Exodus 3:15

KJV

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial unto all generations.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} said {H559} moreover {H5750} unto Moses {H4872}, Thus shalt thou say {H559} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, The LORD {H3068} God {H430} of your fathers {H1}, the God {H430} of Abraham {H85}, the God {H430} of Isaac {H3327}, and the God {H430} of Jacob {H3290}, hath sent {H7971} me unto you: this is my name {H8034} for ever {H5769}, and this is my memorial {H2143} unto all {H1755} generations {H1755}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God said further to Moshe, "Say this to the people of Isra'el: 'Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh [ADONAI], the God of your fathers, the God of Avraham, the God of Yitz'chak and the God of Ya'akov, has sent me to you.'This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered generation after generation.

Berean Standard Bible

God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

American Standard Version

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 3:15 is a foundational revelation where God declares His eternal, covenantal name, "The LORD" (YHWH), to Moses at the burning bush. This name, linked to His self-existent nature, solidifies His identity as the faithful God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, assuring Israel of His enduring presence and commitment to their deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse follows God's initial call to Moses from the [burning bush](/exodus/3-2 "God calls Moses from the burning bush"), commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In [Exodus 3:13](/exodus/3-13 "Moses asks for God's name"), Moses, anticipating the Israelites' question about the identity of the God who sent him, asks for His name. God's profound answer in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "God reveals 'I AM WHO I AM'"), "I AM WHO I AM," establishes His absolute self-existence and sovereignty. Verse 15 then provides the specific, enduring name by which God desires to be known to His covenant people through all generations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 3:15 unveils crucial aspects of God's character and relationship with humanity:

* **The Revelation of God's Personal Name:** The core of this verse is the revelation of God's personal, covenantal name, "The LORD." In Hebrew, this is the Tetragrammaton, *YHWH* (often pronounced Yahweh). This name is deeply linked to the verb "to be," signifying God's eternal, self-existent nature as the One who always was, is, and will be. It assures Israel of God's active, unchanging presence and power. The King James Version (KJV) translates *YHWH* as "LORD" (all capital letters) to distinguish it from *Adonai*, another Hebrew word meaning "Lord" or "master." This practice highlights the unique and sacred nature of God's revealed name.
* **Covenantal Faithfulness and Continuity:** God identifies Himself as "the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." This powerful declaration emphasizes His unchanging faithfulness to the promises made to the patriarchs. It signifies that the covenant established with Abraham, detailed in passages like [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "The Abrahamic Covenant"), is still active and will be fulfilled through Moses' mission. God is not a new deity but the same faithful God of their ancestors.
* **An Eternal Memorial:** The phrase "this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial unto all generations" underscores the enduring nature of God's revelation. His name is not temporary but is meant to be remembered and honored throughout all time. The word "memorial" comes from the Hebrew *zeker*, meaning a remembrance or a designation by which one is remembered. It signifies not just a name to be recalled, but the very essence of God's character, His actions, and His redemptive plan by which He is known and worshipped through history. This concept of an enduring name and memorial is echoed in [Psalm 135:13](/psalms/135-13 "God's enduring name in Psalm 135"): "Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Self-Revelation:** God takes the initiative to reveal His personal identity and character to humanity, not merely as a generic deity but as a specific, relational being.
* **God's Immutability:** The declaration "for ever" and "unto all generations" underscores God's unchanging nature and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises across time.
* **Covenantal Theology:** The verse firmly roots God's present actions in His historical covenants with the patriarchs, demonstrating the continuity and reliability of His redemptive plan.
* **The Significance of Divine Names:** In biblical thought, a name reveals character and authority. God's revelation of *YHWH* provides profound insight into His being and power.
* **God's Active Involvement:** This passage portrays God as actively involved in the history of His people, intervening to deliver them and fulfill His purposes.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 3:15 reveals a God who is not distant or abstract, but personal, relational, and deeply involved in the history of His people. For believers today, this verse assures us of God's unchanging nature and His unwavering commitment to His promises. The God who delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt is the same God who remains faithful to His covenant with us, providing deliverance and sustenance. Understanding His personal name, "The LORD," deepens our worship and trust, reminding us that He is the self-existent, powerful, and ever-present One who is intimately concerned with our lives and salvation.

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God calling Himself "The LORD" (YHWH)?**

Answer: The name YHWH (often pronounced Yahweh) is the personal, covenantal name of God, distinct from generic titles like Elohim. It is derived from the Hebrew verb "to be," signifying God's self-existence, eternal nature, and active presence. When God reveals this name, He is declaring Himself as the One who always was, is, and will be, the faithful fulfiller of His promises. The KJV's use of "LORD" in all caps distinguishes it from other Hebrew terms for "lord," emphasizing its unique sacredness and importance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 3:15, with its revelation of God's eternal name *YHWH*, finds profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself makes claims such as "[Before Abraham was, I am](/john/8-58 "Jesus' 'I AM' statement")" (John 8:58), directly connecting His divine identity to the eternal "I AM" and *YHWH* of the Old Testament. He is the ultimate embodiment of God's enduring presence and faithfulness, the One through whom God's covenant promises are perfectly fulfilled. In Christ, the God who delivered Israel from Egypt is revealed as the God who delivers humanity from sin and death, establishing a new and eternal covenant.

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

Genesis 17:7

¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Genesis 17:8

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Malachi 3:6

For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Hosea 12:5

Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD [is] his memorial.

Micah 4:5

For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

Exodus 3:6

Moreover he said, I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.