Exodus 3 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Exodus 3 meaning explained in AI Summary

God reveals his name, Yahweh, to Moses and promises to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land. Moses initially hesitates, questioning his own abilities and Pharaoh's willingness to listen. However, God assures Moses of his presence and power and provides him with signs to demonstrate his authority.

This chapter marks a pivotal moment in Exodus, where God reveals himself to Moses and calls him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

1. The Burning Bush: Moses, now a shepherd, encounters a remarkable sight while tending his flock near Mount Horeb - a bush engulfed in flames yet unconsumed.

2. God's Voice: Intrigued, Moses approaches the burning bush and hears the voice of God calling out to him. God identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing his covenant with their ancestors.

3. Holy Ground: God commands Moses to remove his sandals, for the ground he stands on is holy. This signifies the sacredness of the encounter and God's presence.

4. God's Compassion: God reveals his awareness of the Israelites' suffering and oppression in Egypt. He expresses his deep compassion for their plight and declares his intention to deliver them.

5. The Mission: God appoints Moses as his chosen instrument to liberate the Israelites. He instructs Moses to confront Pharaoh, the Egyptian king, and demand the release of his people.

6. Moses' Doubts: Overwhelmed by the task, Moses expresses his doubts and insecurities. He questions his own abilities and wonders if Pharaoh will even listen to him.

7. God's Reassurance: God reassures Moses, promising to be with him and equip him for the task. He provides signs and wonders to authenticate Moses' authority and convince the Israelites to follow him.

8. The Promised Land: God reiterates his promise to bring the Israelites to a land "flowing with milk and honey" - a land of abundance and freedom.

9. Moses' Reluctance: Despite God's reassurances, Moses remains hesitant and tries to excuse himself from the mission, claiming he lacks eloquence and persuasive speech.

10. Aaron's Appointment: Recognizing Moses' concerns, God appoints Aaron, Moses' brother, as his spokesperson. Aaron will speak on Moses' behalf to both Pharaoh and the Israelites.

The chapter ends with Moses still apprehensive but ultimately accepting his divine calling. He prepares to return to Egypt and confront Pharaoh, armed with God's power and promise of deliverance for his people.

Exodus 3 bible study ai commentary

Exodus 3 details the foundational moment of Israel's redemption: the divine call of Moses. It transitions from Moses's quiet life as a shepherd to his commission as God's chosen deliverer. The chapter is dominated by a powerful theophany at the burning bush where God reveals His compassionate nature, His covenant faithfulness, and His personal, eternal name, YHWH ("I AM"). God outlines His plan to rescue Israel from Egypt, confronting Moses's insecurities with the promise of His own divine presence and authority.

Exodus 3 context

Forty years after fleeing Egypt, Moses is a shepherd in Midian, a vast desert region east of Egypt. This period served as a time of humbling and preparation, stripping him of his Egyptian princely identity. The narrative is set at "Horeb, the mountain of God," also known as Sinai, a location already considered sacred. This event occurs within the broader context of the oppression of the Israelites, who have been enslaved for generations in Egypt, a dominant world power with a complex pantheon of gods, including the deified Pharaoh. The chapter's events serve as God's direct intervention in history, initiating His long-promised deliverance.

Exodus 3:1

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

In-depth-analysis

Keeping the flock: Moses, once a prince of Egypt (Acts 7:22), is now a humble shepherd. This 40-year period represents a divine school of humility and patience, preparing him to lead God's "flock," Israel.
West side of the wilderness ('achar hamidbar): Literally "the back side" or "far side." This signifies a journey into a remote, uninhabited, and liminal space, a place set apart for divine encounters.
Horeb, the mountain of God: This site is retrospectively named. It becomes the mountain of God because of the encounter here and the subsequent giving of the Law (Deut 4:10). Horeb and Sinai are generally considered two names for the same location. It becomes the pivotal geographic point for the birth of Israel as a nation.

Bible references

Acts 7:29-30: "Then Moses fled... and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian... after forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai..." (NT summary of this event).
1 Kings 19:8: "And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God." (Elijah flees here to have his own divine encounter).

Cross references

Gal 1:17 (Apostle Paul's desert preparation), Psa 23:1 (The Lord as shepherd), Heb 11:27 (Moses's faith in leaving Egypt).

Exodus 3:2-3

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”

In-depth-analysis

Angel of the LORD: Often understood as a theophany, a visible manifestation of God Himself. In verse 4, the speaker is identified simply as "the LORD" (YHWH). Many theologians, both ancient and modern, identify this figure as the pre-incarnate Christ.
Flame of Fire: Fire is a common biblical symbol of God's presence, holiness, and purifying power (Gen 15:17; Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29).
Bush (sneh): A humble thornbush. The paradox of a glorious God appearing in a lowly bush is profound. It reflects God choosing the humble (Moses) and the afflicted (Israel) for His purposes.
Not consumed: The fire's supernatural character—imparting God's presence without destruction—captures God's essence. This sign is meant to provoke curiosity and awe, drawing Moses in.

Bible references

Acts 7:30: "...an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush." (Confirms the angelic appearance).
Luke 20:37: "But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham..." (Jesus references this event to prove the resurrection).
Deut 33:16: "...and for the favor of him who dwelt in the bush. May it rest on the head of Joseph..." (The memory of God "dwelling" in the bush becomes a blessing).

Cross references

Judg 6:11-12 (Angel of the LORD calls Gideon), Judg 13:20-21 (Angel ascends in flame), Dan 3:25-27 (Men in fire, unconsumed).

Polemics

The sight of God in a burning bush stands in stark contrast to Egyptian nature and solar deities (like Ra). This God is not part of nature; He is supernatural and controls nature, able to sustain a fire without fuel. His presence is powerful but, in this case, not destructive to that which He inhabits.

Exodus 3:4-5

When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

In-depth-analysis

Moses, Moses!: The repetition of a name in a divine call signifies importance and intimacy (cf. Gen 22:11, "Abraham, Abraham!"; 1 Sam 3:10, "Samuel, Samuel!"; Luke 10:41 "Martha, Martha!").
Here I am (hineni): The classic Hebrew response of readiness and attentiveness to a divine summons.
Take your sandals off: An act of reverence and respect in the presence of holiness, common in the Ancient Near East. Shoes were associated with the dust and filth of the profane, mundane world. Removing them is a recognition that one is entering a sacred domain.
Holy ground: The ground is not intrinsically holy. It is sanctified—made holy—by the manifest presence of God. This introduces the crucial biblical concept that God's presence defines sacred space.

Bible references

Joshua 5:15: "And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take off your sandal from your foot, for the place where you are standing is holy.’" (A direct parallel event with Joshua before the battle of Jericho).
Acts 7:33: "Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’" (Stephen's direct quote in his sermon).

Cross references

Gen 28:16-17 (Jacob at Bethel recognizes holy ground), Ecc 5:1 (Guard your steps when you go to the house of God), Psa 24:3-4 (Who may stand in his holy place?).

Exodus 3:6

And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

In-depth-analysis

God of your father: Connects immediately to Moses's personal lineage (Amram) and collectively to his ancestors.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: This specific formulation is critical. It grounds God's actions not in a new plan, but in His everlasting covenant made with the patriarchs (Gen 12, 26, 28). It declares Him to be a personal, relational, and covenant-keeping God throughout history.
Hid his face: A natural and appropriate human reaction to a direct encounter with the unveiled holiness of God. No sinful human can see God in His fullness and live (Exod 33:20). This shows reverence and terror.

Bible references

Matthew 22:32: "‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” (Jesus quotes this verse to prove the doctrine of the resurrection to the Sadducees).
Hebrews 11:16: "...Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." (The patriarchs' faith led to God identifying Himself with them).
1 Kings 19:13: "And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave." (Similar reaction of fear and reverence).

Cross references

Acts 3:13 (Peter begins his sermon with this title), Gen 17:3 (Abram falls on his face), Isa 6:5 (Isaiah's reaction to God's holiness).

Exodus 3:7-10

Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry... I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey... And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression... Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

In-depth-analysis

Seen... heard... know: This triad emphasizes God's profound empathy and intimate awareness. He is not a distant, aloof deity but is actively engaged with the suffering of His people.
I have come down (yarad): A significant verb indicating direct, powerful divine intervention in human affairs. God "came down" at Babel in judgment (Gen 11:5) and will "come down" at Sinai in revelation (Exod 19:20).
Good and spacious land... flowing with milk and honey: A proverbial description of fertility and prosperity, contrasting sharply with the slavery and barrenness of bondage in Egypt. This is the fulfillment of the land promise to Abraham (Gen 15:18-21).
Come, I will send you: The divine commission. God's "coming down" is to be actualized through His human agent, Moses. God's sovereignty and human responsibility are woven together.

Bible references

Psalm 103:6-7: "The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel." (Summarizes God's character revealed in the Exodus).
James 5:4: "Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields... are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts." (Echoes the theme of God hearing the cry of the oppressed).
Acts 7:34: "I have surely seen the affliction of my people... and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt." (Stephen's direct quotation).

Cross references

Gen 50:24-25 (Joseph's prophecy of God's visitation), Exod 2:23-25 (The groaning of Israel that precedes this call), Deut 26:7-9 (Israel's liturgical retelling of these events).

Exodus 3:11-12

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

In-depth-analysis

Who am I?: Moses’s first objection. It is one of personal inadequacy and lowliness. He is no longer a prince of Egypt, but a fugitive shepherd. He feels utterly unqualified for such a monumental task.
I will be with you ('ehyeh 'immak): God does not answer by listing Moses's qualifications. He shifts the focus from "Who am I?" to "Who is with me?". The assurance of divine presence is the ultimate and only sufficient qualification for God's servants.
This shall be the sign: The sign offered is a future event: "you shall serve God on this mountain." This requires faith. It is not an immediate miracle to convince Moses, but a promise that the successful completion of the mission will be the ultimate proof of his divine call.

Bible references

Jeremiah 1:6-8: "Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ But the LORD said to me... ‘for I am with you to deliver you...’" (Parallel call narrative: inadequacy met with promise of presence).
Matthew 28:20: "...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Jesus's final promise to His disciples, echoing this foundational promise to Moses).
Hebrews 13:5-6: "...for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper...’" (The assurance of God's presence as the basis for all Christian confidence).

Cross references

Josh 1:5 (Promise of presence to Joshua), Isa 43:2 (Promise of presence through fire and water), Judg 6:15-16 (Gideon's "Who am I?" moment).

Exodus 3:13-15

Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

In-depth-analysis

What is his name?: More than asking for a label. In ANE thought, a name revealed a person's character, essence, and authority. Moses is asking, "By what authority do you send me? What is your nature?"
I AM WHO I AM ('ehyeh 'asher 'ehyeh): The profound self-revelation of God. It is a verb-based name derived from the Hebrew hayah ("to be"). It implies:
- Self-existence: He is the uncreated, independent, necessary Being. The ground of all being.
- Sovereignty/Freedom: "I will be what I will be." He is unconstrained and cannot be manipulated or defined by others.
- Active Presence & Faithfulness: "I will be there." It is a dynamic statement, linking to verse 12 ("I will be with you"). He is the ever-present, covenant-keeping God who will act on behalf of Israel.
I AM has sent me to you: God abbreviates the name to its core essence, 'Ehyeh ("I AM").
The LORD (YHWH): God then gives the name the Israelites are to use: YHWH (often pronounced Yahweh). 'YHWH' is the third-person form ("He Is" or "He Causes to Be"), while 'Ehyeh is the first-person form ("I Am"). They are the same name from different perspectives. This is God's personal, covenant name.
Name forever... remembered: This revelation is permanent and central to Israel's identity and worship.

Bible references

John 8:58: "Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’” (Jesus explicitly claims the divine name and identity of "I AM," an assertion of His full deity).
Revelation 1:8: “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” (The NT expression of the timeless, eternal nature of the God of Exodus 3).
Hosea 12:4-5: "He struggled with the angel and prevailed... the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is his memorial name." (The name YHWH as God's memorial name).

Cross references

Isa 44:6 (The LORD, the King of Israel... "I am the first and I am the last"), Psa 135:13 (Your name, O LORD, endures forever), Mal 3:6 (For I the LORD do not change).

Polemics

This revelation is a direct polemic against Egyptian religion, where gods had secret names that could be discovered and used by magicians to coerce them. The God of Israel declares His name is "I will be who I will be," fundamentally asserting that He cannot be controlled or manipulated. His character is the authority, not a magic formula.

Exodus 3:16-20

Go and gather the elders of Israel... and say to them, 'The LORD... has appeared to me'... saying, ‘I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt... to a land flowing with milk and honey.' ...And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders... After that he will let you go.

In-depth-analysis

Gather the elders: Moses is instructed to work through Israel's existing leadership structure.
God of the Hebrews: A title used primarily when dealing with foreigners (like Pharaoh). It identifies YHWH as the specific deity of this ethnic group.
Three days' journey: This is the initial request. It's a test case that is reasonable from an ANE perspective. Pharaoh's refusal of this modest request will reveal his intransigence and justify God's subsequent, more severe judgments (the plagues).
I know that the king... will not let you go: Divine foreknowledge. God is not reacting to Pharaoh; He is sovereign over the entire confrontation, knowing the outcome in advance.
Strike Egypt with all my wonders: A direct prediction of the plagues, revealing that God has a predetermined plan to demonstrate His power over the gods of Egypt.

Bible references

Romans 9:17: "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’" (Paul explains God's sovereign purpose in hardening Pharaoh's heart).
Exodus 5:1-3: (Moses and Aaron present this exact request to Pharaoh, and he refuses, initiating the conflict).

Cross references

Exod 7:3-5 (God repeats His plan to harden Pharaoh's heart to display His power), Psa 136:10-12 (Recounting God striking Egypt and bringing Israel out with a mighty hand), Jer 32:20-21 (Recalling the signs and wonders in Egypt).

Exodus 3:21-22

And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

In-depth-analysis

Give this people favor: The Hebrew suggests a sovereign act of God changing the Egyptians' attitude toward the Israelites at the moment of departure.
Ask... for articles of silver and gold: The verb sha'al (ask) is the same root used for Israel's "request" to go and worship.
Plunder the Egyptians: The Hebrew natsal can mean "to strip" or "to plunder." This is not theft, but divine justice. It represents reparations for centuries of unpaid slave labor. The wealth of Egypt, built on the backs of Hebrew slaves, is being justly reclaimed. This wealth will later be used to fund the construction of the Tabernacle (Exod 35:22-24).

Bible references

Exodus 12:35-36: "The people of Israel... had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians..." (The direct fulfillment of this promise).
Genesis 15:14: "But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions." (The direct fulfillment of a specific prophecy given to Abraham 400+ years earlier).

Cross references

Ezek 39:10 (The concept of plundering one's oppressors), Psa 105:37 (Recounts God bringing them out with silver and gold), Luke 1:53 (He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty).

Exodus chapter 3 analysis

The Structure of a Divine Call: The chapter follows a classic pattern seen elsewhere in the Bible (cf. Isaiah 6, Jeremiah 1): 1) Divine Confrontation, 2) Commission, 3) Objection, 4) Reassurance, and 5) Sign.
Progressive Revelation: While God has been known as El Shaddai (God Almighty) to the patriarchs (Exod 6:3), this chapter marks a profound deepening in the revelation of His character through His personal, covenantal name, YHWH.
God's Character on Display: God is revealed as holy (v. 5), covenant-keeping (v. 6), compassionate (v. 7), just (v. 8, 22), sovereign over history (v. 19), and immanently present with His people (v. 12).
The Burning Bush as a Metaphor: Many commentators see the bush as a symbol for Israel: afflicted in the "fire" of Egypt but, by God's sustaining presence, "not consumed." It can also symbolize God Himself, whose divine energy is inexhaustible and not dependent on any external fuel.
Human Weakness and Divine Power: A central theme is the juxtaposition of Moses's inadequacy ("Who am I?") and God's all-sufficient presence ("I will be with you"). God's power is perfected in human weakness (2 Cor 12:9).

Exodus 3 summary

God appears to Moses, a shepherd in Midian, in a burning bush at Mount Horeb. Declaring Himself the covenant-keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He reveals His plan to deliver the oppressed Israelites from Egypt. God commissions a reluctant Moses, countering his feelings of inadequacy with the promise of divine presence ("I will be with you") and revealing His personal name, YHWH (I AM WHO I AM), as the ultimate authority. He foretells both Pharaoh's resistance and Egypt's eventual downfall and plundering by Israel.

Exodus 2 AI Exodus 4 AI

Exodus 3 AI Image Audio and Video

Exodus chapter 3 kjv

¹ Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
² And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
³ And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
⁴ And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
⁵ And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
⁶ Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
⁷ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
⁸ And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
⁹ Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
¹⁰ Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
¹¹ 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?
¹² And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
¹³ And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
¹⁴ And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
¹⁵ And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
¹⁶ Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
¹⁷ And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
¹⁸ And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
¹⁹ And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
²⁰ 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.
²¹ And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty.
²² But every woman shall borrow of her neighbor, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Exodus chapter 3 nkjv

¹ Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
² And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.
³ Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn."
⁴ So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."
⁵ Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."
⁶ Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father?the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
⁷ And the LORD said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
⁸ So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.
⁹ Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
¹⁰ Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
¹¹ But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
¹² So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."
¹³ Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"
¹⁴ And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
¹⁵ Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'
¹⁶ Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt;
¹⁷ and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey." '
¹⁸ Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, 'The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.'
¹⁹ But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand.
²⁰ So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.
²¹ And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed.
²² But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians."

Exodus chapter 3 niv

¹ Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
² There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
³ So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight?why the bush does not burn up."
⁴ When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am."
⁵ "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."
⁶ Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
⁷ The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.
⁸ So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey?the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
⁹ And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.
¹⁰ So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."
¹¹ But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"
¹² And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."
¹³ Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
¹⁴ God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'?"
¹⁵ God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers?the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?has sent me to you.' "This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
¹⁶ "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers?the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.
¹⁷ And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites?a land flowing with milk and honey.'
¹⁸ "The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.'
¹⁹ But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.
²⁰ So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.
²¹ "And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed.
²² Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians."

Exodus chapter 3 esv

¹ Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
² And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.
³ And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned."
⁴ When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."
⁵ Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
⁶ And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
⁷ Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,
⁸ and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
⁹ And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
¹⁰ Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
¹¹ But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
¹² He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."
¹³ Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?"
¹⁴ God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
¹⁵ God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
¹⁶ Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt,
¹⁷ and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey."'
¹⁸ And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.'
¹⁹ But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.
²⁰ So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.
²¹ And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty,
²² but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians."

Exodus chapter 3 nlt

¹ One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God.
² There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn't burn up.
³ "This is amazing," Moses said to himself. "Why isn't that bush burning up? I must go see it."
⁴ When the LORD saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, "Moses! Moses!" "Here I am!" Moses replied.
⁵ "Do not come any closer," the LORD warned. "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.
⁶ I am the God of your father ? the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.
⁷ Then the LORD told him, "I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.
⁸ So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey ? the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.
⁹ Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them.
¹⁰ Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt."
¹¹ But Moses protested to God, "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?"
¹² God answered, "I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain."
¹³ But Moses protested, "If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' they will ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what should I tell them?"
¹⁴ God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you."
¹⁵ God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors ? the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob ? has sent me to you. This is my eternal name,
my name to remember for all generations.
¹⁶ "Now go and call together all the elders of Israel. Tell them, 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors ? the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ? has appeared to me. He told me, "I have been watching closely, and I see how the Egyptians are treating you.
¹⁷ I have promised to rescue you from your oppression in Egypt. I will lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey ? the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live."'
¹⁸ "The elders of Israel will accept your message. Then you and the elders must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD, our God.'
¹⁹ "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand forces him.
²⁰ So I will raise my hand and strike the Egyptians, performing all kinds of miracles among them. Then at last he will let you go.
²¹ And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed.
²² Every Israelite woman will ask for articles of silver and gold and fine clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and from the foreign women in their houses. You will dress your sons and daughters with these, stripping the Egyptians of their wealth."