Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 6. I am the God of thy father] Though the word yba abi, father, is here used in the singular, St Stephen, quoting this place, Acts vii. 32, uses the plural, o qeov twn paterwn sou, 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, (see the note on "Gen. xxv. 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 fullness of the Gentiles may be confidently expected.
And Moses hid his face] For similar acts, see the passages referred to in the margin. He was afraid to look - he was overawed by God's presence, and dazzled with the splendour of the appearance.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as shepherd in Midian, the third as a king in Jeshurun. How changeable is the life of man! The first appearance of God to Moses, found his tending sheep. This seems a poor employment for a man of his parts an education, yet he rests satisfied with it; and thus learns meekness an contentment, for which he is more noted in sacred writ, than for all his learning. Satan loves to find us idle; God is pleased when he find us employed. Being alone, is a good friend to our communion with God To his great surprise, Moses saw a bush burning without fire to kindl it. The bush burned, and yet did not burn away; an emblem of the churc in bondage in Egypt. And it fitly reminds us of the church in ever age, under its severest persecutions kept by the presence of God from being destroyed. Fire is an emblem, in Scripture, of the Divin holiness and justice, also of the afflictions and trials with which God proves and purifies his people, and even of that baptism of the Holy Ghost, by which sinful affections are consumed, and the soul change into the Divine nature and image. God gave Moses a gracious call, to which he returned a ready answer. Those that would have communion with God, must attend upon him in the ordinances wherein he is pleased to manifest himself and his glory, though it be in a bush. Putting off the shoe was a token of respect and submission. We ought to draw nigh to God with a solemn pause and preparation, carefully avoiding every thin that looks light and rude, and unbecoming his service. God does no say, I was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but I am. The patriarchs still live, so many years after their bodies have been in the grave. No length of time can separate the souls of the just from their Maker. By this, God instructed Moses as to another world, an strengthened his belief of a future state. Thus it is interpreted by our Lord Jesus, who, from hence, proves that the dead are raised, L 20:37. Moses hid his face, as if both ashamed and afraid to look upo God. The more we see of God, and his grace, and covenant love, the mor cause we shall see to worship him with reverence and godly fear.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 אנכי595 אלהי430 אביך1 אלהי430 אברהם85 אלהי430 יצחק3327 ואלהי430 יעקב3290 ויסתר5641 משׁה4872 פניו6440 כי3588 ירא3372 מהביט5027 אל413 האלהים׃430
