Exodus 3:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Moshe said, "I'm going to go over and see this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn't being burned up."

Berean Standard Bible:

So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?”

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Moses^{H4872} said^{H559}, I will now turn aside^{H5493}, and see^{H7200} this great^{H1419} sight^{H4758}, why^{H4069} the bush^{H5572} is not burnt^{H1197}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 3:3

**Themes:**
Exodus 3:3 captures several key themes:

1. **Divine Encounter:** The verse describes a theophany, a visible manifestation of God, signifying a pivotal moment where the divine intersects with the human.
2. **Curiosity and Wonder:** Moses' decision to turn aside and investigate the burning bush reflects a sense of curiosity and wonder, which is often a precursor to a call to service or revelation in biblical narratives.
3. **Call to Mission:** This event is the beginning of Moses' call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, highlighting the theme of God's choice and the human response to divine calling.
4. **God's Protection:** The fact that the bush is not consumed by the fire symbolizes God's protection and presence, suggesting that what God touches is preserved and made holy.

**Historical Context:**
The historical context of Exodus 3:3 is set during the period of Israelite enslavement in Egypt. Moses, having fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian, is tending his father-in-law's flock in Midian when he encounters the burning bush. This event occurs on Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai), which is significant as the future site of God's covenant with the Israelites.

The verse reflects a time when the Israelites are oppressed and in need of deliverance. Moses, raised as an Egyptian prince but of Hebrew descent, is being prepared by God for a leadership role that will shape the identity and future of the Israelite nation. The encounter at the burning bush serves as a turning point in the narrative of the Exodus, marking the transition from Moses' life as a fugitive shepherd to that of a liberator and lawgiver.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5493
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סוּר
   Transliteration: çûwr
   Pronunciation: soor
   Description: or שׂוּר; (Hosea 9:12), a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative); be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1419
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּדוֹל
   Transliteration: gâdôwl
   Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
   Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4758
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַרְאֶה
   Transliteration: marʼeh
   Pronunciation: mar-eh'
   Description: from רָאָה; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a vision; [idiom] apparently, appearance(-reth), [idiom] as soon as beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight, visage, vision.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4069
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַדּוּעַ
   Transliteration: maddûwaʻ
   Pronunciation: mad-doo'-ah
   Description: or מַדֻּעַ; from מָה and the passive participle of יָדַע; what (is) known?; i.e. (by implication) (adverbially) why?; how, wherefore, why.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5572
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סְנֶה
   Transliteration: çᵉneh
   Pronunciation: sen-eh'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to prick; a bramble; bush.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1197
   There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּעַר
   Transliteration: bâʻar
   Pronunciation: baw-ar'
   Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste.