Moses shifts from his typical role as law-giver to vulnerable complainant, using accusatory language ("why have you brought trouble") that appears nowhere else in his recorded dialogues with God.
Exodus 6
1The LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh, for by a strong hand he shall let them go, and by a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land.”
God's Covenant Renewed
2God spoke to Moses, and said to him, “I am the LORD.
3I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name the LORD I was not known to them.
4I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens.
5Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant.
6Therefore tell the children of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments.
7I will take you to myself for a people. I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am the LORD.’”
9Moses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn’t listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
10The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
11“Go in, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.”
12Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the children of Israel haven’t listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, when I have uncircumcised lips?”
13The LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a command to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
Genealogy of Moses and Aaron
14These are the heads of their fathers’ houses. The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben.
15The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon.
16These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari; and the years of the life of Levi were one hundred thirty-seven years.
17The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families.
18The sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years.
19The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.
20Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. The years of the life of Amram were one hundred thirty-seven years.
21The sons of Izhar: Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
22The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.
23Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
24The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.
25Eleazar Aaron’s son took one of the daughters of Putiel as his wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families.
26These are that Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.”
27These are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron.
Moses and Aaron's Commission
28On the day when the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,
29The LORD said to Moses, “I am the LORD. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I tell you.”
30Moses said before the LORD, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh listen to me?”
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Theme
Following Moses' complaint about his failed initial encounter with Pharaoh, God reassures him with renewed promises of deliverance, revealing his covenant name YHWH and connecting the coming exodus to his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The chapter includes a genealogical record establishing Moses and Aaron's Levitical lineage, demonstrating their legitimate authority as God's chosen leaders. Despite the people's initial unresponsiveness due to their harsh bondage, God reaffirms his commission to Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel out of Egypt.
Context
This chapter directly addresses Moses' discouragement from chapter 5's failed confrontation with Pharaoh, while preparing for the dramatic plagues that will begin in chapter 7.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-9 God's Renewed Promise of Deliverance God responds to Moses' discouragement with powerful assurances of liberation and covenant fulfillment, though the people remain too broken to listen.
- 10-13 Moses' Continued Reluctance and Divine Commission Despite Moses' protests about his inadequacy, God commands both Moses and Aaron to approach Pharaoh and lead the exodus.
- 14-25 Genealogy of Moses and Aaron A detailed family record traces the Levitical lineage of Moses and Aaron, establishing their legitimate priestly authority.
- 26-30 Confirmation of Moses and Aaron's Mission The narrative returns to emphasize that these genealogically verified leaders are indeed God's chosen instruments for Israel's deliverance.
Moses' Complaint and God's Promise
5:22–6:1 narrative dialogue anguished
Moses complains to God about the worsening situation for the Israelites, and God promises that Pharaoh will be compelled by divine power to release the people.
person_contrast
Moses shifts from his typical role as law-giver to vulnerable complainant, using accusatory language ("why have you brought trouble") that appears nowhere else in his recorded dialogues with God.
God's Covenant Renewed
6:2–6:13 narrative speech hopeful
God renews His covenant promise to Moses, declaring His intention to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage and bring them to the promised land. Moses expresses doubt about his ability to convince both the Israelites and Pharaoh.
person_contrast
Moses, typically associated with law and obedience, here receives the patriarchal covenant promises, bridging Israel's ancestral heritage with their future legal framework.
Genealogy of Moses and Aaron
6:14–6:27 genealogy narration solemn
A genealogical record tracing the lineage of Moses and Aaron through the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and especially Levi. This establishes their legitimate authority as leaders chosen by God to deliver Israel from Egypt.
person_contrast
Moses, typically portrayed as the solitary lawgiver, appears here embedded within extensive family lineages, transforming him from isolated prophet into legitimate tribal heir with deep ancestral roots.
Moses and Aaron's Commission
6:28–7:7 narrative dialogue solemn
God commissions Moses and Aaron for their mission to Pharaoh, establishing their roles and predicting Pharaoh's resistance. Moses expresses continued reluctance about his speaking ability, but they obey God's commands.
person_contrast
Moses's repeated complaint about "uncircumcised lips" (6:30, echoing 6:12) creates a literary inclusio that frames God's commissioning speech, emphasizing divine authority overriding human inadequacy.
Insights
Moses, typically associated with law and obedience, here receives the patriarchal covenant promises, bridging Israel's ancestral heritage with their future legal framework.
Moses, typically portrayed as the solitary lawgiver, appears here embedded within extensive family lineages, transforming him from isolated prophet into legitimate tribal heir with deep ancestral roots.
Moses's repeated complaint about "uncircumcised lips" (6:30, echoing 6:12) creates a literary inclusio that frames God's commissioning speech, emphasizing divine authority overriding human inadequacy.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Exodus 6:3 5 references
Lexicals 5
Genesis 48:3 Lexical
Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
Genesis 35:27 Lexical
Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as foreigners…
Exodus 33:1 Lexical
The LORD spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people that you have brought up out of the land of Egypt,…
Exodus 3:15 Lexical
God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of…
Genesis 31:53 Lexical
The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of hi…
Exodus 6:5 1 reference
Exodus 6:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
Genesis 35:27 Lexical
Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as foreigners…
Exodus 33:1 Lexical
The LORD spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people that you have brought up out of the land of Egypt,…
Exodus 3:15 Lexical
God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of…
Genesis 31:53 Lexical
The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of hi…
Exodus 3:6 Lexical
Moreover he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid h…
Exodus 6:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 5:3 Lexical
the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Genesis 46:9 Lexical
The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Numbers 26:5 Lexical
Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of th…
Numbers 26:6 Lexical
of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
Numbers 1:20 Lexical
The children of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to…
Exodus 6:15 3 references
Lexicals 3
Genesis 46:10 Lexical
The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.
Numbers 26:12 Lexical
The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites;…
1 Chronicles 4:24 Lexical
The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul;
Exodus 6:16 4 references
Lexicals 4
Numbers 3:17 Lexical
These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
1 Chronicles 23:6 Lexical
David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Genesis 46:11 Lexical
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Numbers 26:57 Lexical
These are those who were counted of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Koha…
Exodus 6:17 1 reference
Exodus 6:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 23:12 Lexical
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
Numbers 3:19 Lexical
The sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
1 Chronicles 3:4 Lexical
six were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusa…
2 Samuel 5:5 Lexical
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Isra…
1 Chronicles 29:27 Lexical
The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three year…
Exodus 6:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Numbers 3:20 Lexical
The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’…
1 Chronicles 24:26 Lexical
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno.
1 Chronicles 23:21 Lexical
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
1 Chronicles 24:30 Lexical
The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses.
1 Chronicles 23:23 Lexical
The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
Exodus 6:20 1 reference
Exodus 6:21 1 reference
Exodus 6:22 2 references
Exodus 6:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
Numbers 26:60 Lexical
To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
Numbers 3:4 Lexical
Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they…
Numbers 3:2 Lexical
These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Exodus 28:1 Lexical
“Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to…
1 Chronicles 24:1 Lexical
These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Exodus 6:24 1 reference
Exodus 6:25 5 references
Lexicals 5
Ezra 8:33 Lexical
On the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth…
Judges 20:28 Lexical
and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days), saying, “Shall I yet again go out to…
Numbers 25:7 Lexical
When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the middle of the congregation,…
Ezra 7:5 Lexical
the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest—
Joshua 24:33 Lexical
Eleazar the son of Aaron died. They buried him in the hill of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill country…
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Translation Notes
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Historical Context
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Exodus
c. 1446 BCIsrael's miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery under Moses' leadership, including the ten plagues and Red Sea crossing. This foundational event established Israel as God's chosen nation.
God renews His covenant promise to deliver Israel from Egyptian slavery.
God's Covenant Renewed