Exodus 6:1

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 6:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jehovah said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for by a strong hand shall he let them go, and by a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for by a strong hand shall he let them go, and by a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.
Exodus 6:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Jehovah said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for by a strong hand shall he let them go, and by a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the Lord said unto Moses, etc.] In answer to the questions put to him, and the expostulations made with him: now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: in inflicting punishments on him: for with a strong hand shall he let them go; being forced to it by the mighty hand of God upon him; and it is by some rendered, “because of a strong hand” f167; so Jarchi; for this is not to be understood of the hand of Pharaoh, but of the hand of God: and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land: not only be willing that they should go, but be urgent upon them to be gone, (<021233>Exodus 12:33).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“RENEWAL OF THE PROMISE. (Exo 6:1-13) the Lord said unto Moses--The Lord, who is long-suffering and indulgent to the errors and infirmities of His people, made allowance for the mortification of Moses as the result of this first interview and cheered him with the assurance of a speedy and successful termination to his embassy.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“With a strong hand - That is, being forced to it by a strong hand, he shall let them go. Exodus 6:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:1-13 God renewed his promises. The offer of rescue brought the true question to the fore, the question articulated by Pharaoh: Who is the Lord (5:2)? As much as the Israelites needed rescue from bondage, their greater need was to know the Lord. The climax of God’s renewed promises was “you will know that I am the Lord your God” (6:7). 6:1 Now you will see: Far from being daunted by the questions being raised about his integrity, his ability, and his very character, God looked forward to the clash of worldviews that lay ahead. Pharaoh, thinking himself divine, would just be a pawn in the hand of the one true God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Now shalt: Exo 14:13; Num 23:23; Deu 32:39; Kg2 7:2, Kg2 7:19; Ch2 20:17; Psa 12:5 with a strong: Exo 3:19, Exo 3:20; Deu 4:34; Psa 89:13, Psa 136:12; Isa 63:12; Eze 20:33, Eze 20:34 drive them: Exo 11:1, Exo 12:31, Exo 12:33, Exo 12:39 Exodus 6:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Equipment of Moses and Aaron as Messengers of Jehovah. - Exo 6:1. In reply to the complaining inquiry of Moses, Jehovah promised him the deliverance of Israel by a strong hand (cf. Exo 3:19), by which Pharaoh would be compelled to let Israel go, and even to drive them out of his land. Moses did not receive any direct answer to the question, "Why hast Thou so evil-entreated this people?" He was to gather this first of all from his own experience as the leader of Israel. For the words were strictly applicable here: "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter" ( Joh 13:7). If, even after the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and their glorious march through…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification