Exodus 3:11

KJV

¶ And Moses said unto God, Who [am] I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} said {H559} unto God {H430}, Who am I, that I should go {H3212} unto Pharaoh {H6547}, and that I should bring forth {H3318} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} out of Egypt {H4714}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the people of Isra'el out of Egypt?"

Berean Standard Bible

But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

American Standard Version

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 3:11 captures Moses' profound self-doubt and sense of inadequacy when confronted with God's monumental commission at the burning bush. After forty years as a shepherd in Midian, Moses, acutely aware of his past failures and the immense power of the Egyptian empire, questions his suitability for such a formidable divine task, expressing deep humility and perceived unworthiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse immediately follows God's declaration that He has heard the cries of His people and is sending Moses to deliver them from Egyptian bondage. In the preceding verses, God reveals His identity as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and states His intention to bring Israel out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey, specifically commissioning Moses for this task (see [Exodus 3:7-10](/exodus/3-7-10 "God Hears and Commissions Moses")). Moses' question, "Who am I?", is the first of several objections he raises, highlighting his initial reluctance and the stark contrast between his humble shepherd life and the grand divine mandate. It sets the stage for God's patient reassurance and revelation of His power and presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this time, Israel had been enslaved in Egypt for centuries, enduring harsh labor and oppression under a powerful Pharaoh. Pharaoh was considered a divine king, an embodiment of the gods, wielding absolute authority. To confront such a ruler required immense courage and divine backing. Moses himself had a complex history: raised in Pharaoh's court, he later fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster (see [Exodus 2:11-15](/exodus/2-11-15 "Moses Kills an Egyptian and Flees")). Forty years in the wilderness as a shepherd had likely stripped him of any princely confidence, leaving him feeling insignificant and ill-equipped to face the very empire he had once fled. His question reflects a realistic appraisal of the political and military might of Egypt compared to his own perceived weakness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus and beyond. It introduces the theme of **divine calling**, where God initiates His redemptive plan by choosing an unlikely individual. It profoundly illustrates **human inadequacy versus divine sufficiency**, showing that God often chooses the weak and humble to accomplish His mighty purposes, thereby ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone. Moses' reluctance also highlights the theme of **God's patient reassurance** and the importance of His promised presence (as seen in [Exodus 3:12](/exodus/3-12 "God's Assurance to Moses")) as the ultimate qualification for service. Furthermore, it foreshadows the immense challenge of the **deliverance of Israel** and the subsequent **establishment of God's covenant people**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Moses (Hebrew, _Môsheh'_):** From H4872, meaning "drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued." This name is profoundly significant, given Moses' own rescue from the Nile as an infant (see [Exodus 2:10](/exodus/2-10 "Pharaoh's Daughter Names Moses")) and his future role in "drawing out" the children of Israel from Egypt. His question "Who am I?" stands in stark contrast to the divine purpose inherent in his very name, underscoring his perceived unworthiness despite his divinely appointed destiny as a rescuer.
* **go (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** From H3212, meaning "to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry." This word denotes a journey, a movement with purpose. Moses is being commanded not just to *be* someone, but to *do* something active and confrontational: to "go unto Pharaoh." His question reveals his apprehension about undertaking such a daunting and dangerous mission, implying a journey fraught with immense challenges and personal risk.
* **bring forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** From H3318, meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim." This is the core action of the Exodus – the liberation of a nation. Moses is tasked not merely with confronting Pharaoh, but with the monumental responsibility of leading millions of people out of slavery. The sheer scale and complexity of this task, involving logistics, leadership, and divine intervention, contribute to Moses' overwhelming sense of inadequacy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses said unto God":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the direct, personal nature of the divine encounter. Moses is not speaking to a prophet or an angel, but directly to the Almighty God who has just revealed Himself in the burning bush. His response is a direct, unfiltered reaction to the divine mandate.
* **"Who am I":** This is the heart of Moses' protest. It is a rhetorical question expressing profound humility, self-doubt, and a genuine sense of personal insignificance and inadequacy. After forty years in obscurity as a shepherd, Moses no longer sees himself as the powerful Egyptian prince he once was, but as an unworthy and incapable individual for such a colossal task.
* **"that I should go unto Pharaoh":** This clause highlights the immediate and terrifying aspect of the commission. Pharaoh was the most powerful ruler in the known world, considered a god by his people. To "go unto Pharaoh" meant confronting absolute power, risking immediate imprisonment or death, and challenging the very foundation of the Egyptian empire. Moses, having fled Egypt due to a past transgression, understood the immense danger involved.
* **"and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?":** This second part of the commission reveals its overwhelming scope. It's not just a personal confrontation, but the responsibility of leading an entire nation, numbering in the millions, out of centuries of bondage. This task would require not only diplomatic skill but also immense leadership, logistical prowess, and divine power, all of which Moses felt he lacked.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 3:11 powerfully employs **Rhetorical Question** to convey Moses' deep internal struggle. His "Who am I?" is not a request for information but an emphatic expression of his perceived unworthiness and inadequacy for the monumental task God has laid before him. There is also a subtle **Irony** present: the one who was "drawn out" of the water (Moses' name) is now commissioned to "bring forth" a nation from the metaphorical waters of oppression. This highlights the divine hand in his life from birth. Furthermore, the verse serves as significant **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the recurring biblical theme of God choosing the weak and humble to accomplish His mighty purposes, a pattern seen throughout the Old and New Testaments.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Moses' initial protest in [Exodus 3:11](/exodus/3-11 "Moses' Question of Inadequacy") is a foundational moment illustrating the paradox of divine calling: God often chooses individuals who feel utterly inadequate for the immense tasks He sets before them. This highlights that God's plans are not contingent on human merit or perceived ability, but on His sovereign will and His power to equip those He calls. Moses' "Who am I?" is met not with a rebuke, but with God's profound assurance, shifting the focus from Moses' inadequacy to God's own sufficiency and unwavering presence. This establishes a crucial theological principle: true qualification for divine service comes not from human capability but from God's empowering presence and promise to be "with" His chosen instruments.

* [Exodus 3:12](/exodus/3-12 "God's Assurance to Moses")
* [Jeremiah 1:6-8](/jeremiah/1-6-8 "Jeremiah's Call and God's Assurance")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "God's Strength in Weakness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Moses' profound question, "Who am I?", resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed or unqualified by a significant calling, a challenging responsibility, or even a simple request to step out in faith. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans are not contingent on our perceived abilities, our past failures, or our self-assessment. Instead, it teaches us to shift our focus from our limitations to the limitless power and faithfulness of the God who calls us. When God extends a commission, He also provides the necessary equipping and promises His unfailing presence. Our reliance should be solely on His strength, knowing that He enables us to fulfill His purposes despite our perceived weaknesses, just as He empowered Moses to confront Pharaoh and lead a nation. This passage encourages us to embrace humility, not as an excuse for inaction, but as the posture through which God's strength is most clearly manifested.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel most inadequate or unqualified, particularly regarding God's call or a significant task?**
* **How does Moses' experience encourage you to trust God's presence and power more than your own abilities?**
* **What specific steps can you take to shift your focus from your limitations to God's limitless strength when faced with daunting challenges?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses question God's call?**

Answer: Moses' question, "Who am I?", is generally understood as an expression of genuine humility and self-doubt, rather than an outright lack of faith. It reflects his realistic assessment of the immense task of confronting Pharaoh and leading millions of people out of slavery, especially given his past failures (fleeing Egypt after killing an Egyptian, as seen in [Exodus 2:11-15](/exodus/2-11-15 "Moses Kills an Egyptian and Flees")) and forty years of obscurity as a shepherd. He perceived himself as insignificant and unqualified for such a monumental divine mandate. God does not rebuke him for this hesitation, but rather offers reassurance and promises His presence (as in [Exodus 3:12](/exodus/3-12 "God's Assurance to Moses")), indicating it was a natural human response to an overwhelming divine call, one that God patiently addresses.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses' experience of inadequacy in the face of a divine calling finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in Christ. While Moses, a servant and a type of deliverer, questioned his own sufficiency to bring Israel out of bondage, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, perfectly fulfilled His divine mission without question or hesitation, embodying complete obedience and inherent sufficiency. Christ is the ultimate deliverer, not through human strength or qualification, but through His divine nature and perfect, atoning sacrifice (as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Furthermore, the New Covenant empowers believers, who are often weak and inadequate in themselves, to participate in God's redemptive work through the indwelling Holy Spirit. This echoes the principle that God works powerfully through humble vessels, but now with the assured presence of Christ Himself within them, making them "more than conquerors" through Him who loved them (see [Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")). Our sufficiency is found not in ourselves, but "from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant" (as described in [2 Corinthians 3:5-6](/2_corinthians/3-5-6 "2 Corinthians 3:5-6 - Our Competence is from God")).

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.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 18:18

And David said unto Saul, Who [am] I? and what [is] my life, [or] my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

Exodus 6:12

And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who [am] of uncircumcised lips?

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;

Jeremiah 1:6

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.

2 Corinthians 2:16

To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?

1 Kings 3:9

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

Isaiah 6:5

¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.