And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

EXODUS 3:17KJV
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Exodus 3:17 (KJV)

What does Exodus 3:17 mean?

Exodus 3:17 records God’s promise to bring the Israelites out of their suffering in Egypt and lead them to a new land, described as “flowing with milk and honey,” which belongs to several different peoples. The verse highlights both the end of Israel’s hardship and the specific, abundant land God intends to give them.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses at the burning bush, explaining what He will do for the Israelites. God lists the groups currently living in the land—Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—to make clear exactly where the Israelites will go. The phrase “flowing with milk and honey” paints a picture of a rich, fertile place, contrasting with the “affliction” (hard labor and suffering) the Israelites have known in Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 3:17

  • “Affliction” (עֳנִי, ʿoniy) refers to deep suffering or oppression, emphasizing the harsh conditions the Israelites endured in Egypt.
  • “Bring” (עָלָה, ʿalah) means to go up or lead up, suggesting a movement from a low, oppressed state to a higher, better place.
  • “Flowing” (זָבַת, zavat) describes something overflowing or abundant, so “a land flowing with milk and honey” emphasizes the richness and plenty of the promised land.
  • “Milk” (חָלָב, chalav) and “honey” (דְּבַשׁ, devash) are symbols of nourishment and sweetness, underlining the idea of a land that will meet all their needs.

Why Exodus 3:17 matters

  • Exodus 3:17 clarifies that God’s promise is not just to free the Israelites from slavery but to give them a specific, good land, showing both deliverance and provision.
  • By naming the peoples in the land, the verse sets up the challenges ahead and the scope of God’s promise, which will shape the rest of Israel’s journey.
  • The description of the land as “flowing with milk and honey” becomes a key image throughout the Bible, symbolizing God’s generosity and faithfulness to His people.

Where else these words appear

“Perizzites” Hebrew H6522 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Deuteronomy 7:1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
  • Joshua 24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

“Hivites” Hebrew H2340 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 10:17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
  • Exodus 34:11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
  • Joshua 12:8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

“affliction” Hebrew H6040 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
  • Nehemiah 9:9 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
  • Psalms 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

“Jebusites” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 11:3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
  • 2 Samuel 24:18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.