Exodus 1-6
And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2
Introduction
At Mount Horeb, “the mountain of God,” Moses saw the burning bush. The vision of the burning bush unites three significant symbols of the “sacred center”: the bush (or tree), the mountain, and the Lord. This encounter is the earliest explicit biblical example of “standing in sacred space”. Because the ground was holy, Moses received the instruction to remove his sandals, a practice later reflected in the barefoot rituals of temple priests.
A couple of questions emerge from this episode: 1) Who appeared to Moses? 2) What do we know about the burning bush?
Who Appeared to Moses?
The Angel of the Lord
The biblical text initially states that the “Angel of the Lord” appeared to Moses in a flame of fire. Rabbinical Midrashim offer specific identities for this messenger, with some suggesting that he was Michael and others identifying him as Gabriel, both acting as constant attendants of the Divine Presence. These traditions often explain that the angel appeared first to show that the Shekinah, the Divine Presence, was near.
The Lord (Jehovah) and God (Elohim)
However, the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of Exodus 3:2 changes the phrase “angel of the Lord” to the “presence of the Lord” to show that the Lord Jehovah, Jesus Christ, Himself appeared to Moses in the burning bush rather than an angel.
The text speaks of the “presence of the Lord” (Jehovah), but then it shifts, and “God” (Elohim) calls to him from the midst of the bush. Latter-day Saints commonly identify the figure in the bush as the premortal Christ. In this view, Jesus Christ is sent by God the Father and speaks through divine investiture of authority. He acts as the Father’s voice, communicating what the Father would express. Yet, it’s possible, according to the text, that both the Father and the Son appeared during the event.
What Do We Know About the Burning Bush?
While the exact species of the bush has not been definitively determined, there are several linguistic, botanical, and symbolic possibilities.
Linguistic Identification: The Seneh
The Hebrew word used for the bush is snh (סְנֶה), often rendered as seneh, a rare term found only in this passage and Deuteronomy 33:16. Seneh may be a pun on Mount Sinai (סיני), foreshadowing the revelation that takes place there.
Because of its rarity, scholars find it difficult to translate precisely, though it is widely accepted to refer to a thornbush or bramble of some sort. In Rabbinical literature, the choice of such an “insignificant” and “lowly” plant is emphasized to show that no place is void of the Divine Presence (Shekinah). Other commentators have pointed out the similarities with the crown of thorns, which was pressed on the Savoir’s head prior to His crucifixion.
Botanical Possibilities
Several specific plants have been proposed by scholars and traditions:
- Acacia Tree: Some identify it as an acacia, noting it is the “only tree of the Arabian wilderness.” Specifically, it is sometimes described as an acacia covered with red flowers and fruit, which can create the visual impression of being illuminated or on fire without actually being consumed.
- Erica Tree: Another narrative suggests it was an erica tree, described as a species taller and bushier than a common heather bush.
- Sycamore: While the burning bush is distinct, the sources note that in Egyptian mythology, sycamores on the edge of the desert were often viewed as inhabited by deities, drawing a parallel to the “solitary tree””found in the wilderness.
Symbolic Identification
Its biological classification aside, the bush is frequently interpreted as representing the Tree of Life. Ancient traditions and scholars associate the burning bush with both the Tree of Life and the Menorah.
- The Menorah Connection: Nicolas Wyatt, a religious scholar, suggests the Jerusalem Temple Menorah likely symbolizes Moses’ vision of the burning bush.
- Burning Glory: Jehovah is represented as living on the Lord’s holy mountain, within the Tree of Life’s shining brilliance. The burning bush marks the beginning of God’s fiery revelation in the Exodus account. The bush briefly hosted the fiery presence, which then stayed on the mountain for months while the covenant was formed, before finally settling permanently in the Tabernacle once it was finished.
- A Symbol of Christ: The bush is a prototype of the Tree of Life, representing the Savior and His life-giving power.
Typological Parallels
- The First Vision: Orson Pratt compared Joseph Smith’s First Vision to the burning bush, noting that Joseph expected the leaves and boughs of the trees to be consumed by the brilliant light but was surprised when they were not.
- Transfiguration: A Byzantine mosaic at St. Catherine’s Monastery situates the burning bush above a scene of the Transfiguration, suggesting that the appearance of God to Moses in the bush foreshadowed Christ’s Transfiguration.
A Caution
A new dispensation began with Moses’ experience. The dispensation of the fullness of times commenced with Joseph Smith’s sacred grove event. President Kimball warned us: “The burning bushes, the smoking mountains, … the Cumorahs, and the Kirtlands were realities; but they were the exceptions. The great volume of revelation came to Moses and to Joseph and comes to today’s prophet in the less spectacular way—that of deep impressions, without spectacle or glamour or dramatic events.
“Always expecting the spectacular, many will miss entirely the constant flow of revealed communication” (in Conference Report, Munich Germany Area Conference, 1973, p. 77).
Conclusion
Moses’ revelation was more than just a personal experience; it marked the start of God working to liberate His people from Egyptian slavery. Also, the Book of Moses clarifies that God used this event to instruct the new prophet on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord instructed Moses to call upon the “Only Begotten” and to worship only Him. Furthermore, the burning bush event foreshadows the Savior’s Transfiguration and, subsequently, Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
We can stand with Moses on “holy ground,” as we enter sacred spaces. Our experience may not be a dramatic, but we can have a similar wonder, humility, and overwhelming gratitude. The sacred bush episode shows us that through God’s loving kindness, we can dwell in the presence of a holy God—and have what Brigham Young promised that “the fire of the covenant…[would] burn in your hearts, like flame unquenchable”.
