Exodus 6:5

And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

And I have also heard {H8085} the groaning {H5009} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, whom {H834} the Egyptians {H4714} keep in bondage {H5647}; and I have remembered {H2142} my covenant {H1285}.

Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Isra'el, whom the Egyptians are keeping in slavery; and I have remembered my covenant.

Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered My covenant.

And moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

Commentary

Exodus 6:5 is a powerful declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His people, the children of Israel, who were enduring severe bondage in Egypt. This verse assures them, and us, that God is not indifferent to suffering but is actively involved in fulfilling His divine promises.

Context

This verse is part of God's direct communication to Moses, intended to reassure both Moses and the Israelites after initial attempts to negotiate with Pharaoh had seemingly worsened their condition. In Exodus 6:2-4, God reveals Himself more fully by His name YHWH (the LORD) and reiterates the solemn covenant He made with their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising them the land of Canaan. Exodus 6:5 serves as a direct bridge, connecting their current suffering to God's ancient, yet active, covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Compassion and Attentiveness: God explicitly states, "I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel." This highlights His deep empathy and awareness of His people's plight. He is not a distant deity but one who hears the cries of the oppressed, just as He had previously noted their cries in Exodus 2:24.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The core of the verse is "and I have remembered my covenant." This is a profound statement of God's loyalty. His remembrance is not merely a mental recall but an active commitment to fulfill His promises. The covenant referred to is the one made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which included the promise of land and nationhood.
  • Sovereign Initiative in Deliverance: God's remembrance of the covenant directly precedes His declaration to act on behalf of Israel, promising to bring them out of Egyptian slavery. This demonstrates that their deliverance is not by human effort alone but by God's sovereign will and power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "remembered" is zakhar (ื–ึธื›ึทืจ), which in this context means more than just recalling a past event. It implies an active, purposeful remembrance that leads to action. God is not simply thinking about the covenant; He is preparing to initiate the steps necessary to fulfill it. Similarly, "covenant" (Hebrew: berit, ื‘ึฐึผืจึดื™ืช) signifies a solemn, binding agreement, often initiated by God Himself, which He is obligated by His own character to uphold.

Practical Application

Exodus 6:5 offers immense comfort and assurance for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Hears Our Cries: In times of personal difficulty, suffering, or oppression, we can find solace in knowing that God hears our "groaning." He is attentive to the prayers and struggles of His people.
  • God is Faithful to His Promises: This verse underscores God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His word. If God remembered and acted upon His covenant with Israel, we can trust in His faithfulness to His promises for us, including His New Covenant promises found in Christ (see Jeremiah 31:33).
  • Hope in God's Timing: Even when circumstances seem dire and God's intervention appears delayed, Exodus 6:5 encourages us to trust that He remembers His commitments and will act in His perfect timing to bring about His purposes.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 2:24

    And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

  • Isaiah 63:9

    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

  • Psalms 106:44

    Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

  • Psalms 106:45

    And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

  • Genesis 9:15

    And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

  • Genesis 8:1

    ยถ And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that [was] with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

  • Psalms 105:8

    ยถ He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations.
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