Exodus 6:3

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.

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.

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].

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.

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

Commentary on Exodus 6:3

Exodus 6:3 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Exodus, where God clarifies His identity and relationship to the patriarchs versus His present revelation to Moses and the nation of Israel. It emphasizes the progressive nature of God's self-disclosure to humanity.

Context

This verse comes after Moses' initial confrontation with Pharaoh, which resulted in increased oppression for the Israelites. Discouraged, Moses questions God's plan. In response, God reassures Moses, reaffirming His covenant promises and His intention to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. This verse specifically addresses the depth of God's self-revelation to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—compared to the more profound understanding of His name and active, redemptive character that He is now revealing to Moses and the nation. It sets the stage for God's mighty acts of deliverance, which will firmly establish the meaning of His name JEHOVAH (YHWH) to Israel and the world.

Key Themes

  • Progressive Revelation of God's Name: God reveals Himself over time, adapting to the understanding and needs of His people. While Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew God as El Shaddai, the full implications of His covenant-keeping name YHWH were yet to be fully experienced through His mighty acts of deliverance.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: Despite Israel's suffering and Moses' doubts, God emphasizes His unwavering commitment to the covenant He made with the patriarchs. His remembrance of this covenant underscores His reliability and steadfast love.
  • Divine Power and Sovereignty: The names themselves speak to God's omnipotence. El Shaddai highlights His all-sufficiency and power, while the revelation of YHWH signifies His active presence and ability to fulfill His promises, even against the might of Pharaoh.

Linguistic Insights

  • "God Almighty": This translates the Hebrew name El Shaddai (אל שדי). This name emphasizes God's omnipotence, His all-sufficiency, and His power to bless and to make fruitful. It suggests a God who is mighty to provide and sustain, often used in contexts of blessing and covenant promises, as seen when God appeared to Abraham in Genesis 17:1. The patriarchs knew God as the powerful, sustaining God who could fulfill His promises despite human limitations.
  • "JEHOVAH": This is the KJV's anglicized rendering of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, YHWH (יהוה). This name is often translated as "LORD" (in all caps) in many English Bibles. It signifies God's self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM" - Exodus 3:14), His eternal and unchanging nature, and most significantly, His active presence and covenant-keeping relationship with His people. While the patriarchs undoubtedly experienced God's presence and faithfulness, they did not know Him by the name YHWH in the specific, experiential sense of His mighty, redemptive acts of deliverance and the fulfillment of His covenant through the Exodus. This was a new, deeper revelation of His character and power.

Practical Application

Exodus 6:3 teaches us that God reveals Himself progressively. Just as He 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.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 83:18 (11 votes)

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

  • Psalms 68:4 (11 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

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

  • Genesis 17:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ 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 (7 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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;