Exodus 6:6

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {H3651} say {H559} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, I am the LORD {H3068}, and I will bring {H3318} you out from under the burdens {H5450} of the Egyptians {H4714}, and I will rid {H5337} you out of their bondage {H5656}, and I will redeem {H1350} you with a stretched {H5186} out arm {H2220}, and with great {H1419} judgments {H8201}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"Therefore, say to the people of Isra'el: 'I am ADONAI. I will free you from the forced labor of the Egyptians, rescue you from their oppression, and redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

American Standard Version

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am Jehovah, 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 an outstretched arm, and with great judgments:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 6:6 stands as a pivotal divine declaration, where God, revealing Himself by His covenant name YHWH, emphatically reaffirms His sovereign commitment to deliver the Israelites from the brutal oppression and slavery of Egypt. This verse encapsulates a series of powerful "I will" statements, underscoring His absolute initiative, unwavering faithfulness, and irresistible power to redeem His people through decisive acts of judgment, thereby setting the stage for the miraculous and transformative events of the Exodus narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful declaration in [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "God's Promise of Deliverance") arrives at a moment of profound crisis and despair for the [children of Israel](/exodus/1-11 "The Burdens of the Israelites"). Following Moses' initial, unsuccessful confrontation with Pharaoh, their already harsh labor was intensified, leading to deep discouragement among the people and Moses himself, as vividly described in [Exodus 5:6-23](/exodus/5-6-23 "Pharaoh Increases Israel's Burdens and Moses' Lament"). In response to this crisis of faith and the apparent failure of his first mission, God reveals Himself more fully to Moses in [Exodus 6:2-5](/exodus/6-2-5 "God Reveals His Covenant Name and Plan to Moses"), emphasizing His covenant name, YHWH, and the absolute certainty of His redemptive plan. Thus, [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "The Core of God's Assurance") serves as the climactic and foundational assurance within this divine revelation, designed to bolster the faith of a people crushed by the weight of slavery and to re-establish Moses' confidence in God's ultimate triumph.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were enslaved by the [Egyptians](/exodus/1-13-14 "Egyptian Oppression of Israel"), forced into arduous labor, primarily brick-making and construction, under a system designed to break their spirit and control their population. Pharaoh, as the divine king in Egyptian cosmology, wielded absolute power, and his word was considered law, backed by the might of a formidable empire. In the ancient Near East, deities were often associated with specific nations or territories, and a god's power was demonstrated through their ability to protect and deliver their people from enemies. God's declaration in [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "God's Mighty Deliverance") was therefore a direct challenge to Pharaoh's authority and the perceived supremacy of Egyptian gods, asserting YHWH's universal sovereignty and His unique power to intervene decisively in human history on behalf of His chosen people. The "judgments" promised would have been understood in a context where divine intervention often involved plagues, natural disasters, or military defeat as expressions of a deity's wrath or justice.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Key Themes in God's Promise") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully establishes the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, emphasizing that salvation originates entirely with God ("I will bring... I will rid... I will redeem"). Secondly, it reinforces **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God explicitly links His actions to His promises made to the patriarchs, demonstrating His unchanging commitment to His word despite human despair (as seen in [Exodus 6:2-5](/exodus/6-2-5 "God's Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob")). Thirdly, the concept of "redeem" introduces the foundational theme of **Redemption as Liberation**, setting the stage for understanding God's saving acts throughout biblical history. Finally, the "stretched out arm" and "great judgments" highlight **God's Irresistible Power and Justice**, showcasing His ability to overcome all opposition and execute righteous judgment against oppressors, ensuring that His will ultimately prevails, as exemplified by the [plagues in Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7 "The Plagues Begin").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 6:6 is a profound statement of divine resolve, packed with theological significance, serving as the bedrock of God's promise of deliverance to Israel.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is God's personal, covenant name, YHWH (often pronounced Yahweh). Its use here is profoundly significant, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises made to [Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob](/genesis/17-7 "God's Everlasting Covenant"). It is not merely a title but His personal, active name, signifying His immanent presence and power in the world, particularly in fulfilling His redemptive purposes.
* **redeem (Hebrew, _gâʼal'_):** From H1350, "to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e.; to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.); avenger, deliver, kinsfolk, purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger." This term emphasizes a powerful, personal act of rescue, where God takes possession of His people by paying a price or exercising His sovereign right as their "Kinsman-Redeemer." It speaks to a profound, personal intervention to restore what was lost or enslaved.
* **stretched out arm (Hebrew, _zᵉrôwaʻ_ and _nâṭâh'_):** From H2220 ("the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force; arm, help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength") and H5186 ("to stretch or spread out"). This is a potent anthropomorphism, a vivid image of God's irresistible might and decisive intervention. The "stretched out arm" is a recurring motif throughout the [Old Testament](/deuteronomy/5-15 "God's Mighty Hand and Stretched Out Arm in Deuteronomy 5:15"), powerfully conveying God's active, determined, and overwhelming strength in delivering His people, implying a display of power that cannot be resisted or overcome.
* **judgments (Hebrew, _shepheṭ'_):** From H8201, "a sentence, i.e. infliction; judgment." This refers to the series of [plagues upon Egypt](/exodus/7-4 "God's Judgments and Plagues Upon Egypt") and the ultimate defeat of Pharaoh's army at the [Red Sea](/exodus/14-27 "The Defeat of Pharaoh's Army at the Red Sea"). These "judgments" demonstrate God's perfect justice, His righteous indignation against oppression, and His power to overcome all opposition to His will, ensuring His triumph over the forces of evil and injustice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I [am] the LORD":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and identity behind the promise. Moses is commanded to speak directly to the disheartened Israelites, relaying God's personal declaration of His covenant name, YHWH. This is not merely a title but a revelation of His active, self-existent, and faithful nature, assuring them that the God of their ancestors is indeed present and about to act on their behalf.
* **"and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians":** This is the first of several "I will" statements, emphasizing God's sole initiative and absolute certainty in the deliverance. It speaks to the physical liberation from the forced labor and crushing oppression imposed by the Egyptians. God promises to remove them from the literal weight and hardship of their servitude, signifying a decisive separation from their enslaved condition.
* **"and I will rid you out of their bondage":** This second promise reinforces the completeness of their liberation. "Rid you out" implies a thorough and definitive rescue, a stripping away of the chains and constraints of slavery. It signifies a full release from their enslaved status, not just a temporary reprieve from labor, but a fundamental change in their existential condition.
* **"and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm":** Here, the nature of God's saving act is further defined. "Redeem" (Hebrew: *ga'al*) signifies a powerful, personal act of rescue, often involving a kinsman buying back or liberating what was lost or enslaved, emphasizing God's sovereign right and intimate relationship with His people. The "stretched out arm" is a vivid anthropomorphism, portraying God's irresistible might and determined intervention, indicating a display of overwhelming power that cannot be resisted by any earthly force.
* **"and with great judgments":** This final clause specifies the means by which God will accomplish this redemption. The "great judgments" refer to the series of devastating plagues inflicted upon Egypt and the ultimate destruction of Pharaoh's army. These acts demonstrate God's perfect justice, His righteous indignation against oppression, and His power to overcome all opposition, ensuring His triumph over the forces of evil and His vindication of His oppressed people.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 6:6 is rich with significant literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly the emphatic "I will" (Hebrew: *ani* plus the future verb), which appears four times in this single verse. This rhetorical device underscores God's absolute resolve, His sovereign initiative, and the certainty of His promises, leaving no doubt that the deliverance is entirely His work and not dependent on Israel's strength or merit. Another powerful device is **Anthropomorphism**, seen in the phrase "with a stretched out arm." This imagery attributes a human physical action (stretching out an arm) to God, vividly conveying His active, powerful, and irresistible intervention in human affairs. It makes an abstract divine attribute (omnipotence) tangible and comprehensible. Furthermore, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**, as the "great judgments" anticipate the devastating plagues and the ultimate defeat of Pharaoh, setting the stage for the dramatic unfolding of the Exodus narrative and God's demonstration of power over all creation and earthly rulers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 6:6 is a foundational statement of God's character and His redemptive plan. It powerfully asserts His absolute sovereignty over human circumstances and historical events, emphasizing that salvation originates entirely with Him. His declaration "I am the LORD" (YHWH) explicitly links His actions to His covenant promises made to the patriarchs, demonstrating His unchanging faithfulness to His word despite human despair or unfaithfulness. The concept of "redeem" (Hebrew *ga'al*) establishes a foundational understanding of redemption as a powerful act of liberation from bondage, setting the stage for future redemptive acts throughout biblical history, culminating in Christ. The "stretched out arm" and "great judgments" reveal God's irresistible power to execute His will and His perfect justice in dealing with oppressors, ensuring that evil does not ultimately prevail and that His people are vindicated. This verse ultimately portrays a God who hears the cries of His suffering people and acts decisively on their behalf, demonstrating both compassion and omnipotence.

* [Deuteronomy 26:8](/deuteronomy/26-8 "God's Mighty Hand and Outstretched Arm")
* [Psalm 136:11-12](/psalms/136-11-12 "God's Steadfast Love in Delivering Israel")
* [Isaiah 51:9-11](/isaiah/51-9-11 "Awake, Awake, Arm of the Lord!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "God's Promise of Deliverance for Today") offers profound comfort and enduring assurance for believers in every generation. It powerfully reminds us that God actively hears the cries of His people, even in the deepest oppression or despair, and that His promises remain unfailing, regardless of how bleak circumstances may appear. Just as He possessed the power to deliver Israel from the physical bondage of Egypt, He continues to possess the power to deliver us from any form of spiritual, emotional, or physical bondage we may face. This verse encourages us to place our trust firmly in God's sovereign power and His unwavering commitment to His people, knowing that He acts with both immense strength and perfect justice to bring about His ultimate triumph and our redemption. When we feel overwhelmed by the "burdens" of life, whether they be sin, anxiety, injustice, or despair, Exodus 6:6 calls us to remember that the same God who stretched out His arm for Israel is still active, still powerful, and still faithful to His covenant promises to His children today. Our hope is not in our ability to escape, but in His unfailing power to redeem.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "burdens" or forms of "bondage" in your life or in the world today do you need God to "bring out" or "rid" you from?**
* **How does God's declaration "I am the LORD" (YHWH) strengthen your faith in His ability to act on your behalf, even when circumstances seem impossible?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's "stretched out arm" or "great judgments" (His powerful interventions) in your own life or observed them in history?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God's name 'the LORD' in this verse?**

Answer: The name "the LORD" translates the Hebrew *YHWH* (Yahweh), God's personal, covenant name. In [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "The Significance of YHWH"), its use is profoundly significant as it emphasizes God's self-existence, His unchanging nature, and His absolute faithfulness to the covenant promises He made to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). It signifies that the God who is about to act powerfully to redeem Israel is the same God who established a relationship with their ancestors, guaranteeing the fulfillment of His word. It's a declaration of His active presence, His unique identity, and His unwavering commitment to His people, distinguishing Him from all other deities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Christ's Fulfillment of Exodus 6:6") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies the perfect "stretched out arm" of God's redemptive power. Just as God delivered Israel from physical slavery in Egypt, Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, redeems humanity from the far greater spiritual bondage of sin and death ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Redemption Through Christ's Blood")). He is the ultimate [Kinsman-Redeemer](/galatians/4-4-5 "Redemption Through Christ's Sonship"), paying the ultimate price—His own life—to set us free from the curse of the law and the dominion of darkness ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). The "great judgments" against Egypt prefigure Christ's decisive victory over the forces of evil, Satan, and death itself ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ's Victory Over Death")). Through Him, God establishes a new covenant, ushering in an eternal redemption that far surpasses the temporal deliverance from Pharaoh, offering not just physical freedom but spiritual adoption into God's family and the promise of everlasting life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")).

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

Deuteronomy 26:8

And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:

1 Chronicles 17:21

And what one nation in the earth [is] like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem [to be] his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

Deuteronomy 7:8

But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Exodus 7:4

But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, [and] my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

Nehemiah 1:10

Now these [are] thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

Exodus 15:13

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided [them] in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Psalms 81:6

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.