Exodus 3 20

Exodus 3:20 kjv

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.

Exodus 3:20 nkjv

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.

Exodus 3:20 niv

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.

Exodus 3:20 esv

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.

Exodus 3:20 nlt

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.

Exodus 3 verses

Exodus 3 20 Meaning

Exodus 3:20 conveys God's unwavering resolve and absolute sovereignty in delivering Israel from Egyptian bondage. It declares that the Lord Himself will directly intervene with mighty power, inflicting numerous miraculous judgments (wonders) upon Egypt. These divine acts will compel Pharaoh, against his will, to release the Israelites. The verse highlights God's active role, His unparalleled power, and the certainty of His promised deliverance.

Exodus 3 20 Context

Exodus chapter 3 details God's initial revelation to Moses at the burning bush in Midian. After centuries of bondage, the Lord hears the cries of the Israelites in Egypt (Ex 3:7) and commissions Moses to lead them out. Moses expresses significant doubts and questions (Ex 3:11, 13). In response, God assures Moses of His presence and intervention, declaring His name "I AM WHO I AM" (Ex 3:14). Exodus 3:20 is part of God's explicit declaration of how He will achieve Israel's liberation. He details that He, not Moses or any human force, will execute a mighty display of power to overcome Pharaoh's resistance. This verse serves as a crucial prophecy that undergirds Moses's mission, assuring him of divine assistance and the guaranteed outcome of Israel's freedom, regardless of Pharaoh's hardened heart mentioned subsequently in the chapter (Ex 3:19). The broader context of Exodus sets the stage for the narrative of the ten plagues and the eventual Red Sea crossing, demonstrating God's covenant faithfulness and sovereign power over all earthly powers and deities, a direct polemic against the perceived might and polytheism of Egypt.

Exodus 3 20 Word analysis

• And I will stretch out: (Hebrew: וְשָׁלַחְתִּי, v'shalachti) This signifies a deliberate, powerful, and decisive action by God. It implies an extension of authority and ability to act remotely or with direct, encompassing force. The verb "to send" or "stretch out" when applied to God's hand, signifies the initiation of divine action and the exertion of power.

• My hand: (Hebrew: יָדִי, yadi) The "hand of God" is a common biblical anthropomorphism representing God's power, authority, presence, intervention, and often, His judgment or strength in action. It conveys a personal and direct engagement, ensuring that the acts are unambiguously His. This metaphor highlights God's active control and effective force.

• and strike: (Hebrew: וְהִכֵּיתִי, v'hikkeiti) This verb means "to strike," "to smite," "to hit," or "to kill." In this context, it refers to a forceful and devastating blow, precisely foreshadowing the plagues that will afflict Egypt, bringing both affliction and ultimately, destruction to various aspects of their society and even their gods.

• Egypt: (Hebrew: מִצְרַיִם, Mitzrayim) Refers to the nation and empire that held Israel in slavery. Egypt represents a powerful, idolatrous world system opposed to God's people and His will. God's act of striking Egypt is a display of His power over earthly kingdoms and their false deities.

• with all My wonders: (Hebrew: בְּכָל־נִפְלְאֹתַי, b'khol-nifla'otai) "Wonders" (nifla'ot) implies acts that are extraordinary, miraculous, astonishing, and beyond human capability or natural explanation. They are specifically designated as "My" wonders, emphasizing their divine origin. These acts serve as signs to authenticate God's presence, power, and message, discrediting Egypt's gods and validating Yahweh's supremacy.

• which I will do: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר אֶעֱשֶׂה, asher e'eseh) This phrase stresses God's direct agency and intentionality. It is not something that will happen by chance or through human ingenuity, but through God's deliberate execution. It signifies God's complete control over the impending events.

• in its midst: (Hebrew: בְּקִרְבּוֹ, b'kirbo) "In its very center," or "among them." This signifies that the wonders will be visibly and undeniably manifested within Egyptian territory and society, affecting the Egyptians directly. This public and inescapable display ensures the widespread recognition of God's power.

• and after that: (Hebrew: וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן, v'acharei-khen) This denotes a consequential and temporal sequence. The "striking" and "wonders" are not ends in themselves, but divinely purposed means to achieve the liberation. Pharaoh's ultimate action is a forced response to God's intervention, not a change of heart.

• he will let you go: (Hebrew: יְשַׁלַּח אֶתְכֶם, yeshalach etchem) "He will send you out/away." This is the core objective. Despite Pharaoh's resistance (mentioned in Ex 3:19), God declares that His acts will compel Pharaoh to release Israel, signifying the certainty and inevitability of Israel's freedom through God's power.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt": This phrase succinctly declares God's imminent and forceful judgment upon the oppressing nation. It embodies divine power and wrath directed at the source of Israel's suffering. The anthropomorphic "hand" makes God's action relatable yet powerfully conveys omnipotence.
  • "with all My wonders which I will do in its midst": This specifies the nature and location of God's judgment. The "wonders" are extraordinary demonstrations of God's unique power, occurring directly within Egypt. This indicates that God's acts are not covert but public, comprehensive, and undeniable evidence of His supremacy over all rival claims, whether from human kings or false deities.
  • "and after that he will let you go": This states the guaranteed outcome. God's powerful actions will break Pharaoh's will and bring about the promised liberation. It highlights God's unfailing commitment to His covenant people and His ability to compel even the most obstinate heart to fulfill His purposes.

Exodus 3 20 Bonus section

The "wonders" mentioned in Ex 3:20 serve a dual purpose throughout the Exodus narrative: to redeem Israel from bondage and to bring judgment upon Egypt, simultaneously demonstrating God's identity and power to both peoples (Ex 7:5; 9:16; 14:4, 18). Pharaoh's predicted resistance (implied by the necessity of "striking Egypt") is further detailed in the previous verse (Ex 3:19), stating Pharaoh will "not let you go unless a strong hand compels him." This highlights the human stubbornness that necessitates divine omnipotence. The Exodus event, initiated by the "strong hand," becomes the paradigmatic act of salvation in the Old Testament, frequently recalled as the ultimate proof of God's covenant faithfulness and redemptive power for generations to come (e.g., in the Passover commemoration, the Ten Commandments, and various Psalms). It typologically prefigures the greater spiritual redemption from sin through Jesus Christ.

Exodus 3 20 Commentary

Exodus 3:20 stands as a foundational promise of God's active and decisive intervention for His people. It reveals divine sovereignty that transcends human resistance and global powers. God explicitly states that the Exodus will not be a diplomatic victory or a result of human strength, but a direct act of His "stretched out hand." This expression universally signifies divine might and authority, a theme consistently repeated throughout the Old Testament in connection with Israel's deliverance from Egypt. The "wonders" are more than just powerful deeds; they are revelations of God's unique character and power, serving to discredit the entire pantheon of Egyptian gods, thereby demonstrating that the Lord Yahweh alone is the true God. Each plague was, in essence, an assault on a specific Egyptian deity or aspect of their perceived divine order. This powerful and public display ensures that both Israel and Egypt would know and acknowledge the Lord (Ex 7:5). Pharaoh's eventual release of Israel is portrayed not as a voluntary concession but as an inevitable consequence of God's overwhelming might. Thus, this verse establishes the blueprint for God's redemption of Israel: powerful, supernatural intervention leading to undeniable liberation, proving His faithfulness and supremacy.