Exodus 3:7
What does Exodus 3:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 3:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 3:7 means
God affirmed His deep awareness and concern for the suffering of His people, the Israelites, in Egypt. He had "surely seen" their affliction, "heard their cry" under the harsh taskmasters, and "knew their sorrows." This verse demonstrates God's active involvement and compassion, dispelling any notion that He was distant or unaware of their plight. It reveals a God who is intimately acquainted with the pain of His people and is moved to action by their distress.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jehovah said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people that are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jehovah said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people that are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And God said, Truly, I have seen the grief of my people in Egypt, and their cry because of their cruel masters has come to my ears; for I have knowledge of their sorrows;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jehovah saith, `I have certainly seen the affliction of My people who <FI>are<Fi> in Egypt, and their cry I have heard, because of its exactors, for I have known its pains;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Lord said to him: I have seen the affliction of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry because of the rigour of them that are over the works;
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jehovah said, I have seen assuredly the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and their cry have I heard on account of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.
Context
After revealing His identity as the God of the patriarchs, this verse shifts to God's motivation for intervention. It directly addresses the suffering of the Israelites, providing the crucial reason for the impending divine action. This compassionate declaration sets the stage for God's explicit plan to deliver His people.
v.6Moreover 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.
v.7This passage
v.8and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 29:32
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Because Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.
- Psalms 34:6
This poor man cried, and Jehovah heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
- Psalms 142:3
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me.
- Psalms 22:24
For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Neither hath he hid his face from him; But when he cried unto him, he heard.
- Psalms 34:4
I sought Jehovah, and he answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
- Isaiah 63:9
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
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