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Exodus 3:15 - Eternal covenant with patriarchs' God

Exodus 3:15 - שמות 3:15

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר עוֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶל־מֹשֶׁה כֹּה־תֹאמַר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם וְזֶה זִכְרִי לְדֹר דֹּר׃

English Translation

And God said moreover to Moshe, Thus shalt thou say to the children of Yisra᾽el, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Avraham the God of Yiżĥaq, and the God of Ya῾aqov, has sent me to you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial to all generations.

Transliteration

Va'yomer od Elohim el Moshe: Ko tomar el bnei Yisrael, Adonai Elohei avoteichem, Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak ve'Elohei Ya'akov, shelachani aleichem; ze shmi l'olam, ve'ze zichri l'dor dor.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ ע֨וֹד אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה כֹּֽה־תֹאמַר֮ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֗ם אֱלֹהֵ֨י אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֛ק וֵאלֹהֵ֥י יַעֲקֹ֖ב שְׁלָחַ֣נִי אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם זֶה־שְּׁמִ֣י לְעֹלָ֔ם וְזֶ֥ה זִכְרִ֖י לְדֹ֥ר דֹּֽר׃
וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ ע֨וֹד אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה כֹּֽה־תֹאמַר֮ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֗ם אֱלֹהֵ֨י אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֛ק וֵאלֹהֵ֥י יַעֲקֹ֖ב שְׁלָחַ֣נִי אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם זֶה־שְּׁמִ֣י לְעֹלָ֔ם וְזֶ֥ה זִכְרִ֖י לְדֹ֥ר דֹּֽר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Divine Name and Its Eternal Significance

The verse (Shemot 3:15) emphasizes the eternal nature of Hashem's name, stating, "זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם וְזֶה זִכְרִי לְדֹר דֹּר" ("This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations"). Rashi explains that the phrase "זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם" refers to the Sheim Havayah (the Tetragrammaton, י-ה-ו-ה), which signifies Hashem's eternal and unchanging nature. The term "זִכְרִי" (My memorial) alludes to the name א-ל-ק-י-ם, which denotes Hashem's attribute of justice and His role as Master of the universe.

The Connection to the Avot (Patriarchs)

Hashem identifies Himself as "אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב" ("the God of Avraham, the God of Yitzchak, and the God of Yaakov"). The Ramban notes that this formulation underscores the personal relationship Hashem had with each of the Avot, each of whom served Him in a unique way. Avraham embodied chesed (lovingkindness), Yitzchak exemplified gevurah (strength and discipline), and Yaakov personified tiferet (harmony and truth). By invoking their names, Hashem reassures Bnei Yisrael that He remains faithful to the covenant established with their forefathers.

The Eternal Covenant and Its Implications

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 3:6) teaches that this verse serves as a promise that just as Hashem's name endures forever, so too will His relationship with the Jewish people. The phrase "שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם" ("has sent me to you") reinforces the idea that Moshe's mission is divinely ordained, and the redemption from Egypt is part of Hashem's eternal plan. The Sforno adds that this declaration was meant to strengthen Bnei Yisrael's faith during their suffering, assuring them that their redemption was imminent.

The Prohibition Against Erasing Hashem's Name

The Talmud (Yoma 69b) derives from this verse the prohibition against erasing or defacing any of Hashem's sacred names. Since the verse states "זֶה־שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם", it implies that His name must be treated with everlasting reverence. This halachic principle underscores the sanctity of the Divine Name in Jewish tradition.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 9b
The verse is discussed in the context of the names of God and how they are to be used in prayer and blessings.
📖 Sanhedrin 111a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the attributes of God and His relationship with the patriarchs.
📖 Sotah 5a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the eternal nature of God's name and its significance in Jewish tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 3:15 mean when it says 'this is My name forever'?
A: The verse teaches that the name of Hashem (the four-letter Divine name Y-H-V-H) is eternal and unchanging. Rashi explains that this name represents God's attribute of mercy and faithfulness to His promises, showing that He will always be with the Jewish people just as He was with our forefathers Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.
Q: Why does God identify Himself as the God of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov specifically?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 16b) teaches that mentioning all three patriarchs emphasizes that God maintains a covenant with each generation. Rambam explains in Moreh Nevuchim that this connects the current revelation to Moshe with our ancestral tradition, showing continuity in our relationship with Hashem.
Q: What is the significance of God saying 'this is My memorial to all generations'?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 3:6) explains that this means God's name and deeds will be remembered in every generation through the Jewish people's observance of Torah and mitzvot. The Sforno adds that this memorial is maintained through our prayers and recitation of God's name in blessings.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: This foundational verse reminds us that we serve the same God as our ancestors did, and that our relationship with Hashem is eternal. The Chofetz Chaim teaches that this awareness should inspire us in our prayers and mitzvah observance, knowing we are part of an unbroken chain stretching back to the patriarchs.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse contains the essential Jewish concept of God's eternal nature and His personal relationship with the Jewish people. It is quoted daily in prayers and forms the basis of our understanding of Hashem's attributes. The Ramban notes that this declaration became the foundation for all future prophecy and our national identity.