Exo 3:6, 16 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 6. I am the God of thy father ] Though the word abi, father , is here used in the singular, St Stephen, quoting this place, , uses the plural, οθεοςτωνπατερωνσου, 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, ( ,) 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 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.

‏ Exodus 3:6

Verse 6. I am the God of thy father] Though the word abi, father, is here used in the singular, St Stephen, quoting this place, Ac 7:32, uses the plural, οθεοςτωνπατερωνσου, 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 Clarke on Ge 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 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.

‏ Exodus 3:16

Verse 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, Ge 50:24, God will surely visit you, and in the same words too.