Exodus 3 2

Exodus 3:2 kjv

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.

Exodus 3:2 nkjv

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.

Exodus 3:2 niv

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.

Exodus 3:2 esv

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.

Exodus 3:2 nlt

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.

Exodus 3 verses

Exodus 3 2 Meaning

Exodus 3:2 describes the profound divine manifestation to Moses, initiating his prophetic calling. The verse details the appearance of the Angel of the Lord within a fiery, unconsuming bush. This extraordinary event reveals God's active presence, His holy nature that both consumes and preserves, and His miraculous power that transcends natural laws, serving as a sign to Moses and signifying the imminent redemption of Israel.

Exodus 3 2 Context

Moses, at this point, has been a shepherd in Midian for forty years, having fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian overseer (Exo 2:11-15). He is no longer the prince of Egypt but a humble exile, seemingly forgotten. He is tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, having assimilated into a simpler life. This encounter at Horeb (Mount Sinai) is pivotal, shifting Moses's life trajectory from a refugee to God's chosen deliverer. Historically, the Israelites are groaning under Egyptian slavery (Exo 2:23-25). This divine revelation serves as God's answer to their cries, initiated through a common man in an extraordinary manner, countering any belief that God was absent or powerless in the face of Egypt's might or that pagan deities held ultimate sway. The setting in the wilderness, away from civilization, emphasizes that God reveals Himself where and to whom He chooses, not just in temples or grand settings.

Exodus 3 2 Word analysis

• There the angel of the Lord appeared to him:

  • There: Indicates a specific location, Mount Horeb, also known as Sinai (Exo 3:1), emphasizing that God's presence is tied to a particular place.
  • angel of the Lord: Hebrew malak YHWH (מלאך יהוה). This is a unique designation in the Old Testament, often interpreted as a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ) or a very specific, direct manifestation of God Himself. The interchangeability in the narrative (the "angel" speaks in first person as God in verse 6, and is identified as "the Lord" in verse 4) strongly supports its divine identity, distinct from created angels. This emphasizes God's direct, personal intervention.
  • appeared: Hebrew wayyērā' (וַיֵּרָא), a Niphal (passive, often reflexive) form of ra'ah (to see). It means "caused himself to be seen" or "he was seen." This signifies divine initiative; God actively reveals Himself rather than Moses seeking Him out. It is a sovereign act of disclosure.
  • to him: Specifically Moses. This encounter is personal and marks the beginning of his transformation and commission.

• in a flame of fire from within a bush:

  • flame of fire: Hebrew lehav ēš (לֶהָב אֵשׁ). Fire is a primary biblical symbol for God's presence, holiness, power, purification, and judgment. It conveys brilliance, energy, and overwhelming might. The intensity of "flame" indicates a powerful, concentrated display.
  • from within: Emphasizes that the fire was not consuming the bush from the outside, but emanating from its very core, highlighting its supernatural origin and nature.
  • bush: Hebrew snah (סְנֶה). This refers to a common thornbush found in the Sinai desert. The choice of a humble, ordinary object for this extraordinary revelation underscores God's ability to manifest His glory through what is common or lowly. It also points to the paradoxical nature of the event: a grand display of power in a small, ignoble vessel.

• Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.

  • Moses saw that...: Implies observation and immediate recognition of the unnaturalness of the phenomenon. This sight arrests Moses's attention and prompts him to investigate.
  • on fire: Confirms the active presence of flames.
  • it did not burn up: Hebrew ēnennū 'ukāl (אֵינֶנּוּ אֻכָּל). This is the key miraculous element of the verse, the paradoxical nature of the fire. It demonstrates God's unique power and holiness: fire, usually an agent of consumption and destruction, here showcases divine preservation and sustains itself without fuel. It signifies a non-destructive holy presence, hinting at God's intent to deliver, not annihilate, His people, and perhaps His indwelling within the weak without consuming them. It defies the natural order, drawing immediate attention to a supernatural act.

Exodus 3 2 Bonus section

The specific "snah" bush (סנה) may carry additional layers of symbolism. Some scholars suggest its humbleness could foreshadow Israel's state as a lowly and oppressed people chosen by God. The unconsuming fire might therefore signify God's abiding presence with His people through their suffering in Egypt and subsequent wilderness journey, sustaining them rather than allowing them to be utterly destroyed by their trials or enemies. The revelation from a bush in the desert contrasts sharply with the magnificent, man-made temples where other ancient Near Eastern deities were believed to reside, emphasizing God's transcendence over all earthly constructs and human worship practices. He is the God of the open wilderness, accessible to the humble and outcast.

Exodus 3 2 Commentary

Exodus 3:2 encapsulates the miraculous initiation of Moses's divine call, presenting a powerful theophany that defied natural law. The appearance of the Angel of the Lord, God's self-manifestation, in an unconsumed fiery bush at Horeb is profoundly significant. The fire, a potent symbol of God's overwhelming holiness, power, and glory, usually consumes. Yet, its non-consuming nature here highlights God's supernatural power, demonstrating that He is above His creation and can indwell and operate without destroying. This paradoxical sight captivates Moses, drawing him closer to an encounter with the divine. The choice of a common, unassuming bush further underscores that God's glory is not limited to grand structures or mighty displays, but can reveal itself anywhere, through anything, elevating the mundane to sacred. This moment marks a fundamental shift, transforming a humble shepherd into an instrument for God's redemptive plan for Israel, reassuring that God's power would protect, not destroy, His chosen people even amidst the fire of trials.