Devine Scripture

Exodus 3:11

What does Exodus 3:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Exodus 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Exodus 3:11 means

Moses immediately reacted to God's monumental commission with profound humility and self-doubt. He questioned his own capability, asking, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" This sincere question revealed his awareness of his own human limitations in the face of such an overwhelming task. It was not a refusal, but an expression of unworthiness and a recognition that the task far exceeded his natural abilities.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Moses said to God, Who am I to go to Pharaoh and take the children of Israel out of Egypt?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Moses saith unto God, `Who <FI>am<Fi> I, that I go unto Pharaoh, and that I bring out the sons of Israel from Egypt?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Moses said to God: Who am I that I should go to Pharao, and should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Moses said toGod, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Context

This verse directly follows God's commission of Moses, showing Moses's immediate human reaction of inadequacy. His self-doubt sets up God's subsequent reassurances, demonstrating a classic pattern of divine calling and human apprehension. This objection is the first of several Moses will raise.

v.10Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

v.11This passage

v.12And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be the token unto thee, that I have sent thee: when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Exodus 4:10

    And Moses said unto Jehovah, Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

  • 1 Kings 3:9

    Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?

  • Acts 7:23

    But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

  • Isaiah 6:5

    Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.

  • Exodus 6:12

    And Moses spake before Jehovah, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

  • 2 Corinthians 2:16

    to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

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