Structure – Shemot 3 – 4:17/0

Structural Analysis – Shemot 3:1 – 4:17
"Commissioning of Moshe"

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Broader Context

Shemot 3:1 – 4:17 is part of the larger unit "First Mission Fails" which encompasses Chapters 2–5 of Sefer Shemot. For elaboration and various possible subdivisions of this unit, see Structure of Sefer Shemot.

Step 1 – Boundaries of the Unit

"Commissioning of Moshe" (3:1 – 4:17)

• This unit describes the episode of the Burning Bush, in which Moshe is given a mission to take the Israelites out of Egypt.¹
• Characters – Only Moshe and Hashem appear in this unit, while in the surrounding chapters, there is interaction with Paroh, Yitro, Aharon, and the Israelites.
• Setting – This unit is set at Sinai ("הַר הָאֱלֹהִים חֹרֵבָה", Shemot 3:1), whereas the previous and subsequent units occur in Egypt and Midian.

Step 2 – Division into Stages

O. "Introduction: Backdrop for Hashem's Revelation" (3:1-5)2
I.   "General Mission" (3:6-15)
II.  "Details of the Mission" (3:16 – 4:17)

• The first five verses of the unit set the stage for Moshe's prophetic initiation. The revelation itself consists of two stages. In the first, Hashem assigns Moshe to speak to both Paroh and the Israelites, while in the second, He provides him with more detailed instructions.
• Frame – The first scene opens with Hashem identifying himself as "אֱלֹהֵי אָבִיךָ אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב" and concludes with Hashem telling Moshe to identify Him to the Israelites as "אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב".‎³
• Plot – Each stage consists of Hashem's instructions, two or three⁴ of Moshe's concerns, and Hashem's replies. In each stage, one of Moshe's concerns relates to his credibility and another to what he will say to the people, and in each, Hashem responds to the former by providing an "אוֹת" (sign) and to the latter by helping Moshe with his speech.
• Parallel language – Each stage opens with very similar language describing how Hashem has seen the plight of the Children of Israel and is coming to save them and bring them to the land of Israel.⁵
• Contrasts – While in the first stage Hashem describes his plans to Moshe, in the second stage Hashem tells Moshe what to announce to the Israelites. Additionally, in the first stage Hashem simply tells Moshe to go to Paroh and take the Israelites out of Egypt, while in the second stage Hashem devises a more complicated plan which begins with a request for a three day journey.
• Masoretic markers – This structure matches the division of the aliyot which place a break after 3:15.

Step 3.1 – Subdivision of Stage I

A. "Hashem's Instructions" (3:6-10)
B. "Moshe's Objections and Hashem's Responses" (3:11-15)

Step 3.2 – Subdivision of Stage II

A. "Hashem's Instructions" (3:16-22)
B. "Moshe's Objections and Hashem's Responses" (4:1-17)

• Frame – The second section is framed by the mention of Moshe's staff ("מַה זֶּה בְיָדֶךָ וַיֹּאמֶר מַטֶּה", "הַמַּטֶּה הַזֶּה תִּקַּח בְּיָדֶךָ").
• Parallels – Moshe's concern of "וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ בְּקֹלִי כִּי יֹאמְרוּ לֹא נִרְאָה אֵלֶיךָ ה'" echoes Hashem's instructions of "ה' אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם נִרְאָה אֵלַי... וְשָׁמְעוּ לְקֹלֶךָ"

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¹ There are differing opinions as to both the beginning and end of this unit. See the discussion in Structure of Shemot 2 for the reasons this analysis groups Shemot 2:23–25 with what comes before it and for dissenting views. This analysis also understands Shemot 4:18-28 to be the beginning of the next unit, as it begins the realization of Moshe's mission. See also Structure of Shemot 2 regarding the disadvantages of the alternative.

² The division here views the Introduction as the backdrop for the entire revelation. It is possible, though, to see the Introduction as part of Scene I.

³ The identification of Hashem as the God of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov occurs only four times in all of Tanakh, and all of them are here at Hashem's revelation at the Burning Bush. The first two are in the first stage of the revelation, and the final two are in the second stage. [There are three additional occurrences of "אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיִשְׂרָאֵל" in Melakhim I 18:36, Divrei HaYamim I 29:18, Divrei HaYamim II 30:6.]

⁴ Moshe's last two objections are closely related to each other, as can be seen by the similarity in Hashem's responses (both contain the identical language of "וְאָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה עִם פִּיךָ וְהוֹרֵיתִיךָ / וְהוֹרֵיתִי").

⁵ Compare "רָאֹה רָאִיתִי אֶת עֳנִי עַמִּי אֲשֶׁר בְּמִצְרָיִם... וָאֵרֵד לְהַצִּילוֹ מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ מִן הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא אֶל אֶרֶץ טוֹבָה וּרְחָבָה אֶל אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ אֶל מְקוֹם הַכְּנַעֲנִי וְהַחִתִּי וְהָאֱמֹרִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי וְהַחִוִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי" in 3:7-8 with "פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּ אֶתְכֶם וְאֶת הֶעָשׂוּי לָכֶם בְּמִצְרָיִם. וָאֹמַר אַעֲלֶה אֶתְכֶם מֵעֳנִי מִצְרַיִם אֶל אֶרֶץ הַכְּנַעֲנִי וְהַחִתִּי וְהָאֱמֹרִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי וְהַחִוִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי אֶל אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ" in 3:16-17.