Exodus 3:15

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Exodus 3:15 is a pivotal verse in the Old Testament, revealing God's eternal and covenantal name to Moses at the burning bush. It solidifies the divine identity and purpose behind the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage.

Context

This verse follows God's initial call to Moses from the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In Exodus 3:13, Moses asks God what he should tell the Israelites when they ask for the name of the God who sent him. God's profound answer in Exodus 3:14, "I AM THAT I AM," establishes His self-existent nature. Verse 15 then provides the specific, enduring name by which God wishes to be known to His people.

Key Themes

  • The Revelation of God's 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), which is linked to the verb "to be" and signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature as the One who always was, is, and will be. This name assures Israel of God's active presence and power.
  • Covenantal Faithfulness: God identifies Himself as "the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." This emphasizes His unchanging faithfulness to the promises made to the patriarchs, indicating that the covenant established with them (see Genesis 12:2) is still active and will be fulfilled through Moses' mission.
  • 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, serving as a lasting testimony to His character and relationship with His people. This concept is echoed in Psalm 135:13: "Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates the Hebrew YHWH as "LORD" (all caps) to distinguish it from Adonai ("Lord"). This sacred name, revealed here, is foundational to understanding the God of Israel. 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 and action by which He is known and worshipped through history.

Significance and Application

Exodus 3:15 reveals a God who is not distant or abstract, but personal, relational, and actively 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 Egypt is the same God who remains faithful to His covenant with us. Understanding His name, "The LORD," deepens our worship and trust, reminding us that He is the self-existent, powerful, and ever-present One. This divine revelation also foreshadows the New Testament, where Jesus Himself makes claims such as "Before Abraham was, I am," connecting His identity directly to the eternal "I AM" and YHWH of the Old Testament.

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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

  • Genesis 17:7 (21 votes)

    ¶ 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 (21 votes)

    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 (19 votes)

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

  • Malachi 3:6 (10 votes)

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

  • Hosea 12:5 (9 votes)

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

  • Micah 4:5 (7 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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.