---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Exodus 3:1. Jethro his father-in-law — Concerning Jethro, Exodus 2:18; Exodus 2:18. Learned men are not agreed on the signification of the word חתן"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/exodus/3"
---

Verse [Exodus 3:1](../../../kjv/exodus/3/1). ***Jethro his father-in-law*** — Concerning *Jethro*, [Exodus 2:18](../../../kjv/exodus/2/18); [Exodus 2:18](../../../kjv/exodus/2/18). Learned men are not agreed on the signification of the word חתן *chothen*, which we translate *father-in-law*, and which in [Genesis 19:14](../../../kjv/genesis/19/14), we translate *son-in-law*. It seems to be a general term for a *relative by* *marriage*, and the connection only in which it stands can determine its precise meaning. It is very possible that *Reuel* was now dead, it being forty years since Moses came to Midian; that Jethro was his son, and had succeeded him in his office of prince and priest of Midian; that Zipporah was the sister of Jethro; and that consequently the word חתן *chothen* should be translated *brother-in-law* in this place: as we learn from [Genesis 34:9](../../../kjv/genesis/34/9), [Deuteronomy 7:3](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/7/3), [Joshua 23:12](../../../kjv/joshua/23/12), and other places, that it simply signifies to *contract affinity by marriage*. If this conjecture be right, we may well suppose that, Reuel being dead, Moses was continued by his brother-in-law Jethro in the same employment he had under his father.
***Mountain of God*** — Sometimes named *Horeb*, at other times *Sinai*. The mountain itself had two *peaks*; one was called *Horeb*, the other *Sinai*. Horeb was probably the primitive name of the mountain, which was afterwards called the *mountain of God*, because God appeared upon it to Moses; and Mount Sinai, סיני, from סנה *seneh*, a *bush*, because it was in a *bush* or *bramble*, in a flame of fire, that this appearance was made.

Verse [Exodus 3:2](../../../kjv/exodus/3/2). ***The angel of the Lord*** — Not a created angel certainly; for he is called יהוה *Jehovah*, [Exodus 3:4](../../../kjv/exodus/3/4), c., and has the most expressive attributes of the Godhead applied to him, [Exodus 3:14](../../../kjv/exodus/3/14), c. Yet he is an *angel*, מלאך malach, a *messenger*, in whom was the name of God, [Exodus 23:21](../../../kjv/exodus/23/21) and in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, [Colossians 2:9](../../../kjv/colossians/2/9) and who, in all these primitive times, was the Messenger of the covenant, [Malachi 3:1](../../../kjv/malachi/3/1). And who was this but JESUS, the Leader, Redeemer, and Saviour of mankind? [Genesis 16:7](../../../kjv/genesis/16/7).
***A flame of fire, out of the midst of a bush*** — Fire was, not only among the Hebrews but also among many other ancient nations, a very significant emblem of the Deity. God accompanied the Israelites in all their journeyings through the wilderness as a pillar of fire by night; and probably a fire or flame in the holy of holies, between the cherubim, was the general symbol of his presence; and traditions of these things, which must have been current in the east, have probably given birth, not only to the pretty general opinion that God appears in the likeness of fire, but to the whole of the *Zoroastrian system of fire-worship*. It has been reported of Zoroaster, or *Zeradusht*, that having retired to a mountain for the study of wisdom, and the benefit of solitude, the whole mountain was one day enveloped with flame, out of the midst of which he came without receiving any injury; on which he offered sacrifices to God, who, he was persuaded, had then appeared to him. M. Anquetil du Perron gives much curious information on this subject in his *Zend Avesta*. The modern Parsees call fire the off-spring of Ormusd, and worship it with a vast variety of ceremonies.
These are very remarkable fragments, and seem all to be collected from traditions relative to the different manifestations of God to the Israelites in Egypt, and in the wilderness. Moses wished to see God, but he could behold nothing but an *indescribable glory*: nothing like *mortals*, nothing like a *human* *body*, appeared at any time to his eye, or to those of the Israelites. "Ye saw no manner of similitude," said Moses, "on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb, out of the midst of the FIRE," [Deuteronomy 4:15](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/4/15). But sometimes the Divine power and justice were manifested by the *indescribable, formless, impetuous, consuming* *flame*; at other times he appeared by the *water* which he brought out of the flinty rock; and in the *thick darkness* on Horeb, when the *fiery law* proceeded from his right hand, then the *earth quaked* and the *mountain trembled*: and when his *terrible eye* looked out upon the Egyptians through the pillar of cloud and fire, their chariot wheels were struck off, and confusion and dismay were spread through all the hosts of Pharaoh; [Exodus 14:24-25](../../../kjv/exodus/14/24-25).
***And the bush was not consumed.*** —
1. An emblem of the state of Israel in its various distresses and persecutions: it was in the fire of adversity, but was not consumed.
2. An emblem also of the state of the Church of God in the wilderness, in persecutions often, in the midst of its enemies, in the region of the shadow of death-yet not consumed.
3. An emblem also of the state of every follower of Christ: cast down, but not forsaken; grievously tempted, but not destroyed; walking through the fire, but still unconsumed!
Why are all these preserved in the midst of those things which have a natural tendency to destroy them! Because GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF THEM; it was this that preserved the bush from destruction; and it was this that preserved the Israelites; and it is this, and this alone, that preserves the Church, and holds the soul of every genuine believer in the spiritual life. He in whose heart Christ dwells not by faith, will soon be consumed by the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Verse [Exodus 3:5](../../../kjv/exodus/3/5). ***Put off thy shoes*** — It is likely that from this circumstance all the eastern nations have agreed to perform all the acts of their religious worship *barefooted*. All the Mohammedans, Brahmins, and Parsees do so still. The Jews were remarked for this in the time of Juvenal; hence he speaks of their performing their sacred rites *barefooted*; Sat. vi., ver. 158:
Observant ubi festa *mero pede* sabbata reges.
The ancient Greeks did the same. Jamblichus, in the life of Pythagoras, tells us that this was one of his maxims, Ανυποδητος θυε και προσκυνει, *Offer sacrifice and worship with your shoes* *off*. And Solinus asserts that no person was permitted to enter into the temple of Diana, in Crete, till he had taken off his shoes. "*AEdem Numinis* (*Dianae*) *praeterquam nudus vestigio nulles* *licito ingreditur*." Tertullian observes, *de jejunio*, that in a time of drought the worshippers of Jupiter deprecated his wrath, and prayed for rain, walking barefooted. "Cum stupet caelum, et aret annus, *nudipedalia*, denunciantur." It is probable that נעלים *nealim*, in the text, signifies *sandals*, translated by the Chaldee סנדל *sandal*, and סנדלא *sandala*, (see [Genesis 14:23](../../../kjv/genesis/14/23)), which was the same as the Roman *solea*, a *sole* alone, strapped about the foot As this sole must let in dust, gravel, and sand about the foot in travelling, and render it very uneasy, hence the custom of frequently *washing* the feet in those countries where these sandals were worn. *Pulling off the shoes was*, therefore, an emblem of laying aside the *pollutions* contracted by *walking* in the *way of* *sin*. Let those who name the Lord Jesus Christ depart from iniquity. In our western countries reverence is expressed by pulling off the hat; but how much more significant is the eastern custom! "The natives of Bengal never go into their own houses with their shoes on, nor into the houses of others, but always leave their shoes at the door. It would be a great affront not to attend to this mark of respect when visiting; and to enter a temple without pulling off the shoes would be an unpardonable offence."-Ward.
***The place whereon thou standest*****is*****holy ground.*** — It was not particularly sanctified by the Divine presence; but if we may credit Josephus, a general opinion had prevailed that *God dwelt on* *that mountain*; and hence the shepherds, considering it as sacred ground, did not dare to feed their flocks there. Moses, however, finding the soil to be rich and the pasturage good, boldly drove his flock thither to feed on it. - Antiq., b. ii., c. xii., s. 1.

Verse [Exodus 3:6](../../../kjv/exodus/3/6). ***I*****am*****the God of thy father*** — Though the word אבי *abi, father*, is here used in the singular, St Stephen, quoting this place, [Acts 7:32](../../../kjv/acts/7/32), uses the plural, Ὁ Θεος των πατερων σου, *The God of thy* FATHERS; and that this is the meaning the following words prove: The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. These were the fathers of Moses in a direct line. This reading is confirmed by the *Samaritan* and by the *Coptic*. ABRAHAM was the father of the *Ishmaelites*, and with him was the covenant first *made*. ISAAC was the father of the *Edomites* as well as the *Israelites*, and with him was the covenant *renewed*. JACOB was the father of the twelve patriarchs, who were founders of the *Jewish* nation, and to him were the promises *particularly* *confirmed*. Hence we see that the *Arabs* and *Turks* in general, who are descendants of *Ishmael*; the *Edomites*, now absorbed among the Jews, ([Genesis 25:23](../../../kjv/genesis/25/23),) who are the descendants of *Esau*; and the *Jewish people*, wheresoever scattered, who are the descendants of *Jacob*, are all heirs of the promises included in this primitive covenant; and their gathering in with the fulness of the Gentiles may be confidently expected.
***And Moses hid his face*** — For similar acts, see [1 Kings 19:13](../../../kjv/1-kings/19/13); [Isaiah 6:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/6/1), [Isaiah 6:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/6/5); [Nehemiah 9:9](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/9); [Psalms 106:44](../../../kjv/psalms/106/44); [Acts 7:34](../../../kjv/acts/7/34). *He was afraid to look*- he was overawed by God's presence, and dazzled with the splendour of the appearance.

Verse [Exodus 3:7](../../../kjv/exodus/3/7). ***I have surely seen*** — ראה ראיתי *raoh raithi, seeing,* *I have seen*- I have not only seen the afflictions of this people because I am omniscient, but I have considered their sorrows, and my eye affects my heart.

Verse [Exodus 3:8](../../../kjv/exodus/3/8). ***And I am come down to deliver them*** — This is the very purpose for which I am now come down upon this mountain, and for which I manifest myself to thee.
***Large - land*** — Canaan, when compared with the small tract of Goshen, in which they were now situated, and where, we learn, from [Exodus 1:7](../../../kjv/exodus/1/7), they were straitened for room, might be well called a *large land*. See a fine description of this land [Deuteronomy 8:7](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/8/7).
***A land flowing with milk and honey*** — Excellent for pasturage, because abounding in the most wholesome herbage and flowers; and from the latter an abundance of wild honey was collected by the bees. Though cultivation is now almost entirely neglected in this land, because of the badness of the government and the scantiness of the inhabitants, yet it is still good for *pasturage*, and yields an abundance of *honey*. The terms used in the text to express the fertility of this land, are commonly used by ancient authors on similar subjects. It is a metaphor taken from a *breast* producing copious streams of milk. Homer calls Argos ουθαρ αρουρης, the *breast of the country*, as affording *streams* of milk and honey, Il. ix., ver. 141. So Virgil: -
***Place of the Canaanites, &c.*** — See [Genesis 15:18](../../../kjv/genesis/15/18), &c.

Verse [Exodus 3:11](../../../kjv/exodus/3/11). ***Who*****am*****I - that I should bring*** — He was so satisfied that this was beyond *his* power, and all the means that he possessed, that he is astonished that even God himself should appoint him to this work! Such indeed was the bondage of the children of Israel, and the power of the people by whom they were enslaved, that had not their deliverance come through supernatural means, their escape had been utterly impossible.

Verse [Exodus 3:12](../../../kjv/exodus/3/12). ***Certainly I will be with thee*** — This great event shall not be left to thy wisdom and to thy power; my counsel shall direct thee, and my power shall bring all these mighty things to pass.
***And this*****shall be*****a token*** — Literally, *And* THIS *to thee for* *a sign*, i.e., this miraculous manifestation of the *burning bush* shall be a proof that I have sent thee; or, My being *with thee*, to encourage thy heart, strengthen thy hands, and enable thee to work miracles, shall be to thyself and to others the evidence of thy Divine mission.
***Ye shall serve God upon this mountain.*** — This was not the *sign*, but God shows him, that in their return from Egypt they should take this mountain in their way, and should worship him in this place. There may be a prophetic allusion here to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. As Moses received his commands *here*, so likewise should the Israelites receive theirs in the same place. After all, the Divine Being seems to testify a partial predilection for this mountain, for reasons that are not expressed. [Exodus 3:5](../../../kjv/exodus/3/5).

Verse [Exodus 3:13](../../../kjv/exodus/3/13). ***They shall say - What*****is*****his name?*** — Does not this suppose that the Israelites had an idolatrous notion even of the Supreme Being? They had probably drank deep into the Egyptian superstitions, and had gods many and lords many; and Moses conjectured that, hearing of a supernatural deliverance, they would inquire who that God was by whom it was to be effected. The reasons given here by the rabbins are too refined for the Israelites at this time. "When God," say they, "*judgeth* his creatures, he is called אלהים *Elohim*; when he *warreth* against the wicked, he is called צבאות *Tsebaoth*; but when he showeth *mercy* unto the world, he is called יהוה *Yehovah*." It is not likely that the Israelites had much knowledge of God or of his ways at the time to which the sacred text refers; it is certain they had no *written* word. The book of Genesis, if even written, (for some suppose it had been composed by Moses during his residence in Midian,) had not yet been communicated to the people; and being so long without any revelation, and perhaps without even the *form* of Divine worship, their minds being degraded by the state of bondage in which they had been so long held, and seeing and hearing little in religion but the superstitions of those among whom they sojourned, they could have no distinct notion of the Divine Being. Moses himself might have been in doubt at first on this subject, and he seems to have been greatly on his guard against illusion; hence he asks a variety of questions, and endeavours, by all prudent means, to assure himself of the truth and certainty of the present appearance and commission. He well knew the power of the Egyptian magicians, and he could not tell from these first views whether there might not have been some delusion in this case. God therefore gives him the fullest proof, not only for the satisfaction of the people to whom he was to be sent, but for his own full conviction, that it was the supreme God who now spoke to him.

Verse [Exodus 3:14](../../../kjv/exodus/3/14). ***I AM THAT I AM*** — אהיה אשר אהיה EHEYEH *asher* EHEYEH. These words have been variously understood. The *Vulgate* translates EGO SUM QUI SUM, *I am who am*. The *Septuagint*, Εγω ειμι ὁ Ων, *I am he who exists*. The *Syriac*, the *Persic*, and the *Chaldee* preserve the original words without any gloss. The *Arabic* paraphrases them, *The Eternal, who passes not away*; which is the same interpretation given by *Abul Farajius*, who also preserves the original words, and gives the above as their interpretation. The *Targum of Jonathan*, and the *Jerusalem Targum* paraphrase the words thus: "He who spake, and the world was; who spake, and all things existed." As the original words literally signify, *I will be what I will be*, some have supposed that God simply designed to inform Moses, that what he *had been* to his fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he *would be* to him and the Israelites; and that he would perform the promises he had made to his fathers, by giving their descendants the promised land. It is difficult to put a meaning on the words; they seem intended to point out the *eternity* and *self-existence* of God. Plato, in his *Parmenides*, where he treats sublimely of the nature of God, says, Ουδ' αρα ονομα εστιν αυτῳ, nothing can express his nature; *therefore no name can be attributed to him*. See the conclusion of this chapter, [Exodus 3:22](../../../kjv/exodus/3/22). and on the word *Jehovah*, [Exodus 34:6](../../../kjv/exodus/34/6); [Exodus 34:7](../../../kjv/exodus/34/7).

Verse [Exodus 3:15](../../../kjv/exodus/3/15). ***This*****is*****my name for ever*** — The name here referred to is that which immediately precedes, יהוה אלהים *Yehovah Elohim*, which we translate the LORD GOD, the name by which God *had* been known from the creation of the world, (see [Genesis 2:4](../../../kjv/genesis/2/4).) and the name by which he is known among the same people to the present day. Even the heathens knew this name of the true God; and hence out of our יהוה *Yehovah* they formed their *Jao, Jeve*, and *Jove*; so that the word has been literally fulfilled, *This is my memorial* *unto all generations*. [Genesis 1:1](../../../kjv/genesis/1/1). As to be self-existent and eternal must be attributes of God for ever, does it not follow that the לעלם *leolam, for ever*, in the text signifies *eternity*? "This is my name to eternity-and my memorial," לדר דר *ledor dor*, "to all succeeding generations." While human generations continue he shall be called the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; but when time shall be no more, he shall be Jehovah Elohim. Hence the first expression refers to his eternal existence, the latter to the discovery he should make of himself as long as time should last. See [Genesis 21:33](../../../kjv/genesis/21/33). Diodorus Siculus says, that "among the Jews, Moses is reported to have received his laws from the God named *Jao*," Ιαω, i.e., *Jeue, Jove*, or *Jeve*; for in all these ways the word יהוה *Yehovah* may be pronounced; and in this way I have seen it on Egyptian monuments. See Diod., lib. l., c. xciv.

Verse [Exodus 3:16](../../../kjv/exodus/3/16). ***Elders of Israel*** — Though it is not likely the Hebrews were permitted to have any regular government at this time, yet there can be no doubt of their having such a government in the time of Joseph, and for some considerable time after; the elders of each tribe forming a kind of court of magistrates, by which all actions were tried, and legal decisions made, in the Israelitish community.
***I have surely visited you*** — An exact fulfillment of the prediction of Joseph, [Genesis 50:24](../../../kjv/genesis/50/24), *God will surely visit you*, and in the same words too.

Verse [Exodus 3:18](../../../kjv/exodus/3/18). ***They shall hearken to thy voice*** — This assurance was necessary to encourage him in an enterprise so dangerous and important.
***Three days' journey into the wilderness*** — Evidently intending *Mount Sinai*, which is reputed to be about three days' journey, the shortest way, from the land of Goshen. In ancient times, distances were computed by the *time* required to pass over them. Thus, instead of *miles, furlongs*, c., it was said, the distance from one place to another was so many *days'*, so many *hours'* journey and it continues the same in all countries where there are no regular roads or highways.

Verse [Exodus 3:19](../../../kjv/exodus/3/19). ***I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go,**********no, not by a mighty hand*** — When the facts detailed in this history have been considered in connection with the assertion as it stands in our Bibles, the most palpable contradiction has appeared. That the king of Egypt *did* let them go, and that *by a mighty hand*, the book itself amply declares. We should therefore seek for another meaning of the original word. ולא *velo*, which generally means *and* *not*, has sometimes the meaning of *if not, unless, except*, c. and in *Becke's* Bible, 1549, it is thus translated: *I am sure that* *the kyng of Egypt wyl not let you go*, EXCEPT *wyth a mighty hand*. This import of the negative particle, which is noticed by Noldius, *Heb. Part*., p. 328, was perfectly understood by the *Vulgate*, where it is translated *nisi, unless*; and the *Septuagint* in their εαν μη which is of the same import; and so also the *Coptic*. The meaning therefore is very plain: The king of Egypt, who now profits much by your servitude, will not let you go till he sees my hand stretched out, and he and his nation be smitten with *ten* plagues. Hence God immediately adds, [Exodus 3:20](../../../kjv/exodus/3/20): *I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my* *wonders -and after that, he will let you go*.

Verse [Exodus 3:22](../../../kjv/exodus/3/22). ***Every woman shall borrow*** — This is certainly not a very correct translation: the original word שאל *shaal* signifies simply to *ask, request, demand, require, inquire*, c. but it does not signify to *borrow* in the proper sense of that word, though in a very few places of Scripture it is thus used. In this and the parallel place, [Exodus 12:35](../../../kjv/exodus/12/35), the word signifies to *ask* or *demand*, and not to *borrow*, which is a *gross mistake* into which scarcely any of the *versions*, ancient or modern, have fallen, except our own. The SEPTUAGINT has αιτησει, *she shall* *ask*; the VULGATE, *postulabit, she shall demand*; the SYRIAC, CHALDEE, SAMARITAN, SAMARITAN *Version*, COPTIC, and PERSIAN, are the same as the *Hebrew*. The *European* versions are generally correct on this point; and our *common* English version is almost the sole transgressor: I say, the *common* version, which, copying the Bible published by Becke in 1549, gives us the exceptionable term *borrow*, for the original שאל *shaal*, which in the *Geneva* Bible, and *Barker's* Bible of 1615, and some others, is rightly translated *aske*. God commanded the Israelites to *ask* or *demand* a certain recompense for their past services, and he inclined the hearts of the Egyptians to *give* liberally; and this, far from a matter of *oppression, wrong*, or even *charity*, was no more than a very *partial recompense* for the long and painful services which we may say *six hundred thousand* Israelites had rendered to Egypt, during a considerable number of years. And there can be no doubt that while their heaviest oppression lasted, they were permitted to accumulate no kind of property, as all their gains went to their oppressors.
Our exceptionable *translation* of the original has given some countenance to the desperate cause of infidelity; its abettors have exultingly said: "Moses represents the *just* God as ordering the Israelites to *borrow* the goods of the Egyptians under the pretence of *returning* them, whereas he intended that they should march off with the booty." Let these men know that there was no *borrowing* in the case; and that if accounts were fairly balanced, *Egypt* would be found still in considerable arrears to *Israel*. Let it also be considered that the Egyptians had never *any right* to the services of the Hebrews. Egypt owed its policy, its opulence, and even its political existence, to the Israelites. What had *Joseph* for his important services? NOTHING! He had neither district, nor city, nor lordship in Egypt; *nor did* *he reserve any to his children*. All his services were *gratuitous*; and being animated with a better hope than any earthly possession could inspire, he desired that even his *bones* should be carried up out of Egypt. Jacob and his family, it is true, were permitted to sojourn in Goshen, but they were not provided for in that place; for they brought their *cattle*, their *goods, and all that they had* *into Egypt*, [Genesis 46:1](../../../kjv/genesis/46/1); [Genesis 46:6](../../../kjv/genesis/46/6); so that they had nothing but the bare land to feed on; and had built *treasure cities* or *fortresses*, we know not how many; and two whole cities, *Pithom* and *Raamses*, besides; and for all these services *they had no compensation* whatever, but were besides cruelly abused, and obliged to witness, as the sum of their calamities, the daily murder of their male infants. These particulars considered, will infidelity ever dare to produce this case again in support of its worthless pretensions?
***Jewels of silver, c.*** — The word כלי *keley* we have already seen signifies *vessels, instruments, weapons*, c., and may be very well translated by our English term, *articles* or *goods*. The Israelites got both gold and silver, probably both in *coin* and in *plate* of different kinds and such *raiment* as was necessary for the journey which they were about to undertake.
***Ye shall spoil the Egyptians.*** — The verb נצל *natsal* signifies, not only to *spoil, snatch away*, but also to *get away*, to *escape*, to *deliver*, to *regain*, or *recover*. SPOIL signifies what is *taken* by *rapine* or *violence* but this cannot be the meaning of the original word here, as the Israelites only *asked*, and the Egyptians with out *fear, terror*, or *constraint*, freely gave. It is worthy of remark that the original word is used, [1 Samuel 30:22](../../../kjv/1-samuel/30/22), to signify the *recovery of property that had been taken away by* *violence*: "Then answered all the wicked men, and men of Belial, of those that went with David, Because they went not with us we will not give them aught of the SPOIL (מהשלל *mehash*SHALAL) that we have RECOVERED, אשר הצלנו *asher* HITSTSALNU. In this sense we should understand the word here. The Israelites *recovered* a part of *their property*-their wages, of which they had been most unjustly deprived by the Egyptians.
IN this chapter we have much curious and important information; but what is most interesting is the name by which God was pleased to make himself known to Moses and to the Israelites, a name by which the Supreme Being was afterwards known among the wisest inhabitants of the earth. HE who IS and who WILL BE what he IS. This is a proper characteristic of the Divine Being, who is, properly speaking, the only BEING, because he is *independent* and *eternal*; whereas all other beings, in whatsoever forms they may appear, are derived, finite, changeable, and liable to destruction, decay, and even to *annihilation*. When God, therefore, announced himself to Moses by this name, he proclaimed his own *eternity* and *immateriality*; and the very name itself precludes the possibility of *idolatry*, because it was impossible for the mind, in considering it, to represent the Divine Being in any assignable shape; for who could represent BEING or *Existence* by any *limited form*? And who can have any idea of a form that is *unlimited*? Thus, then, we find that the first discovery which God made of himself was intended to show the people the *simplicity* and *spirituality* of his nature; that while they considered him as BEING, and the Cause of all BEING, they might be preserved from all *idolatry* for ever. The very name itself is a proof of a Divine revelation; for it is not possible that such an idea could have ever entered into the mind of man, unless it had been communicated from above. It could not have been produced by *reasoning*, for there were no *premises* on which it could be built, nor any *analogies* by which it could have been formed. We can as easily comprehend *eternity* as we can *being*, simply considered in and of itself, when nothing of assignable forms, colours, or qualities existed, besides its infinite and illimitable self.
To this Divine discovery the ancient Greeks owed the inscription which they placed above the door of the temple of *Apollo* at *Delphi*: the whole of the inscription consisted in the simple monosyllable EI, THOU ART, the second person of the Greek substantive verb ειμι, *I am*. On this inscription Plutarch, one of the most intelligent of all the Gentile philosophers, made an express treatise, περι του ΕΙ εν Δελφοις, having received the true interpretation in his travels in Egypt, whither he had gone for the express purpose of inquiring into their ancient learning, and where he had doubtless seen these words of God to Moses in the Greek version of the Septuagint, which had been current among the Egyptians (*for whose sake it was first made*) about four hundred years previously to the death of Plutarch. This philosopher observes that "this title is not only *proper*, but *peculiar to God*, because HE alone is *being*; for mortals have no participation of *true being*, because that which *begins* and *ends*, and is continually *changing*, is never *one* nor the *same*, nor in the *same state*. The deity on whose temple this word was inscribed was called Apollo, Απολλν, from α, *negative*, and πολυς, *many*, because God is ONE, his nature *simple*, his essence *uncompounded*." Hence he informs us the ancient mode of addressing God was, "EI 'EN, *Thou art One*, ου γαρ πολλα το θειον εστιν, for *many* cannot be attributed to the Divine nature: και οὑ προτερον ουδεν εστιν, ουδ' υστερον, ουδε μελλον, ουδε παρωχημενον, ουδε πρεσβυτερον, ουδε νεωτερον, in which there is neither *first* nor *last, future* nor *past, old* nor *young*; αλλ' εις ων ενι τῳ νυν το αει πεπληρωκε, but as being one, fills up in one NOW an eternal duration." And he concludes with observing that "this word corresponds to certain others on the same temple, viz., ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΕΑΥΤΟΝ *Know thyself*; as if, under the name EI. THOU ART, the Deity designed to excite men to venerate HIM as *eternally* *existing*, ὡς οντα διαπαντος, and to put them in mind of the frailty and mortality of their own nature."
What beautiful things have the ancient Greek philosophers stolen from the testimonies of God to enrich their own works, without any kind of acknowledgment! And, strange perversity of man! these are the very things which we so highly applaud in the *heathen copies*, while we neglect or pass them by in the *Divine originals*!

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