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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 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, "Moses, Moses!" "Here I am," he answered.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/3-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/02_Exo_03_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 3:4 - Moses at the Burning Bush" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, Moses, Moses! 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Moses!&#8221 And Moses said, &#8220Here I am.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> When the LORD saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. <a href="/esv/exodus/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” <a href="/bsb/exodus/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. <a href="/kjv/exodus/3.htm">King James Bible</a> And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. <a href="/nkjv/exodus/3.htm">New King James Version</a> So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” <a href="/nasb/exodus/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, &#8220Moses, Moses!&#8221 And he said, &#8220Here I am.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush, and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” <a href="/lsb/exodus/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Yahweh saw that he turned aside to look, so God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” <a href="/amp/exodus/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he turned away [from the flock] to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” <a href="/csb/exodus/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses! ” “Here I am,” he answered. <a href="/hcsb/exodus/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, &#8220Moses, Moses!"&#8221 Here I am,&#8221 he answered.&#8221 <a href="/asv/exodus/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when Jehovah saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. <a href="/cev/exodus/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When the LORD saw Moses coming near, he called him by name from the bush, and Moses answered, "Here I am." <a href="/erv/exodus/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. <a href="/gwt/exodus/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When the LORD saw that Moses had come over to see it, God called to him from the bush, "Moses, Moses!" Moses answered, "Here I am!" <a href="/gnt/exodus/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> When the LORD saw that Moses was coming closer, he called to him from the middle of the bush and said, "Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Yes, here I am." <a href="/isv/exodus/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from the center of the bush, "Moses! Moses!" He said, "Here I am." <a href="/msb/exodus/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, ?Moses, Moses!? ?Here I am,? he answered. <a href="/net/exodus/3.htm">NET Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to look, God called to him from within the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." <a href="/nheb/exodus/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, "Moses. Moses." He said, "Here I am." <a href="/wbt/exodus/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. <a href="/web/exodus/3.htm">World English Bible</a> When Yahweh saw that he came over to see, God called to him out of the middle of the bush, and said, “Moses! Moses!” He said, “Here I am.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And YHWH sees that he has turned aside to see, and God calls to him out of the midst of the bush and says, “Moses! Moses!” And he says, “Here I [am].” <a href="/ylt/exodus/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Jehovah seeth that he hath turned aside to see, and God calleth unto him out of the midst of the bush, and saith, 'Moses, Moses;' and he saith, 'Here am I.' <a href="/slt/exodus/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah will see that he turned aside to see, and God will call to him from the midst of the bramble, and he will say, Moses, Moses! And he will say, Behold me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when the Lord saw that he went forward to see, he called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said: Moses, Moses. And he answered: Here I am. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then the Lord, discerning that he proceeded on to see it, called to him from the midst of the bush, and he said, “Moses, Moses.” And he responded, “Here I am.” <a href="/nabre/exodus/3.htm">New American Bible</a> When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to look, God called out to him from the bush: Moses! Moses! He answered, “Here I am.” <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. <a href="/hpbt/exodus/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And LORD JEHOVAH saw that he turned aside to see, and God called to him from within the bush, and he said, “Moshe, Moshe”, and he said, “Here I am.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said: 'Moses, Moses.' And he said: 'Here am I.' <a href="/sep/exodus/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And when the Lord saw that he drew nigh to see, the Lord called him out of the bush, saying, Moses, Moses; and he said, What is it? <a href="/parallel/exodus/3-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=415" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/3.htm">Moses at the Burning Bush</a> …3So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” 4<a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">When the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: sār (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">he had gone over</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: lir·’ō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">to look,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">called out</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: mit·tō·wḵ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">from within</a> <a href="/hebrew/5572.htm" title="5572: has·sə·neh (Art:: N-ms) -- Perhaps blackberry bush. From an unused root meaning to prick; a bramble.">the bush,</a> <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.">“Moses,</a> <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.">Moses!”</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nê·nî (Interjection:: 1cs) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Here</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.">I am,”</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.">he answered.</a> 5“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/7-30.htm">Acts 7:30-33</a> After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. / When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight. As he approached to look more closely, the voice of the Lord came to him: / ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/33-16.htm">Deuteronomy 33:16</a> with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, and with the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph and crown the brow of the prince of his brothers. <a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Isaiah 6:8</a> Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” <a href="/genesis/22-11.htm">Genesis 22:11</a> Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. <a href="/1_samuel/3-4.htm">1 Samuel 3:4-10</a> Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” / He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. / Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” ... <a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Judges 6:11-14</a> Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” / “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” ... <a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">1 Kings 19:12-13</a> After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. / When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” <a href="/genesis/46-2.htm">Genesis 46:2</a> And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. <a href="/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” <a href="/acts/22-7.htm">Acts 22:7</a> I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Acts 26:14</a> We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ <a href="/john/10-3.htm">John 10:3</a> The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. <a href="/matthew/22-31.htm">Matthew 22:31-32</a> But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you: / ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” <a href="/luke/20-37.htm">Luke 20:37</a> Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ <a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Hebrews 11:24-27</a> 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. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the middle of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.unto him.<a href="/deuteronomy/33-16.htm">Deuteronomy 33:16</a> And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.Moses.<a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Genesis 22:1,11</a> And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am… <a href="/genesis/46-2.htm">Genesis 46:2</a> And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.<a href="/1_samuel/3-4.htm">1 Samuel 3:4,6,8,10</a> That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/3-3.htm">Bush</a> <a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/exodus/3-3.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/2-5.htm">Side</a> <a href="/exodus/3-3.htm">Thorn-Bush</a> <a href="/exodus/3-3.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/exodus/2-25.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/exodus/2-12.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/33-16.htm">Bush</a> <a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/exodus/3-20.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/12-7.htm">Side</a> <a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Thorn-Bush</a> <a href="/exodus/9-25.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/exodus/4-4.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/exodus/14-27.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/exodus/8-25.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 3</div>1. <a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Moses keeps Jethro's flock.</a> 2. <a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">God appears to him in a burning bush.</a> 9. <a href="/exodus/3-9.htm">He sends him to deliver Israel.</a> 13. <a href="/exodus/3-13.htm">The name of God.</a> 15. <a href="/exodus/3-15.htm">His message to Israel, and Pharaoh, whose opposition is foretold.</a> 20. <a href="/exodus/3-20.htm">He is assured of Israel's deliverance.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look This phrase indicates divine awareness and initiative. The LORD, Yahweh, observes Moses' actions, highlighting God's omniscience and personal engagement with humanity. The burning bush is located on Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, a significant location for future events in Israel's history, such as the giving of the Ten Commandments. This moment marks a pivotal point in Moses' life, transitioning from a shepherd to the leader of Israel. The act of Moses turning aside to see the bush signifies his curiosity and openness to divine encounters, a necessary trait for those called by God.God called out to him from within the bush The voice of God emanating from the bush signifies His presence in unexpected places and forms. This theophany, or visible manifestation of God, is a unique event where God chooses to reveal Himself in a miraculous way. The bush burning yet not consumed symbolizes God's eternal nature and His ability to sustain and preserve. This calling is personal and direct, emphasizing God's desire for a relationship with Moses. The use of "God" here aligns with the Hebrew term "Elohim," denoting power and majesty.“Moses, Moses!” The repetition of Moses' name is a common biblical technique used to convey urgency and importance. It reflects God's intimate knowledge of Moses and His personal call to him. This double address is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as with Abraham (<a href="/genesis/22-11.htm">Genesis 22:11</a>) and Samuel (<a href="/1_samuel/3-10.htm">1 Samuel 3:10</a>), often preceding significant divine revelations or missions. It underscores the personal nature of God's call and the importance of the task Moses is about to receive.“Here I am,” he answered. Moses' response indicates readiness and willingness to listen, a posture of obedience and humility. This phrase is a common biblical response to divine calls, seen in figures like Abraham (<a href="/genesis/22.htm">Genesis 22:1</a>) and Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Isaiah 6:8</a>). It reflects an attitude of servitude and openness to God's will. Moses' answer sets the stage for his commissioning as the deliverer of Israel, foreshadowing his role as a mediator between God and His people, a type of Christ who also responds to the Father's will with obedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> A Hebrew by birth, raised in Pharaoh's palace, and now a shepherd in Midian. He is the central human figure in this passage, called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant name of God, who reveals Himself to Moses in a unique and personal way, initiating a pivotal moment in salvation history. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_burning_bush.htm">The Burning Bush</a> A miraculous sign where a bush is on fire but not consumed, symbolizing God's holy presence and His call to Moses. 4. <a href="/topical/m/midian.htm">Midian</a> The region where Moses fled after killing an Egyptian, and where he encounters God at Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). 5. <a href="/topical/m/mount_horeb.htm">Mount Horeb</a> Also known as the "Mountain of God," it is the location of Moses' encounter with God and later the giving of the Ten Commandments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_personal_call.htm">God's Personal Call</a> God knows us by name and calls us personally. Just as He called Moses, He calls each of us to a specific purpose in His kingdom. <a href="/topical/d/divine_initiative.htm">Divine Initiative</a> God takes the first step in reaching out to us. Our role is to respond, as Moses did, with readiness and willingness. <a href="/topical/h/holy_ground.htm">Holy Ground</a> Recognize the sacredness of God's presence in our lives. Like Moses, we must approach God with reverence and humility. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_call.htm">Obedience to God's Call</a> Moses' response, "Here I am," signifies readiness to listen and obey. We are called to be attentive and responsive to God's direction in our lives. <a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_the_ordinary.htm">God's Presence in the Ordinary</a> God often reveals Himself in the midst of our daily routines, as He did to Moses while shepherding. We should be attentive to His presence in our everyday lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 3</a> <a href="/q/why_do_christian_leaders_contradict_god.htm">Why do Christian leaders claim to hear from God, yet often contradict each other?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_speak_audibly_in_exodus_3_4.htm">In Exodus 3:4, why does God speak audibly only here, and not in a consistent manner throughout the Old Testament? </a> <a href="/q/does_god_speak_to_people_today.htm">Does God communicate with people today?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_audible_divine_calls.htm">1 Samuel 3:4 – Is there any historical or scientific evidence that supports an audible, personal call from a deity to an individual? </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>(4) When the Lord saw . . . God called.--Heb., When Jehovah saw, Elohim called. The German theory of two authors of Exodus, one Jehovistic and the other Elohistic, is completely refuted by this passage; for it is impossible to ascribe one clause of a sentence to one author, and the next to another. If originally the same term had been used in both places, a reviser would not have altered one without altering both.Moses, Moses.--Comp. <a href="/genesis/26-11.htm" title="And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.">Genesis 26:11</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/3-10.htm" title="And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for your servant hears.">1Samuel 3:10</a>; and <a href="/acts/9-4.htm" title="And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me?">Acts 9:4</a>. The repetition marks extreme urgency.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - When the Lord saw... God called. This collocation of words is fatal in the entire Elohistic and Jehovistic theory, for no one can suppose that two different writers wrote the two clauses of the sentence. Nor, if the same term was originally used in both clauses, would any reviser have altered one without altering both. Out of the midst of the bush. A voice, which was the true voice of God, appeared to Moses to proceed out of the midst of the fire which enveloped the thorn-bush. An objective reality is described, not a vision. Moses, Moses. The double call implies urgency. Compare the call of Samuel (<a href="/1_samuel/3-10.htm">1 Samuel 3:10</a>). <a href="/commentaries/exodus/3-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel saw וַיַּ֥רְא (way·yar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see that כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction he had gone over סָ֣ר (sār) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> To turn aside to look, לִרְא֑וֹת (lir·’ō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see God אֱלֹהִ֜ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative called out וַיִּקְרָא֩ (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read to him אֵלָ֨יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to from within מִתּ֣וֹךְ (mit·tō·wḵ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> A bisection, the centre the bush, הַסְּנֶ֗ה (has·sə·neh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5572.htm">Strong's 5572: </a> Perhaps blackberry bush “Moses, מֹשֶׁ֥ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver Moses!” מֹשֶׁ֖ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Here הִנֵּֽנִי׃ (hin·nê·nî) Interjection | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! I am,” וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say he answered. וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">OT Law: Exodus 3:4 When Yahweh saw that he turned aside (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/3-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 3:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 3:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/3-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 3:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 3:5" /></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>