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Exodus 3:4

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And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here [am] I.

And when the LORD {H3068} saw {H7200} that he turned aside {H5493} to see {H7200}, God {H430} called {H7121} unto him out of the midst {H8432} of the bush {H5572}, and said {H559}, Moses {H4872}, Moses {H4872}. And he said {H559}, Here am I.

When ADONAI saw that he had gone over to see, God called to him from the middle of the bush, "Moshe! Moshe!" He answered, "Here I am."

When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.

And when Jehovah saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

Commentary

Exodus 3:4 (KJV)

And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here [am] I.

Commentary

This verse describes the pivotal moment when God initiates direct communication with Moses after Moses has shown curiosity about the burning bush.

  • Historical and Cultural Context: Moses is in the wilderness near Mount Horeb (Sinai), tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro. He encounters a phenomenon – a bush burning intensely but not being consumed. This is a desolate, isolated setting, making the divine appearance all the more striking.
  • Key Themes:
    • Divine Attentiveness: God observes Moses' action ("when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see"). God notices our attention and interest in the divine.
    • Divine Initiative: God doesn't wait for Moses to speak first. The call comes from God out of the bush.
    • Personal Calling: God calls Moses by name, repeating it ("Moses, Moses"). This double naming in Hebrew scripture often signifies a direct, urgent, and significant address, preparing the person for an important divine message or task.
    • Human Readiness: Moses' response, "Here am I" (Hebrew: hinnēnî), is a common biblical expression of readiness, availability, and attentiveness to God's call. It indicates he is present and listening.
  • Linguistic Insights: The repetition of Moses' name emphasizes the personal and direct nature of God's call. Moses' response "Here am I" is more than just stating his location; it signifies his willingness to engage.
  • Cross-references: Similar double-name calls occur in the Bible when God is about to give a significant command or reveal something important (e.g., God calling Abraham in Genesis 22:1, God calling Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:10).
  • Practical Application: This verse illustrates that God notices our seeking. Our curiosity or turning aside to ponder something unusual or divine can be the moment God chooses to speak. It challenges us to be attentive to the ways God might be revealing Himself and to be ready, like Moses, to respond, "Here am I."
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 33:16 (6 votes)

    And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and [for] the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let [the blessing] come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him [that was] separated from his brethren.

  • 1 Samuel 3:4 (5 votes)

    That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here [am] I.

  • Genesis 22:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, [here] I [am].

  • Acts 9:4 (5 votes)

    And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

  • 1 Samuel 3:8 (5 votes)

    And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

  • Genesis 46:2 (5 votes)

    And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here [am] I.

  • Genesis 22:11 (5 votes)

    ¶ And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here [am] I.