And 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.

EXODUS 3:15KJV
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Exodus 3:15 (KJV)

What does Exodus 3:15 mean?

Exodus 3:15 records God telling Moses exactly what to say to the Israelites: that the LORD, the God of their ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has sent Moses to them, and that this is God’s name and memorial for all generations. The verse emphasizes the continuity of God’s relationship with Israel and the enduring importance of God’s revealed name.

In this scene, God is speaking directly to Moses at the burning bush, preparing Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. God instructs Moses to use a specific way of identifying Him to the people—connecting Himself to their forefathers and declaring His name as a lasting memorial. This assures the Israelites that the same God who made promises to their ancestors is now acting on their behalf.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 3:15

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, often pronounced “Yahweh.” It is distinct from the more general term for God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) and highlights God’s unique, covenant relationship with Israel.
  • Memorial (זֵכֶר, zekher): This word means something remembered or commemorated. Here, it signals that God’s name is meant to be recalled and honored by every generation, not just those alive at the time.
  • Ever (עוֹלָם, olam): This word can mean “forever” or “for all time.” It underlines that God’s name and identity are not temporary but are to be recognized throughout all ages.

Why Exodus 3:15 matters

  • Exodus 3:15 clarifies that God is not a new or unknown deity but the same God who made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, grounding Moses’ mission in Israel’s history.
  • The verse highlights the importance of God’s personal name (יְהוָה, YHWH), which sets Him apart from other gods and emphasizes His ongoing, faithful presence.
  • By calling His name a “memorial,” God signals that knowing and remembering who He is will be central for Israel’s faith and identity in every generation.

Where else these words appear

“memorial” Hebrew H2143 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
  • Psalms 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
  • Psalms 135:13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

“moreover” Hebrew H5750 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
  • Genesis 46:30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
  • Judges 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

“Isaac” Hebrew H3327 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
  • Genesis 26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
  • Genesis 35:27 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

“all” Hebrew H1755 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
  • Numbers 15:23 Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;
  • Psalms 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?