Exodus 11:3 kjv
And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.
Exodus 11:3 nkjv
And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.
Exodus 11:3 niv
(The LORD made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh's officials and by the people.)
Exodus 11:3 esv
And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.
Exodus 11:3 nlt
(Now the LORD had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel. And Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt, respected by Pharaoh's officials and the Egyptian people alike.)
Exodus 11 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 6:8 | But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. | God grants favor to individuals. |
| Gen 39:21 | But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. | God grants favor even in difficult circumstances. |
| Ex 3:21-22 | And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians... | God's promise to give Israel favor before Exodus. |
| Ex 12:35-36 | The people of Israel had also done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked the Egyptians for articles...And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. | Direct fulfillment of the favor aspect mentioned here. |
| Num 12:3 | Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. | Moses' humility despite his great power/stature. |
| Num 12:7-8 | Not so with My servant Moses...with him I speak mouth to mouth. | Moses' unique and unparalleled relationship with God. |
| Deut 18:15-18 | The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you... | Moses as the great prophet and leader foretelling Christ. |
| 2 Sam 7:9 | And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies...And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. | God makes His chosen servants great. |
| 1 Ki 3:13 | I will give you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no one among the kings shall be your equal all your days. | God granting greatness and recognition to leaders. |
| Psa 76:10 | Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; the remainder of wrath You will restrain. | God controls human hearts and actions. |
| Psa 84:11 | For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. | God is the source of all favor and honor. |
| Pro 3:4 | So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. | Wisdom leads to favor with God and people. |
| Pro 21:1 | The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will. | God's sovereignty over the hearts of rulers. |
| Isa 49:3 | He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” | God elevates and glorifies His chosen ones. |
| Jer 32:20 | who performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, as they are today, and in Israel and among mankind, and made a name for Yourself. | God's powerful acts in Egypt established His name. |
| Mal 4:4 | Remember the law of My servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. | Moses as God's esteemed servant, delivering His law. |
| Mt 11:11 | Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. | John the Baptist's divinely appointed greatness. |
| Lk 2:52 | And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. | Jesus also experienced favor from God and men. |
| Act 2:47 | praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. | Early Church found favor with people. |
| Act 7:10 | and rescued him out of all his afflictions and granted him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt... | Joseph's experience of divine favor with Pharaoh. |
| Act 7:22 | And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. | Moses' early education and power prior to Exodus. |
| Act 7:35-36 | “This Moses, whom they rejected...this man God sent...This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea..." | Moses' leadership confirmed by signs and wonders. |
| Heb 3:1-6 | Moses was faithful in all God's house... | Comparison of Moses' faithfulness to Christ's. |
Exodus 11 verses
Exodus 11 3 Meaning
Exodus 11:3 indicates a profound shift in the perception and standing of both the Israelite people and their leader, Moses, in the land of Egypt just before the final plague. Through divine intervention, the LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably upon the Israelites, while Moses himself had attained an extraordinary level of prestige, acknowledged by all, from Pharaoh’s closest officials to the common populace. This dual manifestation of favor and greatness served to prepare the way for the Israelites’ successful departure and the plundering of their former masters, aligning with God's earlier promises.
Exodus 11 3 Context
Exodus 11:3 sets the stage for the climactic tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, and the subsequent hurried exodus of the Israelites. Preceding this verse, Pharaoh has steadfastly refused to let Israel go, hardening his heart despite nine devastating plagues. Chapter 11 describes Moses' final encounter with Pharaoh, announcing the imminent and irreversible judgment that will utterly break Pharaoh's resistance. In this tense atmosphere, verse 3 provides crucial background, explaining how the Egyptians, previously antagonistic, came to hold a measure of respect or awe for the Israelites and especially for Moses. This altered perception enabled the Israelites to later "plunder" the Egyptians by "asking" for articles of silver, gold, and clothing (Ex 12:35-36), fulfilling a divine promise (Ex 3:21-22; Gen 15:14). Historically and culturally, the verse highlights Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over human hearts, including that of Pharaoh and his people. It's a direct challenge and polemic against the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's supposed divine authority, showing that even in their own land, the God of the Hebrews held sway over their very perceptions and will.
Exodus 11 3 Word analysis
And the LORD (וַיִּתֵּן יְהוָה - wa-yitten YHVH): Emphasizes divine agency. The act of giving favor is solely from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This is not due to Israel's merit or Moses' charisma alone, but God's direct work. It reinforces His sovereignty over all creation, including human hearts.
gave the people favor (אֶת־חֵן בְּעֵינֵי הַמִּצְרִים - et-chen b'einei ha-Mitsrim): The Hebrew chen (חֵן) means grace or favor. "Giving favor" (nātan chen) indicates divine enablement, leading others to look favorably upon someone. It is a divine endowment that cultivates good relationships or, as here, secures cooperation even from adversaries, crucial for the forthcoming departure. This signifies a supernatural change in the Egyptians' attitude towards a people they once despised and enslaved.
in the sight of the Egyptians (בְּעֵינֵי הַמִּצְרִים - b'einei ha-Mitsrim): Denotes open and clear observation and perception. The Egyptians themselves witnessed and acknowledged this shift. It was a visible manifestation of God's power influencing their judgment.
Moreover (וְגַם - ve-gam): An emphatic conjunction ("and also," "even") that adds an additional, complementary point. It highlights that beyond the general populace of Israel, Moses himself, as the leader, held an exceptional status.
the man Moses (וְהָאִישׁ מֹשֶׁה - veha'ish Moshe): This phrase emphasizes Moses' humanity and that he was a physical person. Yet, paradoxically, it sets the stage for God's extraordinary power to be manifested through this human agent, making his achievements even more remarkable as they are clearly God's work.
was very great (גָּדוֹל מְאֹד - gadol me'od): Gadol (גָּדוֹל) means great, large, significant, mighty; me'od (מְאֹד) means very, exceedingly. This phrase refers to Moses' extraordinary reputation, authority, and influence throughout Egypt. This "greatness" is not born of self-promotion or military conquest but from God's continuous and awe-inspiring display of power through him. He stood in stark contrast to Pharaoh, whose power was dwindling.
in the land of Egypt (בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם - b'eretz Mitsrayim): Implies the reach of his reputation spanned the entire nation, from border to border, showing the comprehensive impact of God's plagues and Moses' divinely empowered authority.
in the sight of Pharaoh's servants (בְּעֵינֵי עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה - b'einei avdei Phar'oh): The most significant group. Pharaoh's servants, his closest advisors and officials, were those who directly witnessed Pharaoh's stubbornness and the consequences of the plagues. Their recognition of Moses' greatness is particularly impactful as they were typically aligned with Pharaoh and hostile towards the Hebrews. Their acknowledgment speaks to the undeniable divine power at work.
and in the sight of the people (וּבְעֵינֵי הָעָם - u'b'einei ha-'am): This phrase completes the universal acknowledgment of Moses' prestige. It signifies that the entire population, from the highest officials to the common Egyptian, had to concede Moses' profound power and significance.
"gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great": This phrase-grouping highlights God's two-fold work. He directly influences the common populace's perception of Israel as a whole, preparing for their peaceful departure. Simultaneously, He elevates Moses, His chosen instrument, establishing his unparalleled authority and divine vindication in the eyes of everyone, even Pharaoh’s own court, whose fear and respect are undeniable after nine devastating plagues.
Exodus 11 3 Bonus section
- Divine Orchestration of Wealth Transfer: This verse implicitly connects to God's plan for the "plundering of Egypt" (Ex 3:21-22; 12:35-36). The favor granted by the LORD to His people among the Egyptians was the necessary supernatural enablement for them to "ask" for and receive valuables, effectively ensuring the former slaves departed with immense wealth, fulfilling an ancient promise (Gen 15:14). This was divine recompense for centuries of forced labor.
- Polemic against Pharaoh's Divinity: The "greatness" of Moses in Egypt directly challenged Pharaoh's claims to divinity and supreme authority. Pharaoh, initially rejecting Moses and the LORD, witnesses his own power and the reverence of his subjects transferred to this foreign "man." It demonstrates Yahweh's ultimate supremacy over all Egyptian gods and their earthly representatives.
- Prophetic Sign of Authority: The public acknowledgment of Moses' greatness validated his status as God's true prophet. This unquestionable authority ensured that Pharaoh and his servants truly understood the gravity of Moses' final warning regarding the death of the firstborn (Ex 11:4-6), even if they chose to continue in rebellion.
Exodus 11 3 Commentary
Exodus 11:3 stands as a pivotal testament to Yahweh’s sovereign control over circumstances and hearts, even those hostile to His purposes. It succinctly summarizes the radical shift in power dynamics within Egypt. The LORD Himself actively ensured that His people, previously mere slaves, gained significant favor with their oppressors. This divinely-implanted goodwill directly enabled the Israelites to secure "spoils" before their departure, fulfilling God’s prior promises to Abraham and Moses. Furthermore, the verse underscores Moses' unique standing; his "greatness" was not a self-proclaimed status but a divinely bestowed authority, acknowledged by all echelons of Egyptian society. This was crucial for validating his prophetic claims and commands, especially in the immediate context of announcing the final, most devastating plague. Moses, initially an insecure shepherd, became an unrivaled figure, a clear demonstration that God powerfully vindicates those He chooses to serve His plans, proving His supremacy over Pharaoh and the entire Egyptian pantheon. The verse reveals God orchestrating events such that His chosen people depart not as fugitives, but with honor and resources, while His messenger receives undeniable veneration, culminating the process of humbling Egyptian pride.