as His people. Moses, feeling inadequate and doubting his own abilities, receives God's assurance that He will act powerfully to rescue His people. This chapter emphasizes the theme of divine faithfulness amidst human doubt and suffering, illustrating God's steadfast commitment to fulfill His promises.
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Chapter outline
How Exodus 6 unfolds
Exodus 6:1 God's Assurance to Moses
Yahweh reassures Moses that Pharaoh will let the Israelites go by His strong hand, indicating divine intervention.
Exodus 6:2–8 Covenant and Deliverance Promised
God proclaims His identity as Yahweh, recalling His covenant with the patriarchs and promising deliverance and redemption for Israel.
Exodus 6:9–12 Israel's Reluctance to Listen
Moses reports the Israelites' despair and lack of faith, questioning how Pharaoh will listen given their own disbelief.
Exodus 6:13–30 God's Command and Moses' Doubt
Yahweh commands Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh, while Moses expresses his self-doubt about being heard.
Key verses
Exodus 6:6Exodus 6:6 encapsulates God's promise of deliverance, serving as a pivotal declaration for the Israelites' hope.
Main themes in Exodus 6
Divine Faithfulness
The theme of divine faithfulness emerges when God reaffirms His covenant with the patriarchs in verses 4-5. In these verses, God expresses His commitment to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, despite the current hardships faced by the Israelites. This reaffirmation serves to strengthen the faith of the people and sets the foundation for their anticipated deliverance, demonstrating God's unwavering dedication to His people throughout their suffering.
Redemption
Redemption is prominently featured in verses 6-8, where God explicitly announces His plan to rescue the Israelites from their oppression in Egypt. The language surrounding redemption conveys an assurance of deliverance that encompasses both physical escape and spiritual renewal within the covenant relationship. This dual aspect of redemption signifies God's intention to not only liberate His people from slavery but also to establish a deeper, more intimate connection with them as His chosen nation.
Covenant Relationship
The covenant relationship is established in verses 2-4, as God identifies Himself as the one who made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This chapter illustrates how God’s covenant is active and ongoing, particularly in the context of Israel's suffering. It reinforces the idea that God is committed to His people and their future.
Hope in Suffering
Hope in suffering is evident in verse 6, where God assures the Israelites of deliverance despite their current anguish. The chapter portrays their struggles as a backdrop against which God's promises shine brighter. This offers both a reassurance to the suffering and a reminder of divine promise in dire circumstances.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Exodus 6
- 1 Chronicles 6This passage connects by detailing the lineage of the Levites, emphasizing their priestly role in God's covenant.
- Exodus 3This echoes God's self-revelation to Moses and His commitment to deliver Israel from Egypt.
- Exodus 12This develops the theme of redemption as God prepares to deliver His people from bondage.
- Numbers 3This connects through the emphasis on the Levitical priesthood and their role in the covenant community.
- Numbers 26This echoes the genealogical listings, highlighting the continuity of God's promise through generations.
- Deuteronomy 4This passage connects by reinforcing the importance of remembering God's covenant and His mighty acts.
Study questions
Questions for studying Exodus 6
- What does God promise to the Israelites in verses 6 and 7?
- How does Moses describe his speaking ability in verse 12?
- Why do the Israelites not listen to Moses as stated in verse 9?
- What elements of God's character are revealed in verses 2-4?
- How might Moses' feelings of inadequacy relate to God's assurances?
Exodus 6: frequently asked questions
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