Exodus 3 3

Exodus 3:3 kjv

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

Exodus 3:3 nkjv

Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn."

Exodus 3:3 niv

So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight?why the bush does not burn up."

Exodus 3:3 esv

And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned."

Exodus 3:3 nlt

"This is amazing," Moses said to himself. "Why isn't that bush burning up? I must go see it."

Exodus 3 verses

Exodus 3 3 Meaning

Exodus 3:3 describes Moses' response to the miraculous sight of a burning bush that was not consumed. He resolves to investigate this extraordinary phenomenon, expressing his curiosity about why the fire did not destroy the bush. This moment marks a pivotal turning point, signifying Moses' active attention and intentional readiness to encounter the divine. His decision to "turn aside" indicates a deliberate act of seeking to understand the inexplicable, which immediately precedes God's direct revelation and call.

Exodus 3 3 Context

Exodus chapter 3 details the transformative event of God appearing to Moses at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses had been tending sheep for his father-in-law Jethro in the wilderness for 40 years, having fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian (Ex 2:11-15). During this period, he transitioned from a prince to a humble shepherd, stripped of his previous identity and influence. Verse 3 occurs immediately after God, through an angel, appears to Moses "in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush" (Ex 3:2). This miraculous sight, a bush burning yet not consumed, arrests Moses' attention in his daily routine. His response in verse 3 is the direct prelude to God speaking to him and commissioning him to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, highlighting that Moses' initiative in turning aside was noticed by God, prompting the direct encounter (Ex 3:4). The historical context places this event within Moses' silent, isolated wilderness years, preparing him for the weighty task ahead.

Exodus 3 3 Word analysis

• I will now turn aside (אָסֻרָה נָּא - asurah na): This phrase conveys Moses' deliberate, conscious decision to deviate from his path and routine. The Hebrew verb sur (סוּר) means to turn aside, depart, or move away. It signifies an intentional re-direction of his attention and physical movement towards the phenomenon. The particle na (נָא) adds an element of immediacy, earnestness, or mild plea/exhortation, implying a firm internal resolution. This act of "turning aside" is paramount; it represents a heart posture of attentiveness and openness, crucial for receiving divine revelation. It distinguishes Moses from one who would simply glance and continue on.

• and see (וְאֶרְאֶה - ve'er'eh): More than merely observing with his eyes, this Hebrew term (ra'ah - רָאָה) encompasses a deeper meaning of perceiving, understanding, and experiencing. It implies an intent to comprehend the nature and significance of what he beholds. This seeing is not passive but leads to an active engagement with the reality of the sight. It is a quest for knowledge driven by profound curiosity.

• this great sight (אֶת־הַמַּרְאֶה הַגָּדֹל הַזֶּה - et-ha-mareh ha-gadol ha-zeh):

  • "great" (gadol - גָּדוֹל): This adjective emphasizes the extraordinary, astounding, and unnatural nature of what Moses saw. It signifies that this was not a common or mundane event but one of profound significance, demanding attention and conveying a sense of awe.
  • "sight" (mareh - מַרְאֶה): Derived from the root ra'ah (to see), mareh refers to an appearance, vision, or spectacle. It implies something divinely manifested or revealed, indicating that the bush was a means of revelation rather than merely a natural object. It conveys a strong sense of a visual manifestation that held a deeper, non-physical reality.

• why the bush does not burn (מַדּוּעַ לֹא־יִבְעַר הַסְּנֶה - maddu'a lo-yiv'ar ha-sneh): This is the core paradox that compels Moses' attention.

  • "why" (maddu'a - מַדּוּעַ): This interrogative adverb denotes deep curiosity and a rational inquiry into the cause of the anomaly. Moses' question is not born of skepticism but genuine wonder and a desire for explanation. It highlights the divine challenge to natural laws.
  • "bush" (sneh - סְנֶה): Refers to a thorny, prickly shrub common in the desert. Its ordinary nature contrasts sharply with the extraordinary fire, emphasizing that God chose a humble, insignificant medium for His profound manifestation. The choice of a common bush underscores that God can reveal Himself anywhere, not just in grand temples.
  • "does not burn" (lo-yiv'ar - לֹא־יִבְעַר): This negation of the verb ba'ar (בָּעַר - to burn, consume, devour) is central. Fire's natural property is to consume and destroy. The fact that the fire was active yet not consuming the bush fundamentally defies natural law and points unmistakably to a supernatural, divine power. This miraculous preservation is key, signifying God's presence as both holy and un-destructive, capable of indwelling and sustaining without annihilating. It foreshadows God's preservation of Israel despite their trials.

Exodus 3 3 Bonus section

• The location of the encounter, Mount Horeb (Ex 3:1), is significant, later identified as the Mountain of God where the covenant and law would be given. This initial theophany at Horeb establishes its sacred nature.
• The non-consuming fire distinguishes the God of Israel from pagan deities of the ancient Near East, who were often associated with destructive fire (e.g., child sacrifice to Moloch). The Yahweh's fire, though holy, preserves.
• The event served as a personal 'epiphany' for Moses, stripping him of any residual self-reliance from his princely past and preparing him for divine dependence. His 40 years of quiet shepherding contrasted sharply with this dramatic, commissioning moment.
• Moses' proactive choice to turn aside illustrates a key principle for encountering God: He often reveals Himself to those who are attentive and willing to pause from their busyness to observe and inquire into His extraordinary works.
• The burning bush itself has become an enduring symbol for God's divine presence, particularly His unconsumed people who endure through trials by His sustaining power.

Exodus 3 3 Commentary

Exodus 3:3 captures a pivotal moment of human engagement with the divine. Moses, occupied with his daily duties as a shepherd, encountered an anomaly that broke the mundane. His response, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn," showcases a crucial aspect of encountering God: intentionality and humble curiosity. Moses did not passively observe or dismiss the wonder; he made a conscious decision to investigate. This act of "turning aside" from his normal path and preoccupation was noted by God, who then called out to him.

The significance lies in the paradox of the fire. Fire is often a symbol of God's holy, purifying, and even consuming presence (Deut 4:24, Heb 12:29). Yet, this fire, though active, did not destroy the bush. This demonstrates God's unique power, not only to manifest His glory but also to sustain and preserve in its midst. It symbolizes the endurance of God's chosen people, Israel, who would go through the "furnace of affliction" (Isa 48:10) in Egypt yet not be consumed. Similarly, believers endure trials by the preserving power of God, being refined rather than destroyed. The use of a humble desert bush emphasizes God's choice of ordinary means to display His extraordinary presence. Moses' question "why?" is a profound theological inquiry that opens the door to deeper revelation about the God who acts outside natural confines. It reminds us that often, a shift in attention, an openness to wonder, and a humble seeking are prerequisites for a divine encounter.