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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 3:11 But Moses asked God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/3-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_03_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 3:11 - Moses at the Burning Bush" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Moses asked God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/3-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/3-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/3-10.htm" title="Exodus 3:10">◄</a> Exodus 3:11 <a href="/exodus/3-12.htm" title="Exodus 3:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, &#8220Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Moses said unto God, Who <i>am</i> I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, “Who <i>am</i> I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, &#8220Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses asked God, &#8220Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But Moses said, "Who am I to go to the king and lead your people out of Egypt?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, "I am nobody. How can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But Moses told God, "Who am I? How can I go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelis out of Egypt?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses asked God, ?Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, or that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Moses says to God, “Who [am] I, that I go to Pharaoh, and that I bring out the sons of Israel from Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Moses saith unto God, 'Who am I, that I go unto Pharaoh, and that I bring out the sons of Israel from Egypt?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Moses will say to God, Who am I that I shall go to Pharaoh, and that I shall bring forth the sons of Israel, out of Egypt?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Moses said to God: Who am I that I should go to Pharao, and should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should lead the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Moshe said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring out the house of Israel from Egypt?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Moses said unto God: 'Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharao king of Egypt, and that I should bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/3-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=494" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/3.htm">Moses at the Burning Bush</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.” <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">But Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">am I,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ’ê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">I should go</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: par·‘ōh (N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: wə·ḵî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: ’ō·w·ṣî (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">bring</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: mim·miṣ·rā·yim (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">out of Egypt?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-15.htm">Judges 6:15</a></span><br />“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-6.htm">Jeremiah 1:6</a></span><br />“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-21.htm">1 Samuel 9:21</a></span><br />Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a></span><br />Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7</a></span><br />And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/2-16.htm">2 Corinthians 2:16</a></span><br />To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-9.htm">1 Corinthians 15:9</a></span><br />For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-22.htm">Acts 7:22-25</a></span><br />So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. / When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. / And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-13.htm">Philippians 4:13</a></span><br />I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5-6</a></span><br />Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Isaiah 41:14</a></span><br />Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-19.htm">Matthew 10:19-20</a></span><br />But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-5.htm">John 15:5</a></span><br />I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Hebrews 11:24-27</a></span><br />By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-12.htm">1 Timothy 1:12-16</a></span><br />I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. / I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. / And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Exodus 4:10-13</a></b></br> And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I <i>am</i> not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I <i>am</i> slow of speech, and of a slow tongue… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12</a></b></br> And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who <i>am</i> of uncircumcised lips?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-18.htm">1 Samuel 18:18</a></b></br> And David said unto Saul, Who <i>am</i> I? and what <i>is</i> my life, <i>or</i> my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Pharaoh</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/3-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/3-12.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/3-12.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/exodus/3-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/3-13.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/exodus/3-13.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/4-21.htm">Pharaoh</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Moses keeps Jethro's flock.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">God appears to him in a burning bush.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/3-9.htm">He sends him to deliver Israel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/3-13.htm">The name of God.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/3-15.htm">His message to Israel, and Pharaoh, whose opposition is foretold.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/3-20.htm">He is assured of Israel's deliverance.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But Moses asked God,</b><br>Moses' encounter with God occurs at the burning bush on Mount Horeb, a significant moment in biblical history. This phrase highlights Moses' direct communication with God, a rare and profound experience. Moses' question reflects his humility and self-doubt, a common human response when faced with a divine calling. This interaction sets the stage for Moses' role as a prophet and leader, emphasizing the personal relationship between God and His chosen servants.<p><b>“Who am I,</b><br>Moses' question reveals his feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness. Having fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian, Moses spent 40 years in Midian as a shepherd, a stark contrast to his earlier life in Pharaoh's palace. This period of exile likely contributed to his sense of insignificance. His question echoes the sentiments of other biblical figures, such as Gideon (<a href="/judges/6-15.htm">Judges 6:15</a>) and Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/1-6.htm">Jeremiah 1:6</a>), who also expressed doubt about their capabilities when called by God.<p><b>that I should go to Pharaoh</b><br>Pharaoh was the most powerful ruler of the time, and Egypt was a dominant empire. Moses' task to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites was daunting. Historically, Pharaohs were considered divine figures, making Moses' mission even more intimidating. This phrase underscores the magnitude of the challenge and the courage required to stand before such authority. It also foreshadows the conflict between God's power and human authority.<p><b>and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”</b><br>The Israelites had been in Egypt for over 400 years, initially as honored guests during Joseph's time, but later as enslaved people. Moses' mission to lead them out of bondage is a pivotal moment in biblical history, marking the beginning of the Exodus. This event is a type of Christ's redemptive work, as Moses acts as a deliverer, prefiguring Jesus' role in delivering humanity from sin. The liberation of the Israelites fulfills God's promise to Abraham (<a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13-14</a>) and sets the stage for the establishment of Israel as a nation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>A Hebrew by birth, raised in Pharaoh's palace, and later a shepherd in Midian. He is chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty, who appears to Moses in the form of a burning bush, commissioning him for the task of liberating the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt, representing the oppressive force keeping the Israelites in slavery.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are enslaved in Egypt and crying out for deliverance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites are enslaved, representing a place of bondage and oppression.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_our_limitations.htm">Recognizing Our Limitations</a></b><br>Moses' question, "Who am I?" reflects a humble recognition of his own limitations. As believers, acknowledging our weaknesses is the first step toward relying on God's strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_call_and_our_inadequacy.htm">God's Call and Our Inadequacy</a></b><br>God often calls us to tasks that seem beyond our capabilities. Like Moses, we may feel inadequate, but God equips those He calls.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_assurance.htm">Divine Assurance</a></b><br>God's response to Moses is not about Moses' ability but about God's presence. Our confidence should rest in God's promise to be with us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_over_fear.htm">Faith Over Fear</a></b><br>Moses' initial fear and doubt are common human reactions. Faith involves trusting God's plan and His ability to work through us despite our fears.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purpose_in_god's_plan.htm">Purpose in God's Plan</a></b><br>Each believer has a role in God's redemptive plan. Understanding our identity in Christ helps us embrace our God-given purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_lessons_do_moses_and_aaron_teach.htm">What lessons does the story of Moses and Aaron teach?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_lessons_from_moses'_life.htm">What lessons does Moses' life teach us?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_should_questions_be_submitted.htm">How should questions be submitted?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/benefits_of_studying_theology.htm">Why did God kill Egypt's firstborn children?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">Who am I, that I should go?</span>--The men most fit for great missions are apt to deem themselves unfit. When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, his reply was, "O Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child" ( <a href="/jeremiah/1-6.htm" title="Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.">Jeremiah 1:6</a>). St. Ambrose fought hard to escape being made Archbishop of Milan. Augustine was loth to undertake the mission to England. Anselm was with difficulty persuaded to accept the headship of our Church in the evil days of Rufus. The first impression of a fit man selected for a high post generally is, "Who am I?" In Moses's case, though there were some manifest grounds of fitness--<span class= "ital">e.g., </span>his Egyptian training and learning, his familiarity with the court. his knowledge of both nations and both languages--yet, on the other hand, there were certain very marked (apparent) disqualifications. Forty years of exile, and of a shepherd's life had at once unfitted him for dealing with a court, and made him a stranger to his brethren. Want of eloquence seemed to be a fatal defect in one who must work mainly by persuasion. Even his age (eighty) might well have seemed to him unsuitable.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Moses said... Who am I, that I should go</span>, etc. A great change had come over Moses. Forty years earlier he had been forward to offer himself as a "deliverer." He "went out" to his brethren and slew one of their oppressors, and "supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them" (<a href="/acts/7-25.htm">Acts 7:25</a>). "But they understood not" (<span class="accented">ibid</span>.) They declined to accept him for leader, they reproached him with setting himself up to be "a ruler and a judge" over them. And now, taught by this lesson, and sobered by forty years of inaction, he has become timid and distrustful of himself, and shrinks from putting himself forward. <span class="cmt_word">Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?</span> What weight can I, a foreigner, forty years an exile, with the manners of a rough shepherd, expect to have with the mighty monarch of all Egypt - the son of Rameses the Great, the inheritor of his power and his glories? And again, <span class="cmt_word">Who am I, that I should bring forth the children of Israel?</span> What weight can I expect to have with my countrymen, who will have forgotten me - whom, moreover, I could not influence when I was,in my full vigour - who then "refused" my guidance and forced me to quit them? True diffidence speaks in the words used - there is no ring of insincerity in them; Moses was now as distrustful of himself as in former days he had been confident, and when he had become fit to be a deliverer, ceased to think himself fit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/3-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁה֙</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am I,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹ֔כִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I should go</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֵ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Pharaoh</span><br /><span class="heb">פַּרְעֹ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(par·‘ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bring the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">out</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹצִ֛יא</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·ṣî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Egypt?”</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·miṣ·rā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/3-11.htm">OT Law: Exodus 3:11 Moses said to God Who am (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/3-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 3:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 3:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/3-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 3:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 3:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>