Exodus

Chapter 6

Summary

Exodus 6 records the LORD’s powerful reassurance to Moses, promising that Pharaoh would soon be compelled to let the people go. God reaffirmed His covenant, declaring Himself as the LORD who would redeem Israel with an outstretched arm and mighty acts of judgement. The chapter includes a genealogy of Moses and Aaron, establishing their priestly and leadership credentials within the tribes of Levi. Despite the weight of their current despair, God commanded Moses and Aaron to return to Pharaoh once more, setting the final stage for the great plagues that would soon fall upon Egypt. The revelation of the Divine Name in this chapter emphasizes that while the patriarchs knew the Word, Moses and his generation would now witness the supreme Power behind the Name.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I am going to do to Pharaoh. Because of my powerful hand, he will not only let them go, but he will actually drive them out of his land!"

God spoke further to Moses and said, "I am the LORD."

"I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but I did not reveal my sacred name, the LORD, to them."

"I also established my promise with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they lived as foreigners."

"Now I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians have forced into slavery, and I have remembered my promise."

"Therefore, tell the Israelites: 'I am the LORD. I will free you from the heavy burdens of the Egyptians and rescue you from your slavery. I will redeem you with a [1] (powerful display of my strength) and with great acts of judgement.'"

"'I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the hard labour of the Egyptians.'"

"'I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your own [2] (permanent possession). I am the LORD.'"

Moses told this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him. They were too discouraged by their cruel slavery and deep emotional pain.

Then the LORD said to Moses,

"Go back in and tell Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to let the Israelites leave his country."

But Moses argued with the LORD, "Look, if my own people won't listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen? I am a very poor speaker."

But the LORD spoke to both Moses and Aaron, giving them a direct command to the Israelites and to Pharaoh. He ordered them to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.

These are the heads of the ancestral families: The sons of Reuben (Israel’s firstborn) were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These were the families of Reuben.

The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul (whose mother was a Canaanite woman). These were the families of Simeon.

These are the names of the sons of Levi, listed by their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived for 137 years.

The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, with their families.

The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived for 133 years.

The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the families of Levi, listed by their generations.

Amram married his father’s sister, Jochebed, and she gave birth to Aaron and Moses. Amram lived for 137 years.

The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri.

The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.

Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon. She gave birth to Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the Korahite families.

Eleazar, Aaron’s son, married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she gave birth to Phinehas. These were the leaders of the Levite families.

These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Bring the Israelites out of Egypt like an organised army."

They are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, about bringing the Israelites out. These were Moses and Aaron.

At that time, when the LORD spoke to Moses in Egypt,

He said, "I am the LORD. Tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, everything I am telling you."

But Moses repeated his concern to the LORD, "I am such a poor speaker, why would Pharaoh ever listen to me?"

Notes

[1]Hebrew: זְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה (Zeroa netuyah). Literally 'an outstretched arm.' A symbol of active, invincible divine power, contrasting with Pharaoh's 'mighty hand'.

[2]Hebrew: מוֹרָשָׁה (Morashah). A possession or inheritance. Unlike a gift that can be lost, this is a permanent legal entitlement based on the divine oath.

Summary

Notes

[1]Hebrew: זְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה (Zeroa netuyah). Literally 'an outstretched arm.' A symbol of active, invincible divine power, contrasting with Pharaoh's 'mighty hand'.

[2]Hebrew: מוֹרָשָׁה (Morashah). A possession or inheritance. Unlike a gift that can be lost, this is a permanent legal entitlement based on the divine oath.