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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 3:16–22.
Moses is here more particularly instructed in his work, and informed beforehand of his success. 1. He must deal with the elders of Israel, and raise their expectation of a speedy removal to Canaan, Exo 3:16, Exo 3:17. He must repeat to them what God had said to him, as a faithful ambassador. Note, That which ministers have received of the Lord they must deliver to his people, and keep back nothing that is profitable. Lay an emphasis on that, Exo 3:17 : "I have said, I will bring you up; that is enough to satisfy them, I have said it:" hath he spoken, and will he not make it good? With us saying and doing are two things, but they are not so with God, for he is in one mind and who can turn him? "I have said it, and all the world cannot gainsay it. My counsel shall stand." His success with the elders of Israel would be good; so he is told (Exo 3:18): They shall hearken to thy voice, and not thrust thee away as they did forty years ago. He who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice, having determined to make them willing in this day of power. 2. He must deal with the king of Egypt (Exo 3:18), he and the elders of Israel, and in this they must not begin with a demand, but with a humble petition; that gentle and submissive method must be first tried, even with one who, it was certain, would not be wrought upon by it: We beseech thee, let us go. Moreover, they must only beg leave of Pharaoh to go as far as Mount Sinai to worship God, and say nothing to him of going quite away to Canaan; the latter would have been immediately rejected, but the former was a very modest and reasonable request, and his denying it was utterly inexcusable and justified them in the total deserting of his kingdom. If he would not give them leave to go and sacrifice at Sinai, justly did they go without leave to settle in Canaan. Note, The calls and commands which God sends to sinners are so highly reasonable in themselves, and delivered to them in such a gentle winning way, that the mouth of the disobedient must needs be for ever stopped. As to his success with Pharaoh, Moses is here told, (1.) That petitions, and persuasions, and humble remonstrances, would not prevail with him, no, nor a mighty hand stretched out in signs and wonders: I am sure he will not let you go, Exo 3:19. Note, God sends his messengers to those whose hardness and obstinacy he certainly knows and foresees, that it may appear he would have them turn and live. (2.) That plagues should compel him to it: I will smite Egypt, and then he will let you go, Exo 3:20. Note, Those will certainly be broken by the power of God's hand that will not bow to the power of his word; we may be sure that when God judges he will overcome. (3.) That his people should be more kind to them, and furnish them at their departure with abundance of plate and jewels, to their great enriching: I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, Exo 3:21, Exo 3:22. Note, [1.] God sometimes makes the enemies of his people, not only to be at peace with them, but to be kind to them. [2.] God has many ways of balancing accounts between the injured and the injurious, of righting the oppressed, and compelling those that have done wrong to make restitution; for he sits in the throne judging right.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
He said to Moses, “Go and speak to Pharaoh, that he may let my people go, but I know that he will not let them go.…” He manifests his divinity by foreseeing what is to happen and also his love for man by offering to the free will of man an opportunity to repent.
The Egyptians put in a claim on the Hebrews for these gold and silver vessels. The Hebrews assert a counterclaim, alleging that by the bond of their respective fathers, attested by the written engagement of both parties, there were due to them the arrears of that laborious slavery of theirs for the bricks they had so painfully made and the cities and palaces which they had built.
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Summary
In Exodus 3:19, God sovereignly declares to Moses His absolute foreknowledge regarding Pharaoh's unyielding refusal to release the Israelites from bondage. This divine pronouncement sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation between God's will and human stubbornness, revealing that only through an overwhelming and coercive demonstration of God's "mighty hand" will deliverance be achieved, thereby foreshadowing the miraculous plagues and the ultimate exodus.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a crucial part of the divine commission of Moses at the burning bush, detailed in Exodus 3. Following God's self-revelation as "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), His declaration of intent to deliver Israel (Exodus 3:7-8), and His instruction for Moses to confront Pharaoh with the elders of Israel (Exodus 3:16-18), God provides a stark pre-emptive warning. While God assures Moses that the elders will heed his voice, He immediately contrasts this with the certain resistance from Pharaoh. This foreknowledge serves to prepare Moses for the formidable challenge ahead, underscoring that the success of the mission will not depend on human negotiation or persuasion, but solely on God's direct and overwhelming intervention. It frames the entire Exodus narrative as a divine work, not a human one.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Egypt was a highly centralized and powerful empire, with the Pharaoh regarded as a living god, the embodiment of divine order (Ma'at), and the ultimate authority. His word was law, and his will was considered absolute. The Israelites were enslaved foreign laborers, crucial to Egypt's economy, and releasing such a large workforce would have been economically devastating and politically unthinkable for any Pharaoh. The concept of a "mighty hand" (Hebrew: yad chazaqah) was deeply significant in the ancient Near East, often referring to the display of overwhelming military or political power by a king or deity. For God to declare that Pharaoh would not yield even to a "mighty hand" implies that the force required would be beyond typical human or even imperial displays of power, necessitating a supernatural intervention that would challenge Pharaoh's perceived divine status and demonstrate the true God's supremacy over all earthly powers and false deities.
Key Themes
Exodus 3:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Exodus and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge, demonstrating that God knows the future with absolute certainty and orchestrates events according to His perfect will, even incorporating human resistance into His plan. Secondly, it emphasizes the Necessity of Divine Intervention for liberation. The verse makes it clear that human efforts alone are insufficient to overcome deeply entrenched evil and oppression; only God's overwhelming power can bring about true freedom. Thirdly, it sets the stage for the Revelation of God's Glory and Power. Pharaoh's stubbornness, rather than thwarting God's purpose, becomes the very means by which God will display His unparalleled might to both Israel and the nations (Exodus 9:16), proving that He is the one true God. Finally, it reinforces God's Covenant Faithfulness, as His determination to deliver Israel is rooted in His ancient promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 2:24).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root means "to know," often implying a deep, experiential, or certain knowledge. Here, in the Qal perfect, it indicates God's absolute, settled, and comprehensive knowledge of Pharaoh's future actions. It's not a guess or a prediction based on observation, but a declaration rooted in divine omniscience and sovereignty, signifying that God is fully cognizant of the resistance He will encounter and has already factored it into His plan.
Derived from a root meaning "to be strong," this adjective describes something as strong, powerful, or vehement. In this context, it modifies "hand" and denotes an overwhelming, intense, and forceful power. While it can sometimes carry a negative connotation of stubbornness or violence, here it refers to the irresistible, compelling nature of the power that will ultimately be required.
This primitive word refers to the physical hand, but it is used extensively in a figurative sense to denote power, authority, means, or agency. When combined with "mighty" (châzâq), "mighty hand" becomes a powerful idiom for coercive, irresistible power, specifically divine power. It signifies God's direct, forceful, and effective intervention, demonstrating His omnipotence in action.
Verse Breakdown
"And I am sure"
This opening phrase, using the Hebrew verb yâdaʻ (to know), emphasizes God's absolute foreknowledge and certainty. It conveys that God is not speculating or merely predicting based on human tendencies; rather, He declares an unchangeable truth about Pharaoh's disposition and the unfolding events. This divine certainty serves to reassure Moses that God is fully aware of the challenges ahead and is in complete control.
"that the king of Egypt will not let you go"
This clause directly states Pharaoh's anticipated refusal. The use of "king of Egypt" highlights the immense human power and authority that will stand in opposition to God's will. Pharaoh's unwillingness is presented as an established fact, not a possibility, setting the stage for the dramatic display of divine power required to overcome such deeply entrenched human resistance.
"no, not by a mighty hand"
This double negative ("will not... no, not") serves as a powerful emphatic statement, stressing the depth and stubbornness of Pharaoh's refusal. It indicates that Pharaoh will not yield even under significant pressure or a lesser display of power. The phrase "mighty hand" (Hebrew: yad chazaqah) is a crucial idiom that foreshadows the extraordinary, supernatural interventions—the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea—that God will unleash to compel Pharaoh to release Israel. It signifies that only God's overwhelming, irresistible, and coercive power will achieve the desired outcome, demonstrating His supremacy over all earthly rulers and forces.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Foreshadowing is prominent, as God's declaration directly anticipates the prolonged struggle with Pharaoh and the series of miraculous plagues that will follow. This pre-announcement prepares Moses for the inevitable resistance and assures him of God's ultimate victory. There is also a strong element of Irony in God's statement. Pharaoh, who considers himself a god and wields absolute power, will ultimately be powerless against the true "mighty hand" of Yahweh. His very resistance will become the stage for God's glory to be revealed. Furthermore, the use of a double negative ("will not... no, not") serves as a form of Emphasis or Hyperbole, underscoring the extreme obstinacy of Pharaoh and the extraordinary nature of the divine intervention that will be required to overcome it. This rhetorical device heightens the dramatic tension and highlights the magnitude of the impending conflict.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse profoundly illustrates the interplay between divine sovereignty and human will, affirming God's absolute knowledge and control while acknowledging human freedom to resist. God's foreknowledge of Pharaoh's stubbornness does not negate Pharaoh's responsibility for his choices; rather, it demonstrates God's ability to integrate human rebellion into His overarching redemptive plan, ultimately using it to magnify His own glory and power. It underscores the theological truth that some obstacles are so deeply entrenched, and some hearts so hardened, that only the direct, overwhelming, and miraculous intervention of God's "mighty hand" can bring about deliverance. This principle resonates throughout biblical history, reminding us that God's power is uniquely capable of overcoming seemingly insurmountable barriers, often through means that defy human expectation or capability.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 3:19 offers immense comfort and profound challenge for believers today. Just as God knew Pharaoh's unyielding heart and the formidable resistance Moses would face, He is intimately aware of every obstacle, opposition, and deeply entrenched problem we encounter in our lives—whether personal struggles, spiritual battles, or societal injustices. His divine foreknowledge does not mean our struggles are insignificant, but rather assures us that He is never caught off guard and has a sovereign plan to overcome them, often requiring His "mighty hand" to intervene in ways we cannot orchestrate. When confronted with situations that seem utterly impossible to resolve through our own strength, wisdom, or conventional means, this verse calls us to trust in God's supreme power and perfect timing. Our difficulties, much like Pharaoh's resistance, may serve as a canvas upon which God chooses to display His glory and demonstrate His unique ability to bring about deliverance, reminding us that true freedom comes not from human effort, but from divine intervention.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does God declare Pharaoh's resistance before it happens?
God declares Pharaoh's resistance beforehand for several profound reasons. Firstly, it serves to prepare Moses for the immense and protracted challenge ahead, preventing discouragement when initial efforts fail and reassuring him that God is fully aware of the opposition. Secondly, it powerfully demonstrates God's absolute foreknowledge and sovereignty over all human will and historical events, underscoring that His plan will unfold regardless of human obstinacy. Thirdly, it emphasizes that the upcoming deliverance would be solely by God's overwhelming power, not through human persuasion or strength, thereby magnifying His glory and ensuring that He alone receives credit for the miraculous Exodus.
What is the significance of the "mighty hand" in the context of the Exodus?
The "mighty hand" (Hebrew: yad chazaqah) signifies God's irresistible, authoritative, and coercive power. In the Exodus narrative, it represents the series of miraculous plagues that devastated Egypt, culminating in the death of the firstborn, and the awe-inspiring parting of the Red Sea. These were not mere acts of persuasion but direct, overwhelming divine interventions designed to break Pharaoh's will and compel him to release Israel. It emphasizes that Israel's liberation was not due to their own strength, negotiation, or military might, but solely to God's omnipotent and decisive power, demonstrating His supremacy to both Israel and all the nations.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The "mighty hand" of God, so dramatically manifested in the Exodus to deliver Israel from physical bondage to Pharaoh, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God's overwhelming power was necessary to overcome Pharaoh's entrenched resistance and the dominion of Egypt, Christ's divine authority and power were essential to overcome the far greater spiritual bondage of sin, death, and the dominion of Satan. Through His life, atoning death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Christ demonstrated the ultimate "mighty hand" of God, delivering humanity from the curse of the law and the power of darkness, accomplishing a spiritual exodus for all who believe (Colossians 1:13-14). He is the true and final deliverer, whose victory guarantees liberation from all forms of spiritual oppression, establishing a new covenant and ushering believers into the promised land of eternal life and communion with God (Hebrews 2:14-15).