Exodus 3:2
What does Exodus 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 3:2 means
While at Mount Horeb, Moses witnessed a truly miraculous sight: a bush ablaze with fire, yet miraculously, it was not consumed. This was not an ordinary fire, but a divine manifestation, with "the angel of Jehovah" appearing within the flames. The unconsumed bush served as a physical sign of God's holy presence and power, a visual paradox intended to capture Moses's attention and draw him into the sacred moment. It was a visible demonstration of God's supernatural nature.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the angel of the Lord 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the angel of the Lord was seen by him in a flame of fire coming out of a thorn-tree: and he saw that the tree was on fire, but it was not burned up.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there appeareth unto him a messenger of Jehovah in a flame of fire, out of the midst of the bush, and he seeth, and lo, the bush is burning with fire, and the bush is not consumed.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he saw that the bush was on fire, and was not burnt.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Angel of Jehovah appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a thorn-bush: and he looked, and behold, the thorn-bush burned with fire, and the thorn-bush was not being consumed.
Context
Following Moses's arrival at the mountain, this verse introduces the central miraculous event of the burning bush. It immediately captures the reader's attention with its description of the inexplicable phenomenon, setting the stage for Moses's closer investigation and God's subsequent direct address. This event is the catalyst for the entire chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 16:7
And the angel of Jehovah found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
- Isaiah 43:2
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
- 2 Corinthians 1:8
For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
- Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.
- Psalms 66:12
Thou didst cause men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
- Genesis 22:15
And the angel of Jehovah called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven,
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