Exodus 3:1
What does Exodus 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 3:1 means
Moses, having fled Egypt years earlier, was now a shepherd in Midian, tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro. His duties led him to an extraordinary place: "the mountain of God," also known as Horeb. This was a significant and solitary journey, bringing him to a place that would later become a cornerstone of Israel's history. This verse establishes Moses's humble circumstances and the remote setting for his divine encounter, highlighting God's ability to call ordinary people in unexpected places.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now Moses was looking after the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he took the flock to the back of the waste land and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Moses hath been feeding the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, priest of Midian, and he leadeth the flock behind the wilderness, and cometh in unto the mount of God, to Horeb;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now Moses fed the sheep of Jethro, his father in law, the priest of Madian: and he drove the flock to the inner parts of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, Horeb.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Moses tended the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock behind the wilderness, and came to the mountain ofGod — to Horeb.
Context
This verse opens the chapter by setting the scene for Moses's encounter with God. It establishes Moses's location and occupation, providing the necessary background for the miraculous event that immediately follows. Understanding Moses's daily routine as a shepherd makes the impending divine interruption all the more striking and unexpected.
v.1This passage
v.2And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 17:6
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
- Deuteronomy 1:6
Jehovah our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mountain:
- Exodus 18:1
Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt.
- Exodus 19:11
and be ready against the third day; for the third day Jehovah will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
- Exodus 2:21
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
- Exodus 4:27
And Jehovah said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mountain of God, and kissed him.
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