Exodus 3 9

Exodus 3:9 kjv

Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

Exodus 3:9 nkjv

Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.

Exodus 3:9 niv

And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.

Exodus 3:9 esv

And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.

Exodus 3:9 nlt

Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them.

Exodus 3 verses

Exodus 3 9 Meaning

Exodus chapter 3, verse 9 conveys God's deep and personal awareness of the severe plight of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt. It emphasizes that their cries of distress have reached Him directly, and He has comprehensively observed the brutal and persistent oppression inflicted upon them by the Egyptians. This verse serves as God's solemn declaration to Moses that He has not merely received a general report but has intimately heard and seen their suffering, confirming His readiness to intervene.

Exodus 3 9 Context

Exodus 3:9 is situated within the foundational narrative of God's encounter with Moses at the burning bush on Mount Horeb. Preceding this verse, God has already stated His direct observation of Israel's affliction and His knowledge of their sorrows (Exo 3:7). Verse 9 reinforces this divine awareness, particularly emphasizing the audible cry of the Israelites reaching God, and His comprehensive sight of the oppression. This declaration to Moses is crucial as it underpins God's subsequent command for Moses to deliver His people, setting the stage for the Exodus. Historically, the Israelites had endured centuries of slavery under the tyrannical rule of various pharaohs in Egypt, marked by increasingly harsh labor, humiliation, and even infanticide (Exo 1). The verse confirms that despite the long period of silence, God was fully attuned to their suffering.

Exodus 3 9 Word analysis

• Now therefore: Connects God's past observations (Exo 3:7-8) to the immediate declaration of intervention. It signals a logical consequence: because He has seen and heard, action will follow.
• behold: (Hebrew: hinneh) An interjection drawing attention, conveying urgency and certainty. It emphasizes the truth and directness of God's following statements, urging Moses to pay close heed.
• the cry: (Hebrew: tse'aqah) More than just a sound; it signifies a distress call, an appeal for help arising from violence, injustice, or intense suffering. It implies a situation so unbearable that it demands divine intervention, almost like a legal complaint. God is hearing their plea for justice.
• of the children of Israel: Identifies the specific oppressed people as God's chosen, covenant nation, highlighting His relationship with them despite their slavery.
• is come unto me: Anthropomorphic language conveying direct divine attentiveness and accessibility. God is not distant or uncaring; their suffering has penetrated His awareness directly, as if physically reaching Him.
• and I have also seen: (Hebrew: gam ra'iti) "Also" emphasizes a parallel and equally strong divine perception. "Seen" confirms God's full knowledge of the visual evidence of their suffering. This reiterates the point made in Exo 3:7 for emphasis.
• the oppression: (Hebrew: lachatz) Describes the actual pressure, affliction, and burden. It's the tangible, cruel reality of their slavery – forced labor, harsh conditions, loss of freedom. It points to systematic injustice.
• wherewith the Egyptians oppress them: Clearly identifies the perpetrators of the injustice. The repetition of the root word for "oppress" (lachatz) intensifies the gravity of the situation and underscores the sustained, relentless nature of the suffering. It's not a singular event but an ongoing state of torment.

Words-group by words-group analysis data:

• "Now therefore, behold, the cry...is come unto me": This phrase emphasizes divine initiative and attentiveness. The "cry" is active; it has ascended and reached God's ears, indicating a direct communication from humanity's suffering to the divine throne. This negates any idea of a distant, uncaring deity.
• "and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them": This parallel statement adds layers to God's awareness. Not only does He hear the plea, but He sees the detailed reality of the affliction. The explicit mention of "Egyptians" as the oppressors reinforces the injustice, establishing a clear victim and aggressor, which will guide God's redemptive plan. The repetition of "oppress" (from the root lachatz) heightens the severity and pervasive nature of the suffering, stressing that their entire existence was burdened by this heavy hand. This contrasts sharply with the passive and indifferent Egyptian deities.

Exodus 3 9 Bonus section

• Divine Initiative: This verse highlights God's unsolicited awareness. The Israelites didn't formally appeal for deliverance in their darkest moments; God Himself took the initiative to acknowledge and declare their plight, underscoring His grace and pre-emptive intervention.
• Contrast with Pagan Deities: Implicitly, this verse challenges the religious norms of ancient Egypt, where gods were often portrayed as detached or requiring elaborate rituals to be appeased. Yahweh, in stark contrast, is intimately involved in the suffering of His people and is driven by compassion and justice to act. Pharaoh, often seen as a divine figure, is directly challenged by a God who champions the very people Pharaoh oppresses.
• Foundation for Social Justice: The biblical concept of God hearing the cry of the oppressed and acting upon it serves as a foundational principle for social justice throughout Scripture. It is a call for God's people to likewise have eyes that see and ears that hear the cries of the afflicted in their own time and to act as instruments of His justice.

Exodus 3 9 Commentary

Exodus 3:9 stands as a pivotal declaration of God's character and His response to human suffering. It is not merely a statement of fact but a profound theological assertion. God reveals Himself not as an aloof cosmic ruler but as a deeply personal and attentive Lord who hears the silent cries of His people and clearly sees their pain. The deliberate dual emphasis on "hearing" the tse'aqah (cry of distress and injustice) and "seeing" the lachatz (physical oppression) confirms His comprehensive knowledge of the Israelites' condition. This divine perception is the direct catalyst for His redemptive action. The verse illustrates God's unswerving commitment to justice and His covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that He remembers His promises and will actively intervene against injustice and tyranny. It is a powerful affirmation that no cry of the oppressed goes unheard, and no act of oppression goes unseen, by the Almighty. For believers, it serves as an eternal promise of God's unwavering compassion and His active presence in the face of human tribulation.