Exodus 3:17-20

17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’

18 “The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.’

19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.

20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.

Exodus 3:17-20 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. S Genesis 15:16; Genesis 46:4; Exodus 6:6; Joshua 24:11
• 2. S ver 8
• 3. Ex 4:1,8,31; Exodus 6:12,30
• 4. S Genesis 14:13
• 5. Numbers 23:4,16
• 6. S Genesis 30:36
• 7. Exodus 4:23; Exodus 5:1,3; Exodus 6:11; Exodus 7:16; Exodus 8:20,27; Exodus 9:13; Exodus 10:9,26
• 8. Exodus 4:21; Exodus 5:2; Exodus 6:6; Exodus 7:3; Exodus 10:1; Exodus 11:9; Deuteronomy 4:34; 2 Chronicles 6:32
• 9. Exodus 6:1,6; Exodus 7:4-5; Exodus 9:15; Exodus 13:3,9,14,16; Exodus 15:6,12; Deuteronomy 4:34,37; Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 7:8; Deuteronomy 26:8; 2 Kings 17:36; 2 Chronicles 6:32; Psalms 118:15-16; Psalms 136:12; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 63:12; Jeremiah 21:5; Jeremiah 51:25; Da Exodus 9:15
• 10. Exodus 4:21; Exodus 7:3; Exodus 11:9,10; Exodus 15:11; Exodus 34:10; Numbers 14:11; Deuteronomy 3:24; Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 6:22; Nehemiah 9:10; Psalms 71:19; Psalms 72:18; Psalms 77:14; Psalms 78:43; Psalms 86:10; Psalms 105:27; 10Deuteronomy 6:22; Psalms 135:9; Psalms 136:4; Jeremiah 32:20; Micah 7:15; Ac Exodus 7:36
• 11. Exodus 11:1; Exodus 12:31-33