Exodus 6:3 implies that the patriarchs did not know the name Yahweh even though it appears in Genesis. The verse immediately following, however, says, “I also established my covenant with them,” suggesting that the preceding statement could be a positive one, translated as a question: “I appeared . . . as El Shaddai and (by) my name, did I not make myself known to them?” The verb “to make known” appears in other passages with connotations of experiencing revelation.

While God did reveal himself by the name Yahweh to the patriarchs, the full implications of that name were not yet evident. Moses has complained that God has done nothing; this …