Exodus 3:13

And Moses said unto God, Behold, [when] I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What [is] his name? what shall I say unto them?

And Moses {H4872} said {H559} unto God {H430}, Behold, when I come {H935} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and shall say {H559} unto them, The God {H430} of your fathers {H1} hath sent {H7971} me unto you; and they shall say {H559} to me, What is his name {H8034}? what shall I say {H559} unto them?

Moshe said to God, "Look, when I appear before the people of Isra'el and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you'; and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what am I to tell them?"

Then Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?”

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them?

Commentary

In Exodus 3:13, we witness Moses, standing before the burning bush, expressing a profound concern to God. Having just received his monumental commission to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, Moses anticipates the skepticism of his own people. He foresees their crucial question: "What is his name?" This is not merely a request for a label, but for the very essence and character of the deity who claims to send him.

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of God's call to Moses. Following God's declaration to send Moses to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses raises a series of objections and questions. His first objection, "Who am I?", was met with God's assurance of His presence (Exodus 3:12). Here, Moses presents a practical challenge: how will the enslaved Israelites, who have lived under Egyptian polytheism, recognize the authority of the God of their ancestors, particularly if they do not know His specific name? This question directly leads to one of the most significant divine revelations in the Old Testament, which unfolds in the very next verse.

Key Themes

  • Moses's Hesitation and Humility: Moses's question reveals his deep awareness of the enormity of the task and his own limitations. He is not just questioning God, but trying to understand how he can effectively convey God's message and authority to a people who have been oppressed for centuries.
  • The Significance of God's Name: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a name was far more than a label; it conveyed character, power, authority, and destiny. To know a god's name was to know their nature and to have a basis for relationship or appeal. The Israelites, having been in Egypt, would need a clear identification of the God of their fathers (the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) to distinguish Him from the numerous Egyptian deities.
  • Divine Authority and Identity: Moses's question sets the stage for God to reveal His unique and powerful identity, establishing His authority and His ultimate purpose to deliver His people. This revelation solidifies the foundation of Israel's faith and their understanding of their covenant relationship with God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "name" is shem (שֵׁם). Its importance in this context cannot be overstated. When Moses asks "What is his name?", he is asking for the essence of God's being, His character, and His unique identity that would compel the Israelites to believe and follow. This anticipation of God's self-revelation in Exodus 3:14 is critical for understanding the nature of the God of Israel.

Practical Application

Exodus 3:13 reminds us of several timeless truths:

  • God Anticipates Our Questions: Just as God patiently listened to Moses's concerns and provided a profound answer, He is attentive to our doubts and questions. He desires to reveal Himself more fully to us.
  • The Importance of God's Character: Understanding God's name, particularly His revealed name YHWH ("I AM"), is foundational to our faith. It signifies His eternal, self-existent, and covenant-keeping nature. Our trust in God is built on who He is, not just what He does.
  • Our Role in Sharing God's Truth: Like Moses, we are called to bear witness to God's truth. This verse encourages us to be prepared to articulate who God is and what He has done, especially in a world that may not know Him or may have distorted views. Knowing God's character allows us to share His message with confidence and clarity.
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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 9:6 (4 votes)

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

  • Exodus 3:14 (3 votes)

    And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

  • Genesis 32:29 (3 votes)

    And Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

  • Isaiah 7:14 (3 votes)

    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Matthew 1:21 (3 votes)

    And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

  • Proverbs 30:4 (3 votes)

    Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?

  • Jeremiah 23:6 (3 votes)

    In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.