Exodus 3 - Introduction

Exodus 3:1 to Exodus 6:1

First account (JE) of the call and commission of Moses

Moses, in a vision at Horeb, is commissioned by Jehovah to deliver His people from their oppression in Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10). Four difficulties anticipated by him are in succession removed: Jehovah promises him His support (Exodus 3:11-12); He declares to him His name, and assures him that, when the Israelites hear that the God of their fathers has sent him, they will listen to what he tells them (Exodus 3:13-22); to meet the contingency of their refusing to do this, he is empowered to work three signs, for the purpose of satisfying them of his commission (Exodus 4:1-9); and when he objects that he has no fluency of speech, to convince or persuade doubters, his brother Aaron is appointed to speak on his behalf (Exodus 4:10-17). Moses thereupon obtains permission from Jethro to visit his brethren in Egypt; he meets Aaron in the wilderness; the two brothers return to Egypt together, and the people listen to them gladly (Exodus 4:18-31). Moses and Aaron next ask permission of the Pharaoh for the Israelites to keep a three days festival in the wilderness, but this is peremptorily refused by him (Exodus 5:1-18): Jehovah, however, promises that He will nevertheless Himself effect His people's deliverance (Exodus 5:19 to Exodus 6:1).

The narrative, when examined closely, shews marks of composition. In ch. 3 the main narrative is E (notice the frequency of Godin vv.4, 6b, 11, 12, 13a, 14a, 15a), with shorter passages from the parallel narrative of J; in Exodus 4:1 to Exodus 6:1, on the contrary, the main narrative is J, with short passages from E (see the notes on Exodus 4:17-18; Exodus 4:20; Exodus 4:27 f.).