Exodus 6:3

KJV

And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by [the name of] God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I appeared {H7200} unto Abraham {H85}, unto Isaac {H3327}, and unto Jacob {H3290}, by the name of God {H410} Almighty {H7706}, but by my name {H8034} JEHOVAH {H3068} was I not known {H3045} to them.

Complete Jewish Bible

I appeared to Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov as El Shaddai, although I did not make myself known to them by my name, Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh [ADONAI].

Berean Standard Bible

I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them.

American Standard Version

and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 6:3 is a profound declaration of God's identity and the progressive nature of His self-revelation. It reveals that while the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—knew God as El Shaddai, the "God Almighty," signifying His omnipotence and sufficiency, the full, experiential depth of His covenant-keeping name, JEHOVAH (YHWH), was not yet fully grasped by them. This verse sets the stage for God's mighty acts of deliverance in the Exodus, through which He would unveil the profound meaning and power of His personal, redemptive name to Moses and the nation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial dialogue between God and Moses following Moses' initial, unsuccessful confrontation with Pharaoh, which only intensified the Israelites' suffering. Moses, disheartened and questioning God's plan, expresses his frustration in [Exodus 5:22-23](/exodus/5-22-23 "Moses' complaint to God"). In response, God reassures Moses, reaffirming His covenant promises to the patriarchs and declaring His imminent intervention to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage and bring them into the promised land. [Exodus 6:1-8](/exodus/6-1-8 "God's promise to deliver Israel") serves as God's powerful reaffirmation of His commitment, with verse 3 specifically clarifying the historical depth and progressive nature of His self-revelation, distinguishing the patriarchs' understanding from the deeper revelation now being given to Moses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Egypt, a polytheistic society where Pharaoh was considered a divine ruler and the gods of Egypt were believed to control various aspects of life. The Israelites, having endured generations of slavery, were at a low point, their faith likely wavering under severe oppression. In this context, God's self-revelation as "God Almighty" (El Shaddai) to the patriarchs would have emphasized His supreme power and ability to fulfill seemingly impossible promises, such as giving them numerous descendants and a land. The subsequent revelation of "JEHOVAH" (YHWH) to Moses and Israel, particularly through the Exodus, directly challenged the perceived power of Egyptian deities and Pharaoh, demonstrating that the God of Israel was the one true, active, and sovereign deity who intervenes in human history to save His people and fulfill His word.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 6:3 significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation**, showing that God reveals Himself progressively, deepening humanity's understanding of His character and purposes over time. This verse also underscores God's unwavering **Covenant Faithfulness**, emphasizing His remembrance of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, despite the intervening centuries of silence and suffering. Furthermore, it sets the stage for the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Redemption**, as the deeper revelation of God's name YHWH is inextricably linked to His mighty acts of salvation, demonstrating His active presence and power to liberate His people from bondage, as promised throughout [the book of Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 6:3 serves as a profound statement on the unfolding of God's character and purpose through history. God contrasts His previous self-disclosure to the patriarchs with the new, deeper revelation He is about to unfold to Moses and the Israelites.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **appeared (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** This word (H7200) signifies "to see, literally or figuratively." In this context, it refers to God making Himself visible or known to the patriarchs in a tangible, personal way, often through theophanies or direct communication. It implies a direct, personal encounter where God's presence and character were perceived, albeit not in their full, redemptive scope.
* **Almighty (Hebrew, _Shadday'_):** This term (H7706) is the root of "El Shaddai," often translated as "Almighty" or "All-Sufficient." It emphasizes God's omnipotence, His power to create, sustain, bless, and fulfill promises, even in seemingly impossible circumstances (e.g., Abraham and Sarah's barrenness). It speaks to His overwhelming power and sufficiency to provide for His people and bring about His purposes.
* **known (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This word (H3045) is a rich Hebrew verb meaning "to know" in a deep, experiential, and relational sense, not merely intellectual acquaintance. It implies recognition, understanding, and intimate relationship, often involving shared experience. When God says "was I not known to them" by His name JEHOVAH, it signifies that the patriarchs had not yet experienced the full, redemptive, and covenant-fulfilling power associated with that name through the mighty acts of deliverance that were about to unfold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by [the name of] God Almighty,"**: This clause establishes the historical precedent of God's self-revelation to the patriarchs. God asserts that He indeed made Himself known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, specifically under the designation "El Shaddai" (God Almighty). This name emphasized His power to bless, to make fruitful, and to fulfill His promises despite human limitations, as seen in the miraculous births of Isaac and Jacob's sons, and the promise of a vast offspring. The patriarchs knew God as the powerful, sustaining deity who could provide for them, bless them, and fulfill promises despite their limitations and barrenness, as demonstrated in [Genesis 17:1](/genesis/17-1 "God appears to Abraham as El Shaddai").
* **"but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them."**: This crucial second clause clarifies the nature of the patriarchs' knowledge of God. "JEHOVAH" is the KJV's anglicized rendering of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, YHWH (יהוה), often translated as "LORD" (in all caps) in many English Bibles. This name signifies God's self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM" - [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "God reveals 'I AM' to Moses")), His eternal and unchanging nature, and most significantly, His active presence and covenant-keeping relationship with His people. The phrase "was I not known to them" does not imply the patriarchs were entirely ignorant of the name YHWH itself (it appears in [Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Men began to call on the name of the Lord") and other patriarchal narratives). Rather, it signifies that they did not know Him *by* this name in the specific, experiential sense of His mighty, redemptive acts of deliverance and the fulfillment of His covenant through the Exodus. They knew His promises and power, but not the full, active, and redemptive implications of His covenant name, which would be unveiled through the miraculous liberation from Egypt. This was a new, deeper revelation of His character and power as the God who actively intervenes to save His people and fulfill His promises.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 6:3 is **Contrast**, specifically a contrast in the *nature* of God's revelation. God explicitly contrasts His previous self-disclosure as "El Shaddai" to the patriarchs with the deeper, experiential understanding of His name "YHWH" that He is now revealing. This highlights the **Progressive Revelation** of God's character and plan throughout salvation history, where truth is unveiled in stages as humanity is prepared to receive it. Furthermore, the phrase "was I not known to them" employs a form of **Idiom** or **Euphemism**, as it doesn't mean absolute ignorance of the name YHWH, but rather a lack of full, experiential knowledge of its redemptive power and covenant-keeping implications, which would be dramatically demonstrated in the Exodus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 6:3 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the unfolding of God's character and plan. It teaches us that God's revelation is not static but dynamic and progressive, deepening in scope and understanding over time. While the patriarchs knew God as "El Shaddai," the "God Almighty" who was powerful enough to make and keep promises, even those seemingly impossible, the Exodus event would unveil the profound, active, and redemptive meaning of His personal covenant name, YHWH. This distinction underscores God's wisdom in revealing Himself in a manner appropriate to the stage of salvation history and the capacity of His people to comprehend His multifaceted nature. It firmly establishes God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating that His commitment to His people transcends generations and circumstances, assuring them that His word is reliable and His power is sufficient for deliverance.

* [Genesis 17:1](/genesis/17-1 "God appears to Abraham as El Shaddai")
* [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "God reveals 'I AM' to Moses")
* [Psalm 105:8-11](/psalm/105-8-11 "God remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 6:3 offers profound insights for our own spiritual journey. Just as God progressively revealed deeper aspects of His character to Moses and Israel, He continues to reveal Himself to us as we grow in faith and experience His works in our lives. This verse is a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises across generations. Even when circumstances seem bleak, or His plans unclear, we can trust that God remembers His covenants and possesses the power to fulfill them. Understanding the different names of God, like El Shaddai and YHWH, enriches our appreciation for His multifaceted character—His power, His provision, and His active, covenant-keeping love. It encourages us to seek a deeper, experiential knowledge of God, not just an intellectual one, allowing His revealed character to shape our trust and obedience in every season of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have I experienced a "progressive revelation" of God's character in my own life?**
* **How does God's faithfulness to His ancient covenants, as seen in this verse, strengthen my trust in His promises for today?**
* **What does it mean to "know" God experientially, and how can I cultivate a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Him?**

### FAQ
**Did the patriarchs truly not know the name YHWH at all?**

Answer: The verse does not mean Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were entirely ignorant of the name YHWH. The name appears in earlier Genesis narratives (e.g., [Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Men began to call on the name of the Lord")). Instead, "was I not known to them" implies that they did not know YHWH in the full, experiential sense of His covenant-keeping, redemptive power that would be demonstrated through the Exodus. They knew Him as the God of promise and provision (El Shaddai), but not yet as the God who actively intervenes to deliver His people from bondage and establish His covenant through mighty acts of salvation, which is the deeper meaning revealed in the name YHWH during the Exodus.

**Why did God reveal Himself progressively to humanity?**

Answer: God's progressive revelation demonstrates His wisdom and pedagogy. He reveals Himself and His plans in a manner that humanity can comprehend and respond to at different stages of salvation history. Starting with El Shaddai, emphasizing His power to create and sustain life and fulfill promises, God laid a foundation of trust. The revelation of YHWH then deepened this understanding, showing His active, personal, and redemptive involvement in the lives of His people, particularly through the Exodus. This gradual unfolding allows for a richer, more profound apprehension of His multifaceted character and purposes over time, culminating in the ultimate revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 6:3, with its emphasis on God's progressive revelation and unwavering covenant faithfulness, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The names El Shaddai (God Almighty) and YHWH (the self-existent, covenant-keeping God) are perfectly and fully embodied in Christ. He is the "Almighty" through whom all things were created and sustained, holding creation together by the word of His power ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). More profoundly, Jesus is the ultimate "I AM," echoing the divine name YHWH revealed to Moses, as He declared in [John 8:58](/john/8-58 "Jesus declares 'I AM'"). Through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, Jesus perfectly reveals the Father, making God truly "known" in the most intimate and saving way. The covenant promises made to the patriarchs, which God began to fulfill through the Exodus, are fully and eternally realized in the New Covenant established through Christ's blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in Christ's blood")). In Him, God's active, redemptive power and steadfast love are fully displayed, inviting all into a deeper, personal relationship with the divine, a knowledge far surpassing that of the patriarchs or even the Exodus generation.

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

Psalms 83:18

That [men] may know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth.

Psalms 68:4

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Exodus 3:14

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Genesis 48:3

And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

Genesis 17:1

¶ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Isaiah 44:6

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.

Genesis 35:11

And God said unto him, I [am] God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;