Exodus 3:15
What does Exodus 3:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 3:15 means
God further elaborated on His name and memorial for the Israelites, linking His self-existent name, "Jehovah" (Yahweh), with His covenant relationship to their ancestors. He instructed Moses to tell them that "Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," had sent him. This emphasized that the eternal "I AM" was also the covenant-keeping God who remembered His promises across generations. This name was to be His enduring identifier and a memorial forever.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And God went on to say to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has sent me to you: this is my name for ever, and this is my sign to all generations.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And God saith again unto Moses, `Thus dost thou say unto the sons of Israel, Jehovah, God of your fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this <FI>is<Fi> My name--to the age, and this My memorial, to generation--generation.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And God said again to Moses: Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: The Lord God of your fathers the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob hath sent me to you; this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890AndGod said moreover to Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: Jehovah, theGod of your fathers, theGod of Abraham, theGod of Isaac, and theGod of Jacob, hath sent me unto you. This is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Context
Building on the revelation of "I AM" in the previous verse, this passage expands upon God's enduring name, linking it explicitly to the Abrahamic covenant. It provides a more complete identification for Moses to use, connecting abstract divinity with historical faithfulness, thus strengthening the basis of their faith. This full name reinforces God's covenant loyalty.
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.
v.15This passage
v.16Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 145:1
I will extol thee, my God, O King; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
- Genesis 17:7
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
- Exodus 3:6
Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
- Psalms 72:19
And blessed be his glorious name for ever; And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.
- Acts 7:32
I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
- 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.
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