Exodus 3:15 is God’s answer to Moses when he asks what name he should give the Israelites. God tells Moses to say that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, has sent him, and that this name is his forever and his memorial for every generation. In other words, God gives his covenant name as a lasting identity that Israel can remember and call upon.
God speaks these words to Moses at the burning bush, shortly after Moses has been commissioned to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses is the one who must carry the message, and the Israelites are the people who need to hear it.
God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations.
Exodus 3:15 (WEB)
What Exodus 3:15 Means
The phrase “The LORD, the God of your fathers” connects the present moment to a history the people already know. The name LORD, written in capitals in most English Bibles, stands for the personal name of God that Israel came to revere. Calling him “the God of your fathers” reminds the listeners that he is not a new deity but the same faithful God who made promises to their ancestors.
The list “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” anchors that promise in three specific lives. God does not simply say he is powerful; he identifies himself through relationships. The verse does not promise that every hardship will vanish, but it does assure the people that the God who is rescuing them is the same God who has kept his word across generations.
The last sentence, “This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations,” tells us that God’s name is meant to be remembered and spoken across time. It is a promise of continuity, not a guarantee of any particular outcome in a single life.
The Context of Exodus 3:15
Exodus is the second book of the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, traditionally attributed to Moses. It tells the story of Israel’s enslavement in Egypt, their deliverance, and their formation as a nation under God’s covenant. The audience of the book is the people of Israel, and the account is shaped to keep their memory of God’s rescue alive.
Just before verse 15, God has told Moses that he will be with him and that the people will worship God on this very mountain (verse 12). Moses then asks what name he should give when the people question him (verse 13). Verse 14 gives the enigmatic answer “I AM WHO I AM.” Verse 15 follows that with a name the people can recognize from their own family history. Read this way, verse 15 grounds the mysterious self-description in the familiar story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it prepares Moses to speak to the elders in verses 16 to 18.
Key Phrases in Exodus 3:15
Genesis 28:13
Behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land whereon you lie, to you will I give it, and to your offspring.
(WEB)
In this verse God introduces himself to Jacob as the God of Abraham and Isaac, promising the land and descendants. It shows the same covenant identity that Exodus 3:15 later recalls, confirming that the God who speaks to Moses is the God who made those original promises.
Exodus 34:6
The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD! The LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth…
(WEB)
This verse records God’s self-revelation after the golden calf incident, describing his compassion, grace, and faithfulness. Reading it alongside Exodus 3:15 deepens the understanding of God’s name, showing that the identity he gives Moses is one marked by mercy and steadfast love.
A Short Prayer From Exodus 3:15
Lord, you are the God of those who came before us, and you have never stopped being the God who keeps his word. When I feel unsure of who you are or what you will do, remind me that your name is not a passing title but a promise that carries through every generation. Help me to remember your faithfulness in my own story and to speak it to the people who depend on me. Give me steady trust in the God who has been with my family and who will be with those who come after me. Amen.
