Come is literally “Go,” along with the word “Now,” which Revised Standard Version does not reflect. New International Version has “So now, go.” But most translations interpret these two opening words as “Come now” (New English Bible), in the sense of the idiomatic English expression “Come on!” Since this is now Moses’ commission, I will send you may be understood as “I am sending you” (Good News Translation). It may also be expressed as “I will cause you to go.” Pharaoh is “the king of Egypt.”

That you may bring forth my people is a purpose clause based on the src Samaritan Pentateuchsrc* and the Greek Septuagint. The src Masoretic textsrc*, however, uses an imperative form of the verb that makes this a separate command. So New English Bible has “you shall bring my people,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “you shall free My people.” Translator’s Old Testament is even stronger: “You must lead my people” (similarly Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch and Bible en français courant). My people, the sons of Israel should be understood as “my people, the Israelites,” or simply as “my people.” Sons of Israel usually means all the Israelites who were the descendants of Jacob, both male and female. Bring forth is simply “bring out,” in contrast with the verb used in verse 8.

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 .