Exodus 6:2

KJV

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I [am] the LORD:

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} spake {H1696} unto Moses {H4872}, and said {H559} unto him, I am the LORD {H3068}:

Complete Jewish Bible

God spoke to Moshe; he said to him, "I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

God also told Moses, “I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am Jehovah:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 6:2 marks a profound moment of divine self-disclosure and unwavering reassurance, occurring immediately after Moses' initial, disheartening failure to secure Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage. In response to Moses' despair and the intensified suffering of the Israelites, God powerfully reaffirms His unchanging identity, His covenant promises, and His sovereign commitment to His people, thereby setting the stage for the miraculous events of the Exodus and demonstrating His active presence in human history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate divine response to Moses' lament in [Exodus 5:22-23](/exodus/5-22-23 "Moses' Complaint to God") following his first, unsuccessful confrontation with Pharaoh. Pharaoh's reaction was not to release Israel, but to intensify their forced labor, demanding bricks without straw, which plunged the Israelites into deeper despair and led them to blame Moses. Moses, in turn, questioned God's effectiveness and purposes, asking, "Why have you brought trouble upon this people? Why did you ever send me?" ([Exodus 5:22](/exodus/5-22 "Moses' Questioning of God")). God's powerful declaration in [Exodus 6:2](/exodus/6-2 "God's Reassurance to Moses") directly addresses this crisis of faith, shifting the narrative from human doubt and suffering to divine sovereignty and covenant faithfulness, preparing both Moses and the people for the dramatic unfolding of the Exodus narrative.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were deeply entrenched in oppressive slavery under the powerful Egyptian empire, a condition that had persisted for generations. Pharaoh, considered a divine ruler in Egyptian cosmology, wielded absolute authority, and his word was law. The intensification of their labor, as described in [Exodus 5:6-19](/exodus/5-6-19 "Pharaoh's Oppression of Israel"), was a common tactic of ancient Near Eastern empires to break the spirit of enslaved peoples. In this context of overwhelming human power and deep despair, God's self-revelation as "the LORD" (Yahweh) was a radical assertion of His supreme authority over all earthly powers, including Pharaoh, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, directly challenging the prevailing worldview and offering a divine counter-narrative to their suffering.

* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 6:2](/exodus/6-2 "God's Reassurance to Moses") is foundational to several key themes woven throughout the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over history and human affairs, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles like Pharaoh's tyranny. It powerfully introduces the theme of **Progressive Revelation**, as God reveals a deeper, more active dimension of His covenant-keeping nature through His personal name, Yahweh, building upon His prior revelations to the patriarchs (as further detailed in [Exodus 6:3](/exodus/6-3 "God's Revelation to the Patriarchs")). The verse also highlights **Covenant Faithfulness**, reassuring Moses and the Israelites that God is actively remembering and fulfilling the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, setting the stage for the redemption of Israel and their journey to the promised land, a theme central to [the entire book of Exodus](/exodus "The Book of Exodus - Redemption and Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun, often translated "God," refers to the supreme God, though it can also denote gods in a general sense, magistrates, or even be used as a superlative. In [Exodus 6:2](/exodus/6-2 "God's Reassurance to Moses"), its use with a singular verb indicates the one true God, emphasizing His divine power and authority as the speaker.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This primitive root means "to arrange" or, figuratively, "to speak." It implies a deliberate, authoritative, and often declarative utterance. When God "spake" to Moses, it was not a casual conversation but a weighty, purposeful communication, conveying His divine will and establishing a new phase of His redemptive plan.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the personal, covenant name of God, often rendered as Yahweh or the Tetragrammaton (YHWH). Derived from the verb "to be" (H1961, _hâyâh'_), it signifies "the self-Existent" or "Eternal One." Its declaration here is a profound revelation of God's unchanging, ever-present, and covenant-keeping nature, distinct from more general titles, emphasizing His active involvement in fulfilling His promises to Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God spake unto Moses,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the message. It signifies a direct, intentional communication from the sovereign God (ʼĕlôhîym) to His chosen mediator, Moses, underscoring the gravity and importance of the words that follow. This is not a human initiative but a divine one, initiated by God Himself.
* **"and said unto him,"**: This phrase reinforces the directness and clarity of God's communication to Moses. The Hebrew verb for "said" (ʼâmar) often denotes a formal declaration or pronouncement, emphasizing that what follows is a definitive statement from the Almighty, designed to be heard, understood, and acted upon by Moses. It highlights the personal nature of God's interaction with His servant.
* **"I [am] the LORD:"**: This climactic declaration is the core of the verse. "I am" emphasizes God's self-existence and eternality, echoing His revelation at the burning bush ([Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "God's Self-Declaration as 'I AM'")). "The LORD" (Yahweh) is God's personal, covenant name, signifying His unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His active presence as the deliverer and redeemer of His people. This statement serves as both a profound theological truth and a powerful reassurance in the face of despair, asserting God's identity as the one who will definitively act to fulfill His word.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Divine Speech** is paramount, as the entire verse is a direct quotation of God's words to Moses, immediately asserting His authority and active involvement in the narrative. The declaration "I am the LORD" functions as a powerful act of **Self-Revelation**, where God explicitly defines His identity, not merely as a general deity, but as the specific, covenant-keeping God of Israel. This self-identification also carries the weight of **Affirmation** and **Reassurance**, directly countering Moses' and Israel's doubts and despair from the previous chapter. The use of the personal divine name, Yahweh, serves as a form of **Naming** that encapsulates God's character and His historical relationship with His people, imbuing the statement with profound theological significance and setting the stage for the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Exodus 6:2](/exodus/6-2 "God's Reassurance to Moses") is a foundational text for understanding God's character and His relationship with humanity. It underscores His absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even when circumstances appear to contradict them. God's self-declaration as "the LORD" (Yahweh) is not merely a statement of identity but a pledge of action, assuring Moses and Israel that the God who made promises to their ancestors is now actively intervening to fulfill them. This revelation serves as the theological bedrock for trusting God's plan, even when human efforts fail and the path ahead seems impossible. It teaches that God's faithfulness is rooted in His very being, providing an anchor for faith in times of crisis.

* [Genesis 15:7](/genesis/15-7 "God's Covenant with Abram") - Here, God introduces Himself to Abram as "the LORD" (Yahweh) who brought him out of Ur, linking His name to His redemptive action and covenant promise.
* [Psalm 105:8](/psalm/105-8 "God's Enduring Covenant") - This psalm reflects on God's enduring remembrance of His covenant and the word He commanded for a thousand generations, reinforcing His faithfulness to His promises.
* [Isaiah 43:10-11](/isaiah/43-10-11 "God as the Only Savior") - God declares, "I am he; before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior," emphasizing His unique identity and singular power to save.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Exodus 6:2](/exodus/6-2 "God's Reassurance to Moses") offers profound encouragement and a vital theological anchor for believers today. When we face overwhelming circumstances, experience setbacks, or find ourselves questioning God's plan in the midst of suffering, this verse reminds us that God is unchanging and eternally faithful to His promises. Just as He reaffirmed His identity as "the LORD"—the covenant-keeping, self-existent, and all-powerful God—to Moses in a moment of deep despair, He continually invites us to rest in His sovereign character. Our understanding of who God is, particularly as the one who actively fulfills His word, is foundational to our ability to trust Him when the path is unclear or difficult. This passage calls us to remember that God is not merely a distant deity but an intimately involved, ever-present Lord who works all things according to His perfect will, even when we cannot perceive His hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's self-revelation as "the LORD" in a moment of crisis challenge your own understanding of His character when you face difficult circumstances?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you tempted to doubt God's active involvement or faithfulness, and how might reflecting on this verse strengthen your trust?**
* **How does understanding God's unchanging identity as "the LORD" impact your prayers and your expectations for His intervention?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your reliance on God's sovereign plan, even when your immediate efforts seem to fail?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God revealing Himself as "the LORD" (Yahweh) at this specific moment?**

Answer: The revelation of God as "the LORD" (Yahweh) at this critical juncture is profoundly significant because it emphasizes His active, covenant-keeping nature. Unlike the more general names like [ʼĕlôhîym (God)](/genesis/1-1 "God's Creation") or [ʼEl Shaddai (God Almighty)](/genesis/17-1 "God's Covenant with Abraham") by which He was known to the patriarchs, Yahweh signifies God's personal, self-existent, and eternally faithful character, specifically in the context of His promises to Israel. This declaration served as a powerful reassurance to Moses and the Israelites that the God who made the covenant was now actively intervening to fulfill it, despite their current despair and Pharaoh's oppression. It underscored His commitment to deliver them and bring them into the [Promised Land](/exodus/3-8 "The Land Flowing with Milk and Honey").

**How does "I am the LORD" connect to "I AM THAT I AM" from the burning bush?**

Answer: The declaration "I am the LORD" in [Exodus 6:2](/exodus/6-2 "God's Reassurance to Moses") directly builds upon and clarifies the revelation of "[I AM THAT I AM](/exodus/3-14 "God's Self-Declaration at the Burning Bush")" from [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "God's Self-Declaration 'I AM THAT I AM'"). "I AM THAT I AM" emphasizes God's self-existence, eternality, and absolute sovereignty—He is who He is, unchanging and independent of all creation. "I am the LORD" (Yahweh) then applies this self-existent nature to His covenant relationship with Israel. It signifies that the eternal, self-existent God is also the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God, actively present and faithful to His promises to His people. The former declares His inherent being; the latter declares His being in active, redemptive relation to His people and His unfolding plan of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound declaration "I am the LORD" in [Exodus 6:2](/exodus/6-2 "God's Reassurance to Moses") finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Yahweh revealed Himself as the covenant-keeping God who actively intervenes to deliver His people from bondage, Jesus repeatedly used the "I AM" statements in the Gospels to identify Himself with the divine "I AM" of the Old Testament. For instance, when Jesus declared, "[I am the bread of life](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), "[I am the light of the world](/john/8-12 "Jesus, the Light of the World")" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), or "[I am the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), He was claiming the very divine identity of Yahweh. He is the embodiment of God's faithful presence, the ultimate fulfillment of all God's covenant promises, and the one through whom God's redemptive plan is fully realized. Through Christ, the sovereign, self-existent God actively enters human history, not merely to deliver from physical bondage, but to offer spiritual redemption from sin and eternal life, thereby fulfilling the very essence of God's self-revelation as "the LORD" and demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His people, a commitment sealed by His [death and resurrection](/romans/4-25 "Jesus' Death and Resurrection for Our Justification").

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

Malachi 3:6

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

Jeremiah 9:24

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 42:8

I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Acts 17:24

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Acts 17:25

Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Genesis 15:7

¶ And he said unto him, I [am] the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

Exodus 6:6

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I [am] the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: