Exodus 6:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 6:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am Jehovah:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am Jehovah:
Exodus 6:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am Jehovah:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord.] Or Jehovah, the self-existent Being, the Being of beings, the everlasting I am, the unchangeable Jehovah, true, firm, and constant to his promises, ever to be believed, and always to be depended on.”
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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
“And God spake unto Moses--For his further encouragement, there was made to him an emphatic repetition of the promise (Exo 3:20).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There appears to have been an interval of some months between the preceding events and this renewal of the promise to Moses. The oppression in the meantime was not merely driving the people to desperation, but preparing them by severe labor, varied by hasty wanderings in search of stubble, for the exertions and privations of the wilderness. Hence, the formal and solemn character of the announcements in the whole chapter. Exodus 6:2 I am the Lord ... - The meaning seems to be this: “I am Jehovah (Yahweh), and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but as to my name Jehovah, I was not made known to them.” In other words, the full import of that name was not disclosed to them.…”
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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
“l am Jehovah - The same with I am that I am, the fountain of being and blessedness, and infinite perfection. The patriarchs knew this name, but they did not know him in this matter by that which this name signifies. God would now be known by his name Jehovah, that is, A God performing what he had promised, and so giving being to his promises. A God perfecting what he had begun, and finishing his own work. In the history of the creation God is never called Jehovah, till the heavens and the earth were finished, Gen 2:4. When the salvation of the saints is compleated in eternal life, then he will be known by his name Jehovah, Rev 22:13, in the mean time they shall find him for their strength…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:2-8 Once again, God forcefully linked his promises to the patriarchs (Abraham’s family) with what he was about to do. God’s work in history shows his faithfulness. He has made promises, and he will keep them. God also wished to reveal more of himself than he had been able to do with the patriarchs. This generation would know more of God and his intentions than Abraham had, particularly regarding the implications of the covenant (6:4-5). Why does God redeem (6:6)? Why did he reveal himself to Abraham in the first place? God wanted the Israelites to be his own people, and he wanted to be their God (6:7). God’s goal is for humanity to be in a lovingly submissive covenant relationship with…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I am the Lord: or, Jehovah, Exo 6:6, Exo 6:8, Exo 14:18, Exo 17:1, Exo 20:2; Gen 15:7; Isa 42:8, Isa 43:11, Isa 43:15, Isa 44:6; Jer 9:24; Mal 3:6; Act 17:24, Act 17:25 Exodus 6:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification