by the Name of God Almightie] Heb. Elshaddai. By that name he manifested himselfe, first to Abraham, Genesis 17:1. and afterwards to Isaac and Jacob. but by my Name JEHOVAH] This name is derived from Haja, which signifieth, is or hath beene. The former name signifieth (but in part) the nature of God, especially his Almighty power; but the name Jehovah importeth all his infinite perfections; especially first his being of himselfe, before the World was made, Isaiah 44:6. Secondly, his giving being to the creatures, Acts 17:25. And thirdly, his making good his promises by full, and answerable effects. The Jewes out of a superstitious respect to that name, (where they meet with it) forbeare to pronounce it, and used the name Adonai, in stead of it. was I not knowne] It seemes to have beene known to Abraham, Genesis 22:14. to Isaac, chap. 26. 24. and to Jacob, chap. 27. 20. The first mention of it we find, is in Genesis 2:4. when the Creation of the world was perfected, and not before: but though the Ancients (before Moses his time) knew him by his Name Jehovah, and according to all the importance of it fore-mentioned, yet was not God so fully known by that name unto them (especially as it importeth performance of promise) as he was to their posteritie, in Moses his time, by the actuall and admirable accomplishment of his promise, in their deliverance from Egypt, and conduct to Canaan. Their Ancestors had but a dimme and darke apprehension of that, which they are promised to have in full view and experimentally to know, in respect whereof, the precedent knowledge was but as the light of the starres, when the Sunne appeareth. See Genesis 22:12. So that the words are not to be taken as a precise negation, but by way of comparison, as Matthew 9:13.