New International VersionSo I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
New Living TranslationSo I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.
English Standard Versionand I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Berean Standard BibleI have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
King James BibleAnd I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
New King James VersionSo I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.
New American Standard BibleSo I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
NASB 1995“So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
NASB 1977“So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
Legacy Standard BibleSo I have come down to deliver them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
Amplified BibleSo I have come down to rescue them from the hand (power) of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a land [that is] good and spacious, to a land flowing with milk and honey [a land of plenty]—to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Christian Standard Bibleand I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey —the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
Holman Christian Standard BibleI have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
American Standard Versionand I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Contemporary English Versionand I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians. I will bring my people out of Egypt into a country where there is a lot of good land, rich with milk and honey. I will give them the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.
English Revised Versionand I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationI have come to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good land with plenty of room [for everyone]. It is a land flowing with milk and honey where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites live.
Good News Translationand so I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and to bring them out of Egypt to a spacious land, one which is rich and fertile and in which the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites now live.
International Standard Versionso I have come down to deliver them from their domination by the Egyptians and to bring them out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the territory of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
NET BibleI have come down to deliver them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up from that land to a land that is both good and spacious, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the region of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
New Heart English BibleI have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanites, and the Hethites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd I am come down to deliver them from the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that land, to a good land, and a large, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
World English BibleI have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand I go down to deliver it out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to cause it to go up out of the land to a land good and broad, to a land flowing with milk and honey—to the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Young's Literal Translation and I go down to deliver it out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to cause it to go up out of the land, unto a land good and broad, unto a land flowing with milk and honey -- unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd I will come down to deliver them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of this land to a good and great land, to a land flowing milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites and the Jebusites. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd knowing their sorrow, I am come down to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that land into a good and spacious land, into a land that floweth with milk and honey, to the places of the Chanaanite, and Hethite, and Amorrhite, and Pherezite, and Hevite, and Jebusite.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd knowing their sorrow, I have descended in order to free them from the hands of the Egyptians, and to lead them from that land into a good and spacious land, into a land which flows with milk and honey, to the places of the Canaanite, and Hittite, and Amorite, and Perizzite, and Hivite, and Jebusite.
New American BibleTherefore I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them up from that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Hivites and the Jebusites.
New Revised Standard Versionand I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd I have come down for its salvation from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up from this land to a land that is enlarged and good, to a land that flows milk and honey, to the land of Canaanites and of Khethites and of Amorites and Perizites and of Khivites and of Yebusites. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that land, and to bring them into a good and wide land, into a land flowing with milk and honey, into the place of the Chananites, and the Chettites, and Amorites, and Pherezites, and Gergesites, and Evites, and Jebusites.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Moses at the Burning Bush… 7The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. 8I have come downto rescue themfromthe handof the Egyptiansand to bring them upout of thatlandtoa goodand spaciousland,a landflowingwith milkand honey—the homeof the Canaanites,Hittites,Amorites,Perizzites,Hivites,and Jebusites.9And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.…
Cross References Deuteronomy 6:10-11And when the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He would give you—a land with great and splendid cities that you did not build, / with houses full of every good thing with which you did not fill them, with wells that you did not dig, and with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you eat and are satisfied,
Genesis 15:18-21On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— / the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, / Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, ...
Joshua 24:13So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities that you did not build, and now you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’
Nehemiah 9:25They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.
Numbers 13:27And they gave this account to Moses: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit!
Leviticus 20:24But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples.
Deuteronomy 8:7-9For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills; / a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; / a land where you will eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and whose hills are ready to be mined for copper.
Psalm 105:44-45He gave them the lands of the nations, that they might inherit the fruit of others’ labor, / that they might keep His statutes and obey His laws. Hallelujah!
Ezekiel 20:6On that day I swore to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.
Jeremiah 11:5This was in order to establish the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is to this day.” “Amen, LORD,” I answered.
Hebrews 11:9-10By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Acts 7:6-7God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come forth and worship Me in this place.’
Acts 13:17The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land.
John 14:2-3In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
Revelation 21:1-4Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. / I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. ...
Treasury of Scripture And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good land and a large, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. I am. Genesis 11:5,7 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded… Genesis 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. Genesis 50:24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. deliver. Exodus 6:6-8 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, Iam the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: … Exodus 12:51 And it came to pass the selfsame day,that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies. Genesis 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. unto a good. Exodus 3:17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. Exodus 13:5 And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. Exodus 33:2,3 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: … Canaanites. Exodus 22:23-31 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; … Exodus 34:11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Genesis 15:18-21 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: … Jump to Previous AmoriteAmoritesCanaaniteCanaanitesDeliverEgyptiansFlowingGoodHandHittiteHittitesHiviteHivitesHoneyJebusiteJebusitesLargeMilkPerizzitePerizzitesPowerSpaciousJump to Next AmoriteAmoritesCanaaniteCanaanitesDeliverEgyptiansFlowingGoodHandHittiteHittitesHiviteHivitesHoneyJebusiteJebusitesLargeMilkPerizzitePerizzitesPowerSpaciousExodus 3 1.Moses keeps Jethro's flock.2.God appears to him in a burning bush.9.He sends him to deliver Israel.13.The name of God.15.His message to Israel, and Pharaoh, whose opposition is foretold.20.He is assured of Israel's deliverance.I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the EgyptiansThis phrase signifies God's direct intervention in human history, emphasizing His active role in delivering His people. The "hand of the Egyptians" symbolizes oppression and bondage, reflecting the Israelites' suffering under Pharaoh's rule. This divine rescue foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who comes to save humanity from the bondage of sin. The concept of God "coming down" is a theophany, where God manifests His presence in a tangible way, as seen in other scriptures like Genesis 11:5 and John 1:14. and to bring them up out of that land
The movement "up out of that land" indicates a transition from a place of suffering to a place of promise. This upward journey is both physical and spiritual, symbolizing redemption and elevation to a higher state of existence. It parallels the Christian journey from sin to salvation, as seen inColossians 1:13, where believers are transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of Christ. to a good and spacious land
The "good and spacious land" represents the abundance and freedom God promises His people. This land is not only physically ample but also spiritually fulfilling, contrasting with the cramped and oppressive conditions in Egypt. It prefigures the eternal inheritance promised to believers, as described inHebrews 11:16, where a heavenly country is prepared for God's people. a land flowing with milk and honey
This phrase describes the fertility and prosperity of the Promised Land, symbolizing divine blessing and provision. "Milk and honey" are emblematic of sustenance and sweetness, indicating a land capable of supporting life abundantly. This imagery is used throughout scripture to depict God's provision, as seen inDeuteronomy 8:7-9, and it points to the spiritual nourishment found in Christ. the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites
These groups represent the current inhabitants of the Promised Land, highlighting the challenges Israel will face in claiming their inheritance. Each group has distinct cultural and historical backgrounds, often associated with idolatry and practices contrary to God's commands. The mention of these nations underscores the need for faith and obedience in overcoming obstacles, as seen in Joshua's conquest narratives. This also serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face, as described inEphesians 6:12, where the struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe speaker in this verse, who reveals His intention to rescue the Israelites. 2. MosesThe recipient of God's message, who is being called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. 3. EgyptiansThe oppressors of the Israelites, representing bondage and slavery. 4. Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and JebusitesThe inhabitants of the Promised Land, representing the challenges and obstacles the Israelites will face. 5. The Promised LandDescribed as "a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey," symbolizing God's provision and blessing. Teaching Points God's Initiative in SalvationGod "comes down" to rescue His people, emphasizing His active role in our deliverance. The Nature of God's PromisesThe description of the land as "flowing with milk and honey" illustrates the richness and abundance of God's promises. Facing Challenges with FaithThe presence of various peoples in the Promised Land reminds us that God's promises often come with challenges that require faith and obedience. Spiritual LiberationJust as God delivered Israel from physical bondage, He offers spiritual liberation through Christ. Hope for the FutureThe promise of a good and spacious land points to the ultimate hope of eternal life with God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Exodus 3:8?
2.How does Exodus 3:8 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?
3.What does "a land flowing with milk and honey" symbolize for believers today?
4.How can we trust God's deliverance in our personal "Egypt" situations?
5.What connections exist between Exodus 3:8 and God's promises in Genesis?
6.How should Exodus 3:8 inspire our response to God's call in our lives?
7.How does Exodus 3:8 demonstrate God's promise to deliver His people from oppression?
8.What historical evidence supports the Israelites' exodus to a land flowing with milk and honey?
9.How does the concept of a "promised land" in Exodus 3:8 relate to modern Christian beliefs?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 3?
11.Is Israel truly a land of milk and honey?
12.In Exodus 3:8–10, is there archaeological or historical proof that aligns with God’s promised deliverance of Israel from Egypt?
13.Who were the Jebusites in the Bible?
14.Who were Jannes and Jambres in the Bible?What Does Exodus 3:8 Mean I have come down• God personally enters human history; His transcendence never keeps Him distant (seeGenesis 50:24-25;Psalm 18:9). • He hears the groans of His covenant people and acts at the precise time He promised (Exodus 2:24-25;Acts 7:34). • The wording echoes future moments when the Lord “comes down” to save, culminating in Christ’s incarnation (John 1:14).
to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians• “Rescue” is not abstract; it involves breaking real chains—centuries of slavery under Pharaoh (Exodus 1:11-14). • By choosing mighty Egypt as the stage, God showcases that no power on earth can withstand Him (Exodus 12:12;Romans 9:17). • The Exodus becomes the defining salvation model for Israel and foreshadows every believer’s deliverance from sin’s bondage (Colossians 1:13-14).
and to bring them up out of that land• Salvation always includes a going out and a going in (Deuteronomy 6:23). • “Up” reminds us that God lifts His people to higher ground—both physically from the Nile delta and spiritually toward His promises (Psalm 40:2). • The journey itself trains faith, teaching dependence on daily manna and cloud-fire guidance (Exodus 16:4; 13:21-22).
to a good and spacious land• “Good” affirms quality; “spacious” speaks of freedom after cramped slave quarters. God never rescues into scarcity (John 10:10). • The land’s goodness was pledged to Abraham (Genesis 12:7), evidenced when spies later carried a single cluster of grapes on a pole (Numbers 13:23). • Space provides room to worship, raise families, and reflect God’s glory to surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 4:6-8).
a land flowing with milk and honey• “Flowing” paints continuous supply, not occasional blessing (Deuteronomy 11:11-12). • Milk implies sprawling herds on rich pasture; honey indicates abundant wildflowers and fruit—complete provision for body and soul (Psalm 65:11-13). • The phrase reappears throughout the Old Testament as shorthand for God’s covenant faithfulness (Jeremiah 32:22).
the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites• The land is occupied; faith must replace fear (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). • These nations represent entrenched opposition, yet their listing assures Israel that God knows every obstacle and has already written the victory (Joshua 3:10;Acts 13:19). • Judgment on these peoples fulfillsGenesis 15:16, proving that God’s patience and justice operate on His timetable.
summaryExodus 3:8 reveals a God who sees, descends, and delivers. He rescues from oppressive power, lifts His people upward, and settles them in abundant, promised space—despite formidable occupants. The verse compresses the gospel pattern: divine initiative, real deliverance, purposeful journey, and rich inheritance for all who trust His covenant word. (8) I am come down.--By condescension to human infirmity, which conceives of all things under the limitations of time and space, God is spoken of as dwelling ordinarily in heaven, or "the heaven of heavens," whence sometimes He "comes down" to manifest Himself to men. That this was not understood literally, even by the Jews, appears from such passages as 1Kings 8:27; Psalm 137:7-9; Proverbs 15:3, &c. A good land and a large.--The land promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18) well deserves this description. Besides Philistia, and Palestine on both sides of the Jordan, it included almost the whole of Syria from Galilee on the south, to Amanus, Taurus, and the Euphrates on the north and north-east. This tract of country is 450 miles long, and from sixty to a hundred and twenty miles broad. Its area is not much less than 50,000 square miles. Although some parts are unproductive, it is, on the whole, a region of great fertility, quite capable of forming the seat of a powerful empire. A land flowing with milk and honey.--This expression, here used for the first time, was already, it is probable, a proverbial one, denoting generally, richness and fertility. (SeeNumbers 13:27.) . . . Verse 8. - I am come down. Another anthropomorphism, and one very common in Scripture ( Genesis 11:5, 7; Genesis 18:21; Psalm 18:9; Psalm 144:5, etc.), connected of course with the idea that God has a special dwellingplace, which is above the earth. To bring them up. Literally correct. Palestine is at a much higher level than Egypt. (Compare Genesis 12:10; Genesis 13:1; Genesis 37:25; Genesis 39:1; Genesis 42:2; Genesis 46:3, 4; Genesis 50:25.) A good land and a large. The fertility of Palestine, though not equal to that of Egypt, was still very great. Eastward of Jordan, the soil is rich and productive, the country in places wooded with fine trees, and the herbage luxuriant. Vast tracts in the spring produce enormous crops of grain, and throughout the year pasturage of every kind is abundant. "Still the countless flocks and herds may be seen, droves of cattle moving on like troops of soldiers, descending at sunset to drink of the springs-literally, in the language of; the prophet, "rams, and lambs, and goats, and bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan (Stanley, Jewish Church, pp. 217, 218). The western region is less productive, but by careful cultivation in terraces may be made to bear excellent crops of corn, olives, and figs. Palestine proper to a modern European seems small, being about the size of Belgium, less than Holland or Hanover, and not much larger than Wales. It contains about 11,000 square miles. To an Israelite of the age of Moses such a land would appear sufficiently "large;" for it was considerably larger than the entire Delta of Egypt, whereof his nation occupied the smaller half; and it fell but little short of the entire cultivable area of the whole land of Egypt, which was the greatest and most powerful country known to him. It may be added that the land included in the covenant which God made with Abraham ( Genesis 15:18-21), and actually possessed by David and Solomon ( 1 Kings 4:21), was a "good land and a large," according even to modern notions, including (as it did) besides Palestine the whole of Syria, and thus containing an area of from 50,000 to 60,000 square miles. The phrase flowing with milk and honey, first used here, and so common in the later books ( Numbers 13:27; Deuteronomy 26:9, 15; Deuteronomy 31:20; Jeremiah 11:5; Jeremiah 32:22; Ezekiel 20:6, etc.) was probably a proverbial expression for "a land of plenty," and not intended literally. See what the spies say, Numbers 13:27 The enumeration of the nations of Palestine here made is incomplete, five only of the ten whose land was promised to Abraham ( Genesis 15:19-21) being expressly mentioned. One, however, that of the Hivites, is added. We may suppose that they had succeeded to the Kenizzites or the Kadmonites of Abraham's time. The only important omission is that of the Girgashites, who hold their place in most other enumerations ( Genesis 10:16; Genesis 15:21; Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 3:10; Joshua 24:11, etc.), but seem to have been the least important of the "seven nations,"and are omitted in Judges 3:5. ("Girgashites" is introduced in the Samaritan version and the Sept.)
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew I have come downוָאֵרֵ֞ד(wā·’ê·rêḏ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3381:To come or go down, descendto rescueלְהַצִּיל֣וֹ ׀(lə·haṣ·ṣî·lōw)Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5337:To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliverthem fromמִן־(min-)Preposition
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofthe handמִיַּ֣ד(mî·yaḏ)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027:A handof the Egyptiansמִצְרַ֗יִם(miṣ·ra·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713:Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egyptand to bring themוּֽלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ֮(ū·lə·ha·‘ă·lō·ṯōw)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyup out of thatהַהִוא֒(ha·hi·w)Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, arelandהָאָ֣רֶץ(hā·’ā·reṣ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landtoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toa goodטוֹבָה֙(ṭō·w·ḇāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodand spaciousוּרְחָבָ֔ה(ū·rə·ḥā·ḇāh)Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7342:Wide, broadland,אֶ֤רֶץ(’e·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landa landאֶ֛רֶץ(’e·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landflowingזָבַ֥ת(zā·ḇaṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2100:To flow freely, to have a, flux, to waste away, to overflowwith milkחָלָ֖ב(ḥā·lāḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2461:Milkand honey—וּדְבָ֑שׁ(ū·ḏə·ḇāš)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1706:Honey, syrupthe homeמְק֤וֹם(mə·qō·wm)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4725:A standing, a spot, a conditionof the Canaanites,הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙(hak·kə·na·‘ă·nî)Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3669:Canaanite -- inhabitant of CanaanHittites,וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י(wə·ha·ḥit·tî)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2850:Hittite -- a ChittiteAmorites,וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙(wə·hā·’ĕ·mō·rî)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 567:Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribePerizzites,וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י(wə·hap·pə·riz·zî)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6522:Perizzite -- a people in the land of CanaanHivites,וְהַחִוִּ֖י(wə·ha·ḥiw·wî)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2340:Hivite -- a Chivviteand Jebusites.וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃(wə·hay·ḇū·sî)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2983:Jebusite -- inhabitant of Jebus
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OT Law: Exodus 3:8 I have come down to deliver them (Exo. Ex) |
