---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "kept the flock. Forty years, Acts 7:30 .  Jethro = Reuel, Exodus 2:18 .  Midian . A. descendant of Abraham, by Keturah. Moses was called in this land (Ar"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/exodus/3"
---

**kept the flock.** Forty years, [Acts 7:30](../../../kjv/acts/7/30) .
**Jethro** = Reuel, [Exodus 2:18](../../../kjv/exodus/2/18) .
**Midian** . A. descendant of Abraham, by Keturah. Moses was called in this land (Arabia); Mahomet also arose there. backside. Would be the West side, very fertile. First mention of Desert of Sinai is in connection with feeding a flock!
**God.** Hebrew. *Elohim* . App-4 .
**Horeb** . Never used in New Testament. There "the wisdom of Egypt "had to be unlearned and God made known, [Isaiah 50:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/50/4) .

**Angel of the LORD** . Hebrew. *Jehovah.* ( App-4 ). Genitive of App. ( App-17 ): i.e. Jehovah Himself, [Exodus 3:4](../../../kjv/exodus/3/4) , then "God" ([Exodus 3:4](../../../kjv/exodus/3/4) ). Compare [Genesis 18:1](../../../kjv/genesis/18/1) , [Genesis 18:13](../../../kjv/genesis/18/13) , [Genesis 18:17](../../../kjv/genesis/18/17) , [Genesis 18:20](../../../kjv/genesis/18/20) , [Genesis 18:22](../../../kjv/genesis/18/22) , [Genesis 18:33](../../../kjv/genesis/18/33) ; [Genesis 19:1](../../../kjv/genesis/19/1) , [Genesis 19:24](../../../kjv/genesis/19/24) ; and compare [Genesis 32:24](../../../kjv/genesis/32/24) , [Genesis 32:30](../../../kjv/genesis/32/30) with [Hosea 12:3](../../../kjv/hosea/12/3) , [Hosea 12:4](../../../kjv/hosea/12/4) . appeared. Forty years after.
**bush burned** . Same lesson as the "furnace" of [Genesis 15:17](../../../kjv/genesis/15/17) ,

**God called** . Only here in Exodus. See note on [Exodus 19:3](../../../kjv/exodus/19/3) . Hebrew. *Elohim.* App-4 .
**Moses** , Moses. Figure of speech *Epizeuxis (* *App-6* *).* Compare [Genesis 22:11](../../../kjv/genesis/22/11) .[Genesis 22:5](../../../kjv/genesis/22/5); [Genesis 22:5](../../../kjv/genesis/22/5) He [God = *Elohim* ] said. Occurs four times in Exodus. ([Exodus 3:6](../../../kjv/exodus/3/6) , [Exodus 3:6](../../../kjv/exodus/3/6) , [Exodus 3:12](../../../kjv/exodus/3/12) , [Exodus 3:14](../../../kjv/exodus/3/14) ). is. Hebrew "it [is]".
**holy** . = Separated, or set apart [for God]. Always the rendering of Hebrew. *kodesh* (first occurance here) except [Psalms 42:4](../../../kjv/psalms/42/4) , where it is *hagag -* holy day; and [Deuteronomy 33:8](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/33/8) , [Psalms 16:2](../../../kjv/psalms/16/2) ; [Psalms 86:2](../../../kjv/psalms/86/2) ; [Psalms 89:19](../../../kjv/psalms/89/19) ; [Psalms 145:17](../../../kjv/psalms/145/17) , where it is *hasid =* favour, or grace. *Kodesh* must have one identical meaning (as above) in all passages; and does not imply *moral quality* except when used of God Himself. It is rendered "consecrated", "dedicated", "hallowed", "holiness", "saint", and "sanctuary", which are distinguished in the notes under their respective occurrences.

**I.** Pronoun emphatic.
**God** *= 'Elohim,* the Creator. Note the five-fold repetition. ( App-10 ). Christ founds the doctrine of Resurrection on this verse. See note on [Matthew 22:31](../../../kjv/matthew/22/31) , [Matthew 22:32](../../../kjv/matthew/22/32) .
**afraid** . Compare [Acts 7:32](../../../kjv/acts/7/32) .

**the LORD said** = Jehovah said (Hebrew. *'amar,* requiring the words spoken). This expression occurs forty-five "sundry times" in Exodus, and in ten "divers manners" (see App-10 ), and compare [Leviticus 1:1](../../../kjv/leviticus/1/1) ; [Leviticus 5:14](../../../kjv/leviticus/5/14) .[Numbers 3:40](../../../kjv/numbers/3/40) , and see note on [Exodus 6:10](../../../kjv/exodus/6/10) . (1) The LORD said, [Exodus 3:7](../../../kjv/exodus/3/7) ; [Exodus 33:21](../../../kjv/exodus/33/21) . (2) To Moses (or to "him"), [Exodus 4:2](../../../kjv/exodus/4/2) , [Exodus 4:4](../../../kjv/exodus/4/4) , [Exodus 4:6](../../../kjv/exodus/4/6) , [Exodus 4:11](../../../kjv/exodus/4/11) , [Exodus 4:19](../../../kjv/exodus/4/19) ; [Exodus 6:1](../../../kjv/exodus/6/1) ; [Exodus 7:1](../../../kjv/exodus/7/1) , [Exodus 7:14](../../../kjv/exodus/7/14) ; [Exodus 9:22](../../../kjv/exodus/9/22) ; [Exodus 10:1](../../../kjv/exodus/10/1) , [Exodus 10:12](../../../kjv/exodus/10/12) , [Exodus 10:21](../../../kjv/exodus/10/21) ; [Exodus 11:1](../../../kjv/exodus/11/1) , [Exodus 11:9](../../../kjv/exodus/11/9) ; [Exodus 14:26](../../../kjv/exodus/14/26) ; [Exodus 16:4](../../../kjv/exodus/16/4) , [Exodus 16:29](../../../kjv/exodus/16/29) ; [Exodus 17:5](../../../kjv/exodus/17/5) ; [Exodus 19:9](../../../kjv/exodus/19/9) , [Exodus 19:10](../../../kjv/exodus/19/10) , [Exodus 19:24](../../../kjv/exodus/19/24) ; [Exodus 24:12](../../../kjv/exodus/24/12) ; [Exodus 32:7](../../../kjv/exodus/32/7) , [Exodus 32:9](../../../kjv/exodus/32/9) , [Exodus 32:33](../../../kjv/exodus/32/33) ; [Exodus 33:1](../../../kjv/exodus/33/1) , [Exodus 33:17](../../../kjv/exodus/33/17) ; [Exodus 34:1](../../../kjv/exodus/34/1) , [Exodus 34:27](../../../kjv/exodus/34/27) . (3) To Moses to say unto Aaron, [Exodus 8:16](../../../kjv/exodus/8/16) . (4) To Moses to say unto Pharaoh, [Exodus 4:21](../../../kjv/exodus/4/21) (compare 22); [Exodus 8:20](../../../kjv/exodus/8/20) ; [Exodus 9:1](../../../kjv/exodus/9/1) , [Exodus 9:13](../../../kjv/exodus/9/13) . (5) To Moses to rehearse to [Joshua 17:14](../../../kjv/joshua/17/14) . (6) To Moses to charge the people, [Exodus 19:21](../../../kjv/exodus/19/21) . (7) To Moses to speak to the people, [Exodus 3:11](../../../kjv/exodus/3/11) . (compare [Exodus 3:2](../../../kjv/exodus/3/2) ). (8) To Moses to say to the children of Israel, [Exodus 14:15](../../../kjv/exodus/14/15) ; [Exodus 20:22](../../../kjv/exodus/20/22) ; [Exodus 33:5](../../../kjv/exodus/33/5) . (9) To Moses and unto Aaron, [Exodus 9:8](../../../kjv/exodus/9/8) ; [Exodus 12:43](../../../kjv/exodus/12/43) . (10) To Aaron, [Exodus 4:27](../../../kjv/exodus/4/27) .
**I have surely seen** . Hebrew "seeing I have seen". Figure of speech *Polyptoton* ( App-6 ); see note on [Genesis 26:28](../../../kjv/genesis/26/28) . All begins with God. All is of His grace. Note the five statements in verses: [Exodus 3:7](../../../kjv/exodus/3/7) , [Exodus 3:8](../../../kjv/exodus/3/8) ; and "My People". Compare [Deuteronomy 32:8](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/8) , [Deuteronomy 32:9](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/9) .

**deliver** . Connect this with "serve" in [Exodus 3:12](../../../kjv/exodus/3/12) ; and connect both with [1 Thessalonians 1:9](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/9) , [1 Thessalonians 1:10](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/10) .
**good.** Five-fold description of the land: good, large, milk, honey, place of the nations. See App-10 . milk and honey. Figure of speech *Synecdoche* (of Species). App-6 .
**Canaanites** . Six nations named. The number of man (see App-10 ).
**and** . Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* ( App-6 ).

**children** = sons.

**I will send** . Compare [Acts 7:23](../../../kjv/acts/7/23) .
**Pharaoh** . See App-37 .

**Who am I. ?** Figure of speech *Erotesis,* in expostulation ( App-6 ) for emphasis. Occupation with self is the cause of all *distrust.* Note these four instances. Compare [Exodus 4:1](../../../kjv/exodus/4/1) , [Exodus 4:10-12](../../../kjv/exodus/4/10-12) , [Exodus 4:13](../../../kjv/exodus/4/13) . Very different from the Moses of [Exodus 2:11-14](../../../kjv/exodus/2/11-14) .

**I will be with thee** . Here the meaning of name "Jehovah" is anticipated.
**God** . Hebrew. *eth ha 'Elohim,* very emphatic. God Himself = the Triune God. Compare "deliver", [Exodus 3:8](../../../kjv/exodus/3/8) .

**God** ['Elohim] said. This expression occurs twice in Exodus, only here in [Exodus 3:14](../../../kjv/exodus/3/14) and [Exodus 3:15](../../../kjv/exodus/3/15) .
**I AM THAT I AM.** Hebrew. *'ehyeh asher 'ehyeh. I* will be what I will be (or become). App-48 .
**I AM.** *Hebrew 'ehyeh* = I will be (speaking of Himself).

**The LORD** . Hebrew. *Jehovah.* = He will be, spoken of by others. See App-4 and compare [Revelation 1:4](../../../kjv/revelation/1/4) , "which is " = continuance in time present; "which was" = continuance in time past; "which is to come" = continuance for ever. The French, "The Eternal", is a much better rendering than Lord, which = Master and Owner. What He will be is left to be filled up according to the needs of those with whom He is in covenant-He Who becometh Saviour, Redeemer, Deliverer, Strengthener, Comforter, &c.
**for ever** . He changeth not. [Malachi 3:6](../../../kjv/malachi/3/6) . He is therefore Israel's God to-day, as then.

**surely visited you** . Figure of speech Polyptoton, "visiting I have visited you" ( App-6 ). [Genesis 50:24](../../../kjv/genesis/50/24) , [Genesis 50:25](../../../kjv/genesis/50/25) .
**seen** . Ellipsis of the second verb. Figure of speech *Zeugma (Protozeugma).* App-6 .

**sacrifice** . Hebrew. *zabach.* See App-43 .

**no, not** , &c. Figure of speech *Epitasis* ( App-6 ).

**borrow** . This is a most unfortunate rendering. Hebrew. *sha'al,* to ask. Out of 168 occurrences, only six times "borrow", but 162 ask, beg, require, &c. Compare [Exodus 11:2](../../../kjv/exodus/11/2) ; [Exodus 12:35](../../../kjv/exodus/12/35) , [Exodus 12:35-36](../../../kjv/exodus/12/35-36) . [Psalms 2:8](../../../kjv/psalms/2/8) . [1 Samuel 1:20](../../../kjv/1-samuel/1/20) ; [1 Samuel 8:10](../../../kjv/1-samuel/8/10) . [Genesis 24:47](../../../kjv/genesis/24/47) , [Genesis 24:57](../../../kjv/genesis/24/57) ; [Genesis 32:17](../../../kjv/genesis/32/17) ; Gen 43:7 . [1 Kings 3:11](../../../kjv/1-kings/3/11) .
**jewels** : or articles. Compare [Genesis 15:14](../../../kjv/genesis/15/14) and [Exodus 3:21](../../../kjv/exodus/3/21) above.

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