And relates this clause to the five other clauses in verses 3-5, so it should be translated according to the whole line of thought. Thus it may mean “then” (Good News Translation). This verse gives the result of the LORD’s hand upon Egypt, mentioned in the preceding verse as well as in the last part of this verse. (See also 3.19-20 and comment.) The Egyptians shall know means that the Egyptians do not yet acknowledge or perceive who the LORD really is, but they will after the LORD has punished them. This is the first of a series of statements that seem to answer the Pharaoh’s question in 5.2, “Who is the LORD?” (See 7.17; 8.10, 22; 9.14, 29.) As a result of the plagues in Egypt, they will “come to know” who he is (Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). (See also 6.7, where the Israelites are the ones who will know.)

I am the LORD is the “self-introductory formula” used throughout Exodus. (See the comment at 6.2.) The LORD, as in 5.2, is the personal name YHWH (Yahweh), which the Egyptians either did not know or did not acknowledge. The entire clause may also be understood as in Translator’s Old Testament: “the Egyptians will recognize me, the LORD, for what I am.” And Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “then will they recognize who I am, I, the Lord.” (See the comment on LORD at 3.2a and on know at 5.2.)

When I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt repeats the same idea as the idiom in verse 4. Good News Translation has “against them” instead of upon Egypt, since the word for Egypt may also mean “Egyptians.” The hand is a symbol of strength or power. Bring out is the same word as “bring forth” in verse 4. The people of Israel are the Israelites. From among them refers back to the Egyptians or to “their country.” In some languages it will be better style to restructure this verse, placing the final clauses at the beginning; for example:

• When I use my power against the Egyptians and bring the Israelites out of Egypt, the Egyptians will then know that I am Yahweh.

Or one may summarize the final clauses with a short statement, as Contemporary English Version does:

• When this happens [everything from verse 4 on], the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .