Exodus 3:1-6

Moses at the Burning Bush

1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, ^[a] the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, ^[b] the mountain of God. ¹

2 There the angel ^[c] of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed.

3 So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?”

4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.

5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” ^[d]

6 Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” ^[e] At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Exodus 3:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 2

In this chapter we are informed how that the Lord appeared to Moses in a bush on fire, but not consumed, Ex 3:1-6, declared unto him that he had seen and observed the afflictions of the children of Israel, and was determined to deliver them, Ex 3:7-9, that he gave him a call to be the deliverer of them, answered his objections to it, and instructed him what he should say, both to the elders of Israel and to Pharaoh, Ex 3:10-18, and assured him, that though at first Pharaoh would refuse to let them go, yet after many miracles wrought, he would be willing to dismiss them, when they should depart with great substance, Ex 3:19-22.

Cross References

• 1. (Acts 7:30–38)

Footnotes

• [a] Moses’ father-in-law Jethro was also called Reuel; see Exodus 2:18.
• [b] That is, Mount Sinai, or possibly a mountain in the range containing Mount Sinai
• [c] Or Angel
• [d] Cited in Acts 7:33
• [e] Cited in Matthew 22:32, Mark 12:26, Luke 20:37, and Acts 7:32