Exodus 3:10

KJV

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

Come {H3212} now therefore, and I will send {H7971} thee unto Pharaoh {H6547}, that thou mayest bring forth {H3318} my people {H5971} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} out of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, now, come; and I will send you to Pharaoh; so that you can lead my people, the descendants of Isra'el, out of Egypt."

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

American Standard Version

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 3:10 marks the pivotal moment of Moses' divine commissioning at the burning bush, where God directly commands him to return to Egypt and lead the enslaved Israelites out of bondage, thereby initiating the fulfillment of God's ancient promises and demonstrating His sovereign power to deliver His people from oppression.

### CONTEXT
This verse occurs during God's dramatic encounter with Moses on Mount Horeb, following a period of forty years during which Moses had fled Egypt and was tending sheep in Midian. Prior to this direct command, God had revealed Himself to Moses from the burning bush, declaring His holy name, Yahweh, and expressing His profound awareness of the Israelites' suffering under Egyptian oppression. God stated His intention to deliver His people, having [seen their affliction and heard their cry](/exodus/3-7 "God's awareness of Israel's suffering"). Exodus 3:10 transitions from God's declaration of intent to a clear, personal directive for Moses to become the instrument of this divine liberation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

* **"Come now therefore"**: This phrase signals an immediate and authoritative divine imperative. It marks a decisive turning point in Moses' life and in the history of Israel, moving from God's self-revelation and declaration of purpose to a direct command for action. The previous verses established God's identity and intent; here, God issues the specific charge.

* **"and I will send thee unto Pharaoh"**: This is the core of Moses' divine commissioning. The emphasis is on God's active role ("I will send"). This is not Moses' idea or ambition but a sovereign appointment by the Almighty. God chooses His instrument for a monumental task. The Hebrew word _shalach_ (שלח) signifies a profound divine appointment, implying authority, purpose, and a specific mission behind the dispatch. It is a directive from the Almighty, not a mere suggestion. Moses is sent directly to the most powerful ruler of the time, highlighting the magnitude of the task and the inevitable confrontation between God's will and human resistance. This sets the stage for a demonstration of God's supreme power over all earthly authorities.

* **"that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt"**: This defines the ultimate objective of Moses' mission. The phrase "my people" underscores God's covenant relationship with Israel. Despite their enslavement, they remain His treasured possession, chosen and beloved. The Hebrew _yatsa_ (יצא) emphasizes a forceful and decisive act of leading out, signifying a complete separation from bondage. It implies a powerful, supernatural deliverance rather than a gradual or negotiated release. The core mission is the physical liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. This act of deliverance will become the foundational event in Israelite history, demonstrating God's power, faithfulness, and commitment to His covenant. It sets the stage for the miraculous Exodus, a testament to God's ability to overcome any obstacle for His people's freedom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

* **God's Active Involvement in Human History**: This verse powerfully demonstrates that God is not distant or detached but intimately involved in the affairs of humanity, particularly in responding to the cries of the oppressed and fulfilling His promises.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Election**: God sovereignly chooses and equips His servants for specific purposes, often selecting seemingly ordinary individuals for extraordinary tasks, as seen in Moses' call despite his initial reluctance and perceived inadequacies.
* **God's Covenant Faithfulness**: The command to deliver Israel is a direct fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, underscoring His unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His word.
* **God's Compassion for the Oppressed**: The primary motivation for this divine intervention is God's deep compassion and commitment to His people, who were suffering under brutal oppression. He hears their groaning and acts decisively for their liberation.
* **The Theme of Exodus and Redemption**: This verse initiates the foundational narrative of the Exodus, which serves as a prototype for God's redemptive acts throughout biblical history, symbolizing liberation from bondage and the establishment of a new relationship with God.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 3:10 offers profound insights for believers today. Just as God called Moses, an ordinary shepherd tending sheep in the wilderness, He continues to call seemingly ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary tasks, equipping them for the mission He gives, despite [their own feelings of inadequacy or reluctance](/exodus/4-1 "Moses' reluctance to be sent"). This passage reminds us that God's power is made perfect in weakness. Furthermore, it provides assurance that God, who heard the cries of Israel, remains attentive to the suffering and injustices in the world today, actively involved in the lives of His people. Moses' subsequent obedience, despite immense challenges and personal doubts, serves as a powerful example of trusting God's power and provision when faced with a divine calling, emphasizing that our obedience is a response to God's initiative and faithfulness.

### FAQ

**Why did God choose Moses for this monumental task?**

Answer: God chose Moses not because of any inherent greatness or qualification, but in His divine sovereignty. Moses had been prepared through his upbringing in Pharaoh's court (learning Egyptian ways) and his forty years as a shepherd in Midian (learning humility and wilderness survival). God's choice highlights His ability to use ordinary individuals, equipping them for His extraordinary purposes, often despite their own feelings of inadequacy.

**What does the Hebrew word "shalach" (send) imply about Moses' commissioning?**

Answer: The Hebrew word *shalach* (שלח) implies more than just dispatching someone; it signifies a profound divine appointment with authority and purpose. When God "sends" someone, it means He empowers them, gives them a specific mission, and stands behind their actions. Moses was not going on his own initiative but as God's representative, carrying divine authority.

**How does this verse connect to God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?**

Answer: Exodus 3:10 is a direct step towards fulfilling the covenant promises God made to the patriarchs, particularly the promise of a land and a great nation. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved but then brought out with great possessions (Genesis 15:13-14). Moses' mission to "bring forth my people... out of Egypt" is the concrete action God takes to honor those ancient promises and establish Israel as His chosen nation in their own land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 3:10 foreshadows the ultimate divine commission and deliverance found in Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was "sent" by God to deliver His people from physical bondage in Egypt, Jesus was "sent" by the Father to deliver humanity from the spiritual bondage of sin and death. Christ is the greater Moses, leading a new exodus for His people, not to a physical land, but into the kingdom of God and eternal life. His mission, like Moses', was initiated by God's compassion for His people, and through His cross and resurrection, He decisively brought forth His people from the dominion of darkness into His marvelous light, fulfilling God's ancient redemptive plan in its ultimate and most profound sense.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.