Exodus 3 12

Exodus 3:12 kjv

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.

Exodus 3:12 nkjv

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."

Exodus 3:12 niv

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."

Exodus 3:12 esv

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."

Exodus 3:12 nlt

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."

Exodus 3 verses

Exodus 3 12 Meaning

Exodus 3:12 conveys God’s foundational assurance to Moses. It begins by addressing Moses’ initial doubt about his ability to lead, promising divine, unwavering presence and support throughout the monumental task ahead. This presence itself is designated as the true "token" or "sign," but this sign will not be immediately apparent; rather, its confirmation will manifest upon the successful completion of the primary mission. The ultimate purpose of their liberation from Egypt is revealed to be worship and covenant on the very mountain where Moses receives his commission, emphasizing that deliverance is not an end in itself but a means to establishing a relationship of service and obedience to God.

Exodus 3 12 Context

Exodus 3:12 occurs immediately after Moses' famous "Who am I?" (Exod 3:11) response to God's commission for him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses is at Mount Horeb (Sinai), tending Jethro's flock when he encounters the burning bush, an unprecedented divine manifestation. God has declared His awareness of Israel's suffering and His intent to deliver them, explicitly commissioning Moses for this formidable task. In response to Moses' feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness for such a calling—a humble, self-deprecating perspective likely stemming from his past as a fugitive shepherd—God provides a twofold assurance. The verse sets the foundation for God's constant support, addressing Moses' fears with a promise that will empower his mission and establish the divine authenticity of his leadership in the eyes of the people and even Pharaoh. Historically, this promise is given within a polytheistic environment, contrasting sharply with the notion of a single God actively intervening in human history and guiding His chosen people towards exclusive worship of Him on His sacred mountain, standing in implicit polemic against the numerous local and Egyptian deities who offered no such personal promise or national deliverance.

Exodus 3 12 Word analysis

• And he said (וַיֹּאמֶר֙ - vayyo'mer): A direct response from the divine presence to Moses' question. It emphasizes God's direct and authoritative communication, signifying an immediate divine address to Moses’ reluctance.
• Certainly I will be with thee (כִּי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ - ki ehyeh 'immakh):
  • Certainly (כִּי - ki): Functions emphatically here, conveying a strong affirmation: "Indeed," "Surely," or "Truly." It dismisses any doubt regarding the promise.
  • I will be (אֶהְיֶה - ehyeh): Future tense of the verb "to be" (hayah), signifying active, enduring, and self-existent presence. It directly connects to God's self-revelation as "I AM" or "I WILL BE" (Exod 3:14), underpinning the promise with His very essence and unchanging character. It assures Moses that God's being will be continuously involved in and support his mission.
  • with thee (עִמָּךְ - 'immakh): Denotes a deep, personal, and supportive relationship. It means more than just being near; it implies active solidarity, protection, and provision in the face of all challenges, addressing Moses’ personal feelings of isolation and inadequacy.
• and this shall be a token unto thee (וְזֶה־לְּךָ הָאֽוֹת - vezeh-lekha ha'ot):
  • this (וְזֶה - vezeh): Refers specifically to the future event of the Israelites serving God on this mountain.
  • token/sign (הָאֽוֹת - ha'ot): A divine assurance, a corroboration. Unlike typical immediate signs asked by Moses later (Exod 4:1-9) or seen in the burning bush, this "token" is future-oriented, serving as a confirmation after the fulfillment of the mission. It functions not to induce belief at the outset but to validate the divine source of the entire undertaking once successfully completed. It's a guarantee of ultimate success.
• that I have sent thee (כִּי אָנֹכִי שְׁלַחְתִּֽיךָ - ki anokhi shelakhtikha):
  • that (כִּי - ki): Introduces the purpose or substance of the sign.
  • I (אָנֹכִי - anokhi): Emphatic first-person singular pronoun. Highlights that it is God Himself, the ultimate authority, who initiated and validated Moses' sending. This contrasts with Moses’ self-perception of unworthiness.
  • have sent thee (שְׁלַחְתִּֽיךָ - shelakhtikha): Perfect tense verb, implying a completed action. It underscores that Moses' commission is already established by God, not contingent on Moses' present abilities but on God's sovereign choice.
• When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt (בְּהוֹצִֽיאֲךָ אֶת־הָעָם֙ מִמִּצְרַיִם - behotzi'akha et-ha'am mimitzrayim):
  • When thou hast brought forth (בְּהוֹצִֽיאֲךָ - behotzi'akha): Infinitive construct functioning as an adverbial clause, "in your bringing out." It denotes Moses' instrumental role in the Exodus.
  • the people (ha'am): Refers specifically to the nation of Israel, designated as God’s own people (Exod 3:7, 7:16).
  • out of Egypt (mimitzrayim): The place of their intense servitude and suffering, from which God promises liberation.
• ye shall serve God upon this mountain (תַּעַבְדוּן אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים֙ עַל הָהָר הַזֶּה - ta'avdun et-ha'Elohim 'al hahar hazzeh):
  • ye shall serve (תַּעַבְדוּן - ta'avdun): Significant shift to the second-person plural, encompassing the entire nation of Israel. The Hebrew word 'avad implies not merely ritual worship, but service, obedience, and loyal devotion in all aspects of life, characteristic of the covenant relationship.
  • God (ha'Elohim): The general divine title used here, underscoring the universal sovereignty of the God who is commissioning Moses and will liberate Israel.
  • upon this mountain ('al hahar hazzeh): Refers to Horeb (Sinai), where Moses is currently located. It specifies the intended destination and purpose. This mountain is not merely a geographic location but the consecrated site for theophany, covenant establishment (Law), and corporate worship for the liberated nation, thereby giving meaning and ultimate purpose to the Exodus event.

• Words-Group Analysis:
• "Certainly I will be with thee": This core phrase provides absolute assurance to a hesitant leader. It implies divine empowerment, not merely passive observation. It's the antidote to human inadequacy, emphasizing that the success of the mission rests on God's presence, not Moses' personal strength.
• "and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee": The "sign" is unique; it's a retroactive validation. God gives Moses the promise of success as a sign, confirming His initial commission not before or during the arduous task, but after the deliverance is accomplished and the goal reached. This emphasizes trust in the divine sender through the process, rather than demanding an immediate proof.
• "When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain": This part links the liberation from bondage directly to its ultimate spiritual purpose. Freedom from oppression is intrinsically tied to freedom for devoted worship and covenant relationship. The entire Exodus is revealed not as an end in itself (mere physical liberty), but as a journey to a divine encounter and service to God at Sinai, forming a nation dedicated to Him. This foundational principle defines Israel's identity.

Exodus 3 12 Bonus section

• The divine promise "I will be with you" becomes a recurrent covenant formula throughout the Bible, foundational for leaders like Joshua, Jeremiah, and eventually, the assurance given to the church through Christ, emphasizing that God never abandons His chosen servants.
• The concept of the "sign" in Exod 3:12 differs significantly from Moses' subsequent requests for signs to authenticate his message (Exod 4). Here, the sign serves as future confirmation, presupposing Moses' obedience and God's faithfulness, reinforcing trust rather than generating it from scratch.
• The emphasis on serving God ('avad Elohim) defines the ultimate freedom offered by God. True liberty is not merely political independence, but the capacity to worship and obey the One True God, a liberation from bondage to human masters to consecrated service of the divine Master.
• Mount Horeb, also known as Sinai, is depicted as God's chosen dwelling place for the giving of the Law and the establishment of the covenant, solidifying its position as a central geographical and spiritual landmark in Israel's history. The people coming to this specific mountain indicates the sovereign specificity of God's plan.

Exodus 3 12 Commentary

Exodus 3:12 encapsulates the heart of God’s call to Moses and His larger redemptive plan. Facing Moses' legitimate human anxieties ("Who am I?"), God responds not with a detailed strategy, but with His very essence: "I will be with you." This is the most profound assurance any servant of God can receive, emphasizing divine presence as the sole guarantee of success, a theme echoing throughout the Scriptures for all those commissioned by God. The "token" given is unique: it’s not an immediate, pre-mission miracle but a future-oriented validation of the completed work—the corporate worship of Israel on Mount Horeb. This necessitates faith from Moses, who must embark on the task without initial outward proof, relying solely on God’s promise. Ultimately, the verse reveals that the Exodus is not merely an escape from Egyptian tyranny, but a purposeful deliverance into a covenant relationship of service and worship with God on the sacred mountain. Freedom is given for the purpose of serving the Liberator, highlighting God’s desire for intimacy and obedience as the fulfillment of His salvific work.