Exodus 3:8

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

And I am come down {H3381} to deliver {H5337} them out of the hand {H3027} of the Egyptians {H4714}, and to bring {H5927} them up out of that land {H776} unto a good {H2896} land {H776} and a large {H7342}, unto a land {H776} flowing {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}; unto the place {H4725} of the Canaanites {H3669}, and the Hittites {H2850}, and the Amorites {H567}, and the Perizzites {H6522}, and the Hivites {H2340}, and the Jebusites {H2983}.

I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that country to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the place of the Kena'ani, Hitti, Emori, P'rizi, Hivi and Y'vusi.

I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Commentary

Exodus 3:8 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Exodus, where God reveals His active plan for the redemption of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. It highlights God's compassion, His faithfulness to His promises, and the specific destination He has prepared for His people.

Context

This verse is spoken by God to Moses from the burning bush, marking a crucial moment in salvation history. Immediately preceding this, God has declared that He has "surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows" (Exodus 3:7). Verse 8 then states God's direct intention and action: He is "come down" to intervene. This divine declaration sets the stage for the dramatic events of the plagues, the Passover, and the journey to the Promised Land, fulfilling the covenant made with Abraham generations earlier.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention and Deliverance: The phrase "I am come down to deliver them" emphasizes God's personal, active involvement in the plight of His people. He is not a distant deity but one who hears, sees, and acts powerfully to rescue. This theme of God's divine intervention and deliverance is central to the entire Exodus narrative.
  • The Promise of the Land: God specifies the destination as "a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey." This vivid description signifies abundance, fertility, and prosperity, a stark contrast to the harsh conditions of slavery in Egypt. This is the fulfillment of the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • Sovereignty Over Nations: The naming of the six specific Canaanite tribes (Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites) indicates that God is sovereign over all peoples and lands. The Israelites are not entering an empty territory but a land already inhabited, signaling a divinely ordained conquest and displacement.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "flowing with milk and honey" (Hebrew: eretz zavat chalav u'devash) is a quintessential biblical idiom used throughout the Old Testament to describe the extraordinary fertility and richness of the Promised Land. Milk symbolizes the abundance of livestock and dairy products, while honey (likely date honey or wild honey, not necessarily bee honey) represents the sweetness and fruitfulness of the land's produce. It paints a picture of a land of ease and plenty, truly a gift from God.

Practical Application

Exodus 3:8 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Hears and Cares: Just as God saw the affliction of Israel, He is aware of our struggles and hears our prayers. He is actively involved in the lives of His people.
  • God Fulfills His Promises: Despite centuries of waiting and severe oppression, God remained faithful to His covenant. This verse is a powerful testimony to God's unwavering faithfulness and His commitment to bringing His plans to fruition, even when circumstances seem impossible.
  • Hope in Future Provision: The imagery of a "land flowing with milk and honey" serves as a metaphor for God's abundant provision and the ultimate blessing He has for those who trust Him, whether in this life or in the eternal future.
This verse assures us that God is a deliverer who leads His people from bondage to a place of blessing and rest, according to His perfect will and timing.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 50:24 (18 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 3:17 (17 votes)

    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.

  • Genesis 15:18 (16 votes)

    In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Genesis 15:21 (16 votes)

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

  • Exodus 13:5 (15 votes)

    And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

  • Deuteronomy 1:25 (15 votes)

    And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought [it] down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, [It is] a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.

  • Jeremiah 11:5 (13 votes)

    That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as [it is] this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.