Exodus 3:10 (KJV)

What does Exodus 3:10 mean?

Exodus 3:10 records God telling Moses to go to Pharaoh in Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. God is commissioning Moses to act as His representative to free His people from Egyptian oppression.

In this verse, God speaks directly to Moses from the burning bush, making it clear that Moses is being chosen for a specific mission. The verse sets up the central conflict of the story: God’s people, the Israelites, are enslaved in Egypt, and God is now sending Moses to confront Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 3:10

• "Come" (יֵלֵךְ, yālaḵ): This word often means "go" or "come," and here it signals a call to action, not just an invitation but a command for Moses to step into his new role.
• "Send" (שָׁלַח, shālaḥ): This verb means "to send" or "to dispatch." God is not just asking Moses to go; He is officially commissioning and authorizing Moses for this task.
• "Pharaoh" (פַּרְעֹה, par‘ōh): This is the Egyptian king’s title, not a personal name, emphasizing Moses will face the highest authority in Egypt.
• "Forth" (יָצָא, yāṣā’): This verb means "to bring out" or "to lead out," highlighting that Moses is to actively lead the Israelites out of Egypt, not just ask for their release.
• "People" (עַם, ‘am): This word refers to a group with a shared identity; here, it stresses the Israelites as God’s chosen community.
• "Children" (בֵּן, ben): Literally "sons," but commonly used for "descendants" or "children," pointing to the Israelites as the offspring of Jacob (Israel).
• "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra’el): The national name for the descendants of Jacob, underlining their identity as God’s covenant people.
• "Egypt" (מִצְרַיִם, Mitsrayim): The land where the Israelites are enslaved, making the deliverance both a physical and symbolic act.

Why Exodus 3:10 matters

• Exodus 3:10 makes it clear that God’s rescue of Israel is not a vague hope but a specific mission given to a specific person, Moses, showing God’s personal involvement in history.
• The verse highlights the courage required: Moses is being sent to confront Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler of the time, which sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow.
• By calling the Israelites "my people," God emphasizes His relationship with them, showing that their deliverance is rooted in His commitment and promise to them.