Exodus 3:17

KJV

And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I have said {H559}, I will bring {H5927} you up out of the affliction {H6040} of Egypt {H4714} unto the land {H776} of the Canaanites {H3669}, and the Hittites {H2850}, and the Amorites {H567}, and the Perizzites {H6522}, and the Hivites {H2340}, and the Jebusites {H2983}, unto a land {H776} flowing {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and I have said that I will lead you up out of the misery of Egypt to the land of the Kena'ani, Hitti, Emori, P'rizi, Hivi and Y'vusi, to a land flowing with milk and honey."'

Berean Standard Bible

And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’

American Standard Version

and I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 3:17 records God's solemn and unwavering declaration to Moses at the burning bush, articulating His divine resolve to deliver the Israelites from their severe oppression in Egypt. This pivotal promise not only reaffirms God's covenant faithfulness to His people but also outlines their glorious future: a divinely ordained exodus leading to an abundant inheritance in a specific, fertile land, starkly contrasting their current state of affliction with a future of prosperity and rest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct continuation of God's profound self-revelation and commissioning of Moses in [Exodus 3](/exodus/3 "Exodus 3 - The Burning Bush and Moses' Commission"). Following God's declaration of His name, "I AM WHO I AM" ([Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "God Reveals His Name to Moses")), and His explicit awareness of Israel's suffering ([Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "God Sees Israel's Affliction")), He outlines His plan to intervene. Verse 17 serves as the concrete promise of the destination, providing Moses with a clear, tangible objective to present to the elders of Israel after God assures him of their receptiveness in [Exodus 3:18](/exodus/3-18 "Moses' Instructions to the Elders"). It sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation with Pharaoh and the subsequent exodus narrative that dominates the rest of the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for centuries, their lives made bitter with hard labor in mortar and brick ([Exodus 1:14](/exodus/1-14 "Israel's Hard Bondage in Egypt")). The mention of "affliction of Egypt" (עֹנִי מִצְרַיִם, 'onîy Mitsrayim') directly references this brutal reality. The land promised, Canaan, was not an empty wilderness but a region already inhabited by various peoples, including the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These groups were known from existing ancient Near Eastern texts and archaeological findings, confirming their presence in the Levant. The promise of a "land flowing with milk and honey" was a powerful cultural idiom in the ancient world, signifying extraordinary fertility and abundance, contrasting sharply with the often-arid or labor-intensive agricultural practices of other regions, including parts of Egypt where irrigation was essential.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 3:17 is central to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. It powerfully illustrates **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, as this promise of land directly echoes the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abram"), [Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "God's Covenant with Isaac"), [Genesis 35:12](/genesis/35-12 "God's Promise to Jacob")). It highlights **Divine Deliverance and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's active intervention to rescue His people from an impossible situation through His own power. The verse also introduces the theme of **Inheritance and Rest**, portraying the Promised Land as a place of divine provision and peace after centuries of toil. Finally, it underscores **God's Compassion for the Oppressed**, as His initiative to bring Israel out of "affliction" stems from His deep awareness of their suffering ([Exodus 2:23-25](/exodus/2-23-25 "God Hears Israel's Groaning")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** (H559) This primitive root means "to say (used with great latitude)." Here, it signifies a definitive, authoritative declaration from God. It's not merely a suggestion or a wish, but a firm statement of divine intent and purpose, indicating a promise that will be fulfilled. The perfect tense implies a settled, unchangeable decree.
* **affliction (Hebrew, _ʻŏnîy'_):** (H6040) Derived from a root meaning "to be bowed down," this word denotes "depression" or "misery." It encapsulates the profound suffering, oppression, and hardship endured by the Israelites under Egyptian bondage, encompassing both physical toil and emotional distress. God's promise is to bring them *out* of this specific, deeply felt misery.
* **flowing (Hebrew, _zûwb'_):** (H2100) A primitive root meaning "to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow." In this context, it describes the abundant, effortless outpouring of natural resources. It paints a picture of a land so fertile that milk and honey are not scarce commodities but flow freely, symbolizing a state of natural, unforced provision and prosperity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt":** This opening clause establishes God as the sovereign initiator and executor of the deliverance. The perfect tense of "I have said" (Hebrew: `ve'gam anochi amarti`) emphasizes the certainty and divine decree of the promise. God is not merely reacting but actively orchestrating their liberation. The phrase "bring you up" (Hebrew: `a'aleh etchem`) signifies a transformative ascent from a state of deep oppression and misery ("affliction of Egypt") to freedom and a higher status, highlighting a complete and powerful rescue.
* **"unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites":** This detailed enumeration of the existing inhabitants of the Promised Land underscores the geographical specificity and historical reality of God's promise. It indicates that the land is not vacant but is currently occupied by these distinct peoples. This specificity also foreshadows the future conquest and dispossession that will be necessary for Israel to inherit the land, emphasizing the miraculous nature of God's provision and His power to clear the way for His people.
* **"unto a land flowing with milk and honey":** This iconic phrase is a powerful **metaphor** and **idiom** for extraordinary fertility, abundance, and divine provision. "Milk" (Hebrew: `chalav`) represents the richness of pastoral life, indicating thriving herds and dairy products. "Honey" (Hebrew: `devash`) typically refers to date syrup or wild honey, symbolizing the sweetness and bounty of agricultural produce. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a land where sustenance is plentiful and easily obtained, a stark **contrast** to the harsh, forced labor and scarcity experienced in Egypt, promising a future of ease, blessing, and natural wealth.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 3:17 is rich in literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The most prominent is the **Idiom** "a land flowing with milk and honey," which serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for unparalleled fertility, prosperity, and divine blessing. This evocative imagery immediately conveys a sense of abundance and ease, contrasting sharply with the "affliction of Egypt." The detailed **Enumeration** of the six Canaanite tribes (Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites) provides geographical specificity and historical grounding to God's promise, making the future inheritance tangible and real. This enumeration also implicitly sets up a **Contrast** between the current inhabitants and the future inheritors, highlighting God's sovereign power to dispossess and re-settle. Furthermore, the divine declaration "I have said" carries the weight of **Divine Speech Act**, emphasizing God's unwavering resolve and the certainty of His promise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 3:17 is a cornerstone of biblical theology, powerfully affirming God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It demonstrates His active involvement in human history, orchestrating the liberation of His people from oppression and leading them into a divinely prepared inheritance. This verse underscores the transformative nature of God's salvation, moving His people from a state of severe affliction to one of abundant blessing and rest. It highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His power to fulfill His purposes, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness and the ultimate triumph of His redemptive plan.

* [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "God's Covenant with Abram and the Land Promise")
* [Deuteronomy 8:7-9](/deuteronomy/8-7-9 "Description of the Promised Land's Abundance")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43-45 "God's Promises Fulfilled in Joshua")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 3:17 offers profound encouragement and a powerful reminder of God's character for believers today. Just as God saw the "affliction of Egypt" and promised a specific, abundant destination for Israel, He remains intimately aware of our struggles, whether they be spiritual bondage, personal hardships, or societal injustices. This verse assures us that God is not passive but actively intervenes, orchestrating deliverance and leading us into a place of spiritual rest and abundance in Christ. It calls us to trust in God's unwavering promises, even when our current circumstances seem bleak or insurmountable. Our faith is grounded in the God who "has said" and will bring us up, transforming our afflictions into opportunities for His glory and leading us into a future of peace and provision that far surpasses our present difficulties.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "afflictions" in your life or in the world today do you need to trust God to "bring you up" out of?**
* **How does the specificity of God's promise (naming tribes, describing the land) encourage your faith in His detailed care for your life?**
* **In what ways can you experience the "land flowing with milk and honey"—God's abundance and provision—even in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why does God list so many tribes inhabiting the Promised Land?**

Answer: God lists these specific tribes—the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—to emphasize the concrete, geographical reality of the land He was promising to Israel. This detailed enumeration served multiple purposes: it underscored that the land was not an abstract concept but a real territory with existing inhabitants, highlighting the magnitude and miraculous nature of God's intervention in dispossessing these nations and giving the land to Israel. Furthermore, it demonstrated the fulfillment of His ancient promises to Abraham, which included the boundaries of the land and the peoples within it ([Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "God's Covenant with Abram and the Land Promise")). This specificity provided concrete assurance to Moses and the Israelites that God's plan was precise and achievable.

**What is the significance of "a land flowing with milk and honey"?**

Answer: The phrase "a land flowing with milk and honey" is a powerful biblical idiom signifying extraordinary fertility, prosperity, and natural abundance. It is a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch, first appearing here in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "God Promises a Land Flowing with Milk and Honey"). "Milk" (Hebrew: `chalav`) represents the richness of pastoral life and dairy animals, indicating thriving herds and a plentiful food source. "Honey" (Hebrew: `devash`) typically refers to date syrup or wild honey, symbolizing bountiful agricultural produce and the sweetness of the land's fruit. This imagery contrasts sharply with the harsh, forced labor conditions of Egypt, portraying the Promised Land as a place of ease, provision, and natural blessing, where sustenance is readily available without oppressive toil. It symbolizes a place of divine favor and rest, where God's people would experience His abundant provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 3:17 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the greater Moses, leading His people out of a far deeper affliction—the spiritual bondage of sin and death. Just as God promised a physical land of milk and honey to Israel, Christ offers a spiritual inheritance, ushering believers into the Kingdom of God, a realm of spiritual abundance, peace, and eternal rest. He is the true deliverer who brings us out of the "affliction" of a fallen world and into a new covenant, where the promises of God's presence, provision, and blessing are fully realized ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "The Promise of Rest for God's People")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has conquered the spiritual "Canaanites" of sin, death, and the devil, making a way for us to inherit spiritual blessings "in heavenly places in Christ" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). This culminates in the new heavens and new earth, the ultimate "land flowing with milk and honey" where God dwells with His people forever, and "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "The New Heaven and New Earth")).

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 50:24

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Genesis 15:13

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

Genesis 15:21

And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

Exodus 2:23

¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

Exodus 2:25

And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto [them].

Genesis 46:4

I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up [again]: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

Joshua 24:11

And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.