Exodus 6:3
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God reveals he appeared to the patriarchs but was not known to them by his covenant name.
Context
This verse bridges the patriarchal period with the present moment. God reminds Moses that he appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as 'God Almighty' (El Shaddai), providing protection and promises of land and descendants, yet they did not know him by the specific name YHWH that defines the covenant relationship.
What Does Exodus 6:3 Mean?
This verse bridges the patriarchal period with the present moment. God reminds Moses that he appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as 'God Almighty' (El Shaddai), providing protection and promises of land and descendants, yet they did not know him by the specific name YHWH that defines the covenant relationship.
The distinction between knowing God by different names reflects deepening revelation. The patriarchs knew God's power and received covenant promises, but a fuller understanding of God's covenant identity—as the God who delivers Israel from bondage—awaits this generation. This progression shows how God reveals himself progressively through history.
In the Original Language
El Shaddai (אל שדי), 'God Almighty' — the name used in the patriarchal accounts, emphasizing God's strength and provision.