Exodus 3:13
What does Exodus 3:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 3:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 3:13 means
Moses raised a new concern, anticipating the Israelites' skepticism. He foresaw their question about God's name, especially since God had just referred to Himself simply as "the God of your fathers." Moses recognized the need for a specific, authoritative name to present to a people long away from conscious worship of God, a name that would convey both identity and authority. He needed to know what to say to convince them that he truly had a divine message.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Moses said to God, When I come to the children of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you: and they say to me, What is his name? what am I to say to them?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Moses saith unto God, `Lo, I am coming unto the sons of Israel, and have said to them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you, and they have said to me, What <FI>is<Fi> His name? what do I say unto them?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Moses said to God: Lo, I shall go to the children of Israel, and say to them: The God of your fathers hath sent me to you. If they shall say to me: What is his name? What shall I say to them?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Moses said toGod, Behold, [when] I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, TheGod of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
Context
Following God's assurance of His presence, Moses continues to voice practical concerns. This verse introduces the critical question of God's name, highlighting the importance of divine identity in securing the people's belief. This objection sets the stage for God's profound self-revelation in the verses that immediately follow.
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.
v.13This passage
v.14And 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 23:6
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.
- Judges 13:17
And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, What is thy name, that, when thy words come to pass, we may do thee honor?
- Matthew 1:23
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Exodus 15:3
Jehovah is a man of war: Jehovah is his name.
- Judges 13:6
Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of the angel of God, very terrible; and I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:
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