Exodus 6 11

Exodus 6:11 kjv

Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Exodus 6:11 nkjv

"Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel go out of his land."

Exodus 6:11 niv

"Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country."

Exodus 6:11 esv

"Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go out of his land."

Exodus 6:11 nlt

"Go back to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and tell him to let the people of Israel leave his country."

Exodus 6 verses

Exodus 6 11 Meaning

Exodus 6:11 presents God's reiterated command to Moses: "Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land." This verse follows Moses's discouragement and God's reaffirmation of His covenant and powerful plan. It signifies God's unwavering resolve and the divine persistence in His purpose of delivering Israel, despite Moses's doubts and the anticipated opposition from Pharaoh. It underscores that God's plan is not swayed by human reluctance or perceived obstacles.

Exodus 6 11 Context

Exodus 6:11 is deeply embedded within the narrative of God's unfolding plan to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. Immediately preceding this verse, Moses expresses his profound discouragement to God (Ex 5:22-23), questioning why God had sent him and pointing out that Pharaoh had only oppressed the Israelites further. In response, God reaffirms His covenant promises (Ex 6:1-8) and declares His intent to powerfully deliver Israel, reminding Moses of His identity as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. Despite God's mighty revelation and reassurance, Moses expresses doubt in Ex 6:12, stating that if "the sons of Israel" have not listened, how would Pharaoh, given Moses's "uncircumcised lips"? Thus, Ex 6:11 represents God's persistent re-issuing of the commission, demonstrating His unwavering will even when His chosen messenger falters and feels inadequate. The historical and cultural context is one of a great world power (Egypt) oppressing a marginalized people (Israel), against whom God asserts His supreme authority, establishing Himself as the one true sovereign. This verse indirectly carries polemic against the notion of Pharaoh's ultimate power or the might of the Egyptian deities, demonstrating Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy.

Exodus 6 11 Word analysis

• Then (vav-consecutive with imperfect): This connects the present command to the preceding divine revelation in Ex 6:1-9. It signifies a direct continuation or immediate consequence, even after Moses's earlier complaints and God's response.
• the LORD (YHWH, Yahweh): Refers to God's covenant name, emphasized just before this in Ex 6:3-7. It signifies the self-existent, covenant-keeping God who is active in history and reveals Himself uniquely to His people, not an unknown or generic deity. His personal and eternal commitment undergirds the command.
• spoke (dibber -piel imperfect of dabar): Denotes a powerful, intentional, and purposeful utterance. It's not a casual talk but a divine word with authority, intent on accomplishment.
• to Moses ('el-Mosheh): Moses is God's designated human agent, the specific recipient of this critical command and the one uniquely burdened with its execution. This highlights Moses's mediator role.
• saying (le'mor - infinitive construct of 'amar): Introduces direct speech, indicating the precise words God commanded. This phrase sets off a direct quote of God's imperative, underscoring the divine source of the message.
• Go in (bo' - imperative of bo'): A strong, immediate command for physical and purposeful action. It implies entering a specific place, likely Pharaoh's presence, signifying a direct confrontation.
• tell (dibber - piel imperative of dabar): This repetition of dabar underscores the central function of the messenger: to convey God's explicit and authoritative word. It's a declarative command, an unambiguous statement.
• Pharaoh (Par'oh): The ruling king of Egypt, the direct human antagonist in this narrative. His title "Pharaoh" highlights his immense earthly power and status as a divine-like figure in Egyptian theology, directly contrasted with Yahweh's authority.
• king of Egypt (melekh Mitzrayim): Defines Pharaoh's specific domain and temporal power. This detail accentuates the challenge of God's command, as it targets the most powerful earthly ruler of the era in his own kingdom.
• that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. (viy-shalach 'et-bnei Yisra'el mei'artzo): This is the ultimate, non-negotiable objective of God's command. "Sons of Israel" identifies them as God's chosen covenant people. "Let them go" is the act of liberation required. "Out of his land" establishes God's demand for complete freedom, demonstrating His power to reclaim what is His. The phrasing signifies the core divine purpose and the central theme of the Exodus.

Exodus 6 11 Bonus section

The seemingly repetitive nature of this verse, following a similar command in Exodus 6:10 and Moses's subsequent lament, underscores a significant theological point: God's steadfastness and patience with His servant. It highlights divine reiteration and reassurance in the face of human doubt and resistance. The very act of God repeating the instruction, despite Moses's clear hesitations (which manifest fully in Ex 6:12), showcases God's commitment to His word and His choice of Moses as His unique mouthpiece. This reinforces the principle that God often provides repeated guidance or opportunities when faced with our struggles to understand or obey. It also serves to impress upon Moses—and by extension, the reader—the gravity and certainty of the divine mission. This repetition also emphasizes the theme of conflict between God's will and Pharaoh's will, which is central to the plagues narrative, signifying that God's command will inevitably clash with human arrogance.

Exodus 6 11 Commentary

Exodus 6:11, though brief, encapsulates God's unwavering resolve and the core conflict of the Exodus narrative. It immediately follows a moment of crisis where Moses, discouraged by intensified oppression, doubted his mission. In response, God does not relent; instead, He reiterates the exact command previously given (Ex 6:10), emphasizing His divine persistence despite human weakness and formidable opposition. This repetition highlights that God's purpose for Israel's liberation is absolute and His word stands, regardless of the perceived obstacles or the instrument's (Moses's) misgivings. God's directive to "tell Pharaoh king of Egypt" underscores the direct confrontation between Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty and the earthly power of Egypt, which saw Pharaoh as a god. The entire mission rests on God's divine utterance and empowerment, rather than on Moses's ability or eloquence. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that God’s plans are enacted by His command and power, not by human will alone. It reveals God’s steadfast faithfulness to His covenant promises and His intention to perform great acts of judgment against His enemies and redemption for His people.