Exodus – Chapter 6

Old Testament • 30 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 6 of Exodus begins: "And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand…" The chapter centers on Moses, Pharaoh and Aaron. Across its 30 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he cast them out of his land.

2And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: I am the Lord

3That appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, by the name of God Almighty: and my name ADONAI I did not shew them.

4And I made a covenant with them, to give them the land of Chanaan, the land of their pilgrimage wherein they were strangers.

5I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, wherewith the Egyptians have oppressed them: and I have remembered my covenant.

6Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the Lord who will bring you out from the work-prison of the Egyptians, and will deliver you from bondage: and redeem you with a high arm, and great judgments.

7And I will take you to myself for my people, I will be your God: and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the work-prison of the Egyptians:

8And brought you into the land, concerning which I lifted up my hand to give it to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: and I will give it you to possess: I am the Lord.

9And Moses told all this to the children of Israel: but they did not hearken to him, for anguish of spirit, and most painful work.

10And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

11Go in, and speak to Pharao king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

12Moses answered before the Lord: Behold the children of Israel do not hearken to me: and how will Pharao hear me, especially as I am of uncircumcised lips?

13And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, and he gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharao the king of Egypt, that they should bring forth the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

14These are the heads of their houses by their families. The sons of Ruben the firstborn of Israel: Henoch and Phallu, Hesron and Charmi.

15These are the kindreds of Ruben. The sons of Simeon, Jamuel and Jamin, and Ahod, and Jachin, and Soar, and Saul the son of a Chanaanitess: these are the families of Simeon.

16And these are the names of the sons of Levi by their kindreds: Gerson, and Caath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were a hundred and thirty-seven.

17The sons of Gerson: Lobni and Semei, by their kindreds.

18The sons of Caath: Amram, and Isaar, and Hebron and Oziel. And the years of Caath's life, were a hundred and thirty-three.

19The sons of Merari: Moholi and Musi. These are the kindreds of Levi by their families.

20And Amram took to wife Jochabed his aunt by the father's side: and she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of Amram's life, were a hundred and thirty-seven.

21The sons also of Isaar: Core, and Nepheg, and Zechri.

22The sons also of Oziel: Mizael, and Elizaphan, and Sethri.

23And Aaron took to wife Elizabeth the daughter of Aminadab, sister of Nahason, who bore him Nadab, and Abiu, and Eleazar, and Ithamar.

24The sons also of Core: Aser, and Elcana, and Abiasaph. These are the kindreds of the Corites.

25But Eleazar the son of Aaron took a wife of the daughters of Phutiel: and she bore him Phinees. These are the heads of the Levitical families by their kindreds.

26These are Aaron and Moses, whom the Lord commanded to bring forth the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their companies.

27These are they that speak to Pharao, king of Egypt, in order to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron,

28In the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt.

29And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: I am the Lord; speak thou to Pharao, king of Egypt, all that I say to thee.

30And Moses said before the Lord: Lo I am of uncircumcised lips, how will Pharao hear me?

Important Verses in Exodus 6

“And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he cast them out of his land.”

Exodus 6:1

“And I will take you to myself for my people, I will be your God: and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the work-prison of the Egyptians:”

Exodus 6:7

“Moses answered before the Lord: Behold the children of Israel do not hearken to me: and how will Pharao hear me, especially as I am of uncircumcised lips?”

Exodus 6:12

“And Moses said before the Lord: Lo I am of uncircumcised lips, how will Pharao hear me? ”

Exodus 6:30

Historical Context

Exodus belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial. Chapter 6 of 40 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 30 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses, Pharaoh, Aaron and Abraham appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and…" The chapter ends with: "And Moses said before the Lord: Lo I am of uncircumcised lips, how will Pharao hear me? " Read against its original backdrop, Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Exodus around Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 30-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of liberation, law, and worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he cast them…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Exodus 6 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2632).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • ✓God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Moses12 mentionsPharaoh7 mentionsAaron6 mentionsAbraham2 mentionsEleazar2 mentionsSimeon2 mentions

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Exodus Chapter 6 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that liberation, law, and worship is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the call to holiness in ordinary life.

Let Exodus Chapter 6 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 6 about?

Exodus 6 contains 30 verses. It opens with "And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and…" and closes with "And Moses said before the Lord: Lo I am of uncircumcised lips, how will Pharao hear me? ". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 6?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he cast them out of his land." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 6?

This chapter mentions Moses, Pharaoh, Aaron, Abraham, Eleazar, among others.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Related Chapters

Numbers 3Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 23Shares people and themes with this chapterHebrews 7Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏The Our Father🙏Novena to Christ the King

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

Deepen your understanding with these related articles

Catholic Living

The Ten Commandments Explained: God's Moral Law

12 min readRead article
Bible & Faith

The Ten Commandments: Catholic Understanding for Moral Life

11 min readRead article
Bible & Faith

Theological Reflections on Miracles and Natural Law

7 min readRead article
Explore All Articles