Bible Commentaries
Exodus 4

Introduction

Overview

Exodus 4:1, Moses’s rod is turned into a serpent; Exodus 4:6, His hand is leprous; Exodus 4:10, He is loath to be sent; Exodus 4:13, Aaron is appointed to assist him; Exodus 4:18, Moses departs from Jethro; Exodus 4:21, God’s message to Pharaoh; Exodus 4:24, Zipporah circumcises her son; Exodus 4:27, Aaron is sent to meet Moses; Exodus 4:29, The people believe them.

Verse 1

Exodus 4:31, Exodus 2:14, Exodus 3:18, Jeremiah 1:6, Ezekiel 3:14, Acts 7:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:1 - appeared Genesis 24:14 - thereby Exodus 3:12 - token Exodus 4:5 - That they Exodus 4:10 - eloquent Exodus 4:13 - send Numbers 16:28 - Hereby Judges 6:17 - show Judges 6:36 - If thou wilt

Verse 2

a rod: Exodus 4:17, Exodus 4:20, Genesis 30:37, Leviticus 27:32, Psalms 110:2, Isaiah 11:4, Micah 7:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:30 - did the Exodus 7:9 - Take Exodus 7:15 - the rod Exodus 14:16 - lift Exodus 17:9 - the rod Numbers 17:2 - twelve rods Numbers 20:8 - the rod Numbers 22:9 - What men 2 Kings 13:17 - The arrow

Verse 3

it became: Exodus 4:17, Exodus 7:10-15, Amos 5:19

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:3 - General

Verse 4

put forth: Genesis 22:1, Genesis 22:2, Psalms 91:13, Mark 16:18, Luke 10:19, Acts 28:3-6

And he put: John 2:5

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 6:7 - put out

Verse 5

That they: Exodus 4:1, Exodus 3:18, Exodus 4:31, Exodus 19:9, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Isaiah 7:9, John 5:36, John 11:15, John 11:42, John 20:27, John 20:31

the Lord: Exodus 3:15, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 17:1, Genesis 18:1, Genesis 26:2, Genesis 48:3, Jeremiah 31:3, Acts 7:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:6 - I am Exodus 16:12 - ye shall know 1 Chronicles 29:18 - Lord God Isaiah 42:8 - that is Acts 7:32 - I am

Verse 6

leprous as snow: Numbers 12:10, 2 Kings 5:27

Reciprocal: Leviticus 8:11 - General Leviticus 13:2 - the plague of leprosy 2 Kings 5:10 - thy flesh Luke 5:12 - full Luke 6:10 - Stretch

Verse 7

it was turned: Numbers 12:13, Numbers 12:14, Deuteronomy 32:39, 2 Kings 5:14, Matthew 8:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:3 - multiply Leviticus 13:2 - the plague of leprosy 2 Kings 5:10 - thy flesh Luke 6:10 - Stretch

Verse 8

if they: Exodus 4:30, Exodus 4:31, Isaiah 28:10, John 12:37

that they: Deuteronomy 32:39, 2 Kings 5:7, Job 5:18

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:28 - told Aaron 1 Samuel 10:7 - signs 1 Kings 13:3 - General John 6:30 - What

Verse 9

the water: Exodus 7:19

shall become: Heb. shall be, and shall be

blood: Exodus 1:22, Exodus 7:19-25, Matthew 7:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:1 - the river Exodus 4:28 - told Aaron Exodus 4:31 - believed Exodus 7:17 - and they 1 Kings 13:3 - General John 2:11 - beginning

Verse 10

eloquent: Heb. a man of words, Exodus 4:1, Job 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-4, 2 Corinthians 10:10, 2 Corinthians 11:6

heretofore: Heb. since yesterday, nor since the third day, slow of speech Exodus 6:12, Jeremiah 1:6, Acts 7:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:2 - as before Exodus 3:11 - General Exodus 6:30 - uncircumcised Joshua 3:4 - heretofore Joshua 5:14 - my lord Judges 4:8 - General Judges 6:15 - wherewith Judges 7:10 - General 1 Samuel 19:7 - in times past 1 Kings 3:9 - who is able 2 Kings 13:5 - beforetime Isaiah 3:3 - eloquent orator Isaiah 6:5 - a man Isaiah 6:8 - Whom Daniel 10:16 - my Lord Mark 7:37 - he maketh Mark 13:11 - take Acts 18:24 - an 2 Corinthians 3:5 - that 2 Corinthians 12:9 - My grace

Verse 11

Genesis 18:14, Psalms 51:15, Psalms 94:9, Psalms 146:8, Isaiah 6:7, Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 35:6, Isaiah 42:7, Jeremiah 1:6, Jeremiah 1:9, Ezekiel 3:26, Ezekiel 3:27, Ezekiel 33:22, Amos 3:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:28 - and all Numbers 22:28 - the Lord opened Proverbs 16:1 - and Proverbs 20:12 - General Song of Solomon 2:14 - that art Isaiah 32:4 - the tongue Isaiah 42:18 - ye deaf Isaiah 50:4 - God Isaiah 57:19 - the fruit Matthew 9:33 - the dumb Mark 7:37 - he maketh Luke 1:20 - thou shalt Luke 12:12 - General Luke 21:15 - I will Luke 24:45 - General John 5:19 - and John 9:7 - and came John 10:21 - Can Acts 2:4 - as Acts 9:8 - he saw 2 Corinthians 3:5 - but James 1:17 - good

Verse 12

Psalms 25:4, Psalms 25:5, Psalms 32:9, Psalms 143:10, Isaiah 49:2, Isaiah 50:4, Jeremiah 1:9, Matthew 10:19, Matthew 10:20, Mark 13:11, Luke 11:1, Luke 12:11, Luke 12:12, Luke 21:14, Luke 21:15, John 14:26, Ephesians 6:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:12 - Certainly Exodus 18:19 - God shall Joshua 24:5 - sent 2 Chronicles 17:3 - the Lord Psalms 105:26 - sent Proverbs 16:1 - and Isaiah 57:19 - the fruit Jeremiah 15:19 - as my Ezekiel 3:27 - I will Matthew 9:33 - the dumb Acts 2:4 - as Acts 6:10 - able Acts 9:15 - Go Acts 15:7 - by my Acts 18:10 - I am James 1:17 - good

Verse 13

send: Exodus 4:1, Exodus 23:20, Genesis 24:7, Genesis 48:16, Judges 2:1, 1 Kings 19:4, Jeremiah 1:6, Jeremiah 20:9, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 3:15, Jonah 1:3, Jonah 1:6, Matthew 13:41, John 6:29

wilt send: or, shouldest

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:35 - hand Numbers 11:26 - went not out Joshua 5:14 - my lord Joshua 24:5 - sent 1 Chronicles 6:15 - by the hand Jeremiah 37:2 - the prophet Daniel 10:16 - my Lord Haggai 1:1 - by Haggai Acts 9:13 - Lord Acts 26:19 - I was not 1 Corinthians 9:17 - against

Verse 14

anger: 2 Samuel 6:7, 1 Kings 11:9, 1 Chronicles 21:7, Luke 9:59, Luke 9:60, Acts 15:28, Philippians 2:21

cometh: Exodus 4:17, 1 Samuel 10:1-7, Mark 14:13-15, 2 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 7:6, 2 Corinthians 7:7, 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:27 - Go into Exodus 31:6 - I have given Numbers 11:26 - went not out 1 Samuel 2:27 - Did I 1 Samuel 12:8 - sent Moses Ecclesiastes 4:9 - are Isaiah 3:3 - eloquent orator Jonah 1:3 - to flee Mark 6:7 - two and Acts 11:11 - General Acts 26:19 - I was not Acts 28:15 - when 1 Corinthians 9:17 - against

Verse 15

and put: Exodus 7:1, Exodus 7:2, 2 Samuel 14:3, Isaiah 51:16, Isaiah 59:21

and I: Numbers 22:38, Numbers 23:5, Numbers 23:12, Numbers 23:16, Deuteronomy 18:18, Isaiah 51:16, Jeremiah 1:9, Matthew 28:20, Luke 21:15, 1 Corinthians 11:23, 1 Corinthians 15:1

will teach: Deuteronomy 5:31

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:12 - Certainly Exodus 4:28 - told Aaron Exodus 31:6 - I have given Deuteronomy 31:19 - put it in their 1 Samuel 16:3 - and I will show 2 Samuel 14:19 - he put Ezra 8:17 - I told them Proverbs 16:1 - and Jeremiah 15:19 - as my Jeremiah 36:32 - who Ezekiel 3:8 - General Matthew 10:19 - it shall Mark 6:7 - two and Luke 1:64 - his mouth

Verse 16

Exodus 7:1, Exodus 7:2, Exodus 18:19, Psalms 82:6, John 10:34, John 10:35

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:7 - a prophet Exodus 4:28 - told Aaron Exodus 4:30 - And Aaron 1 Samuel 28:13 - gods ascending Job 33:6 - in Job 36:2 - I have yet to speak Jeremiah 1:9 - Behold Jeremiah 15:19 - as my Jeremiah 36:32 - who Ezekiel 3:8 - General Luke 1:64 - his mouth

Verse 17

Exodus 4:2, Exodus 7:9, Exodus 7:19, 1 Corinthians 1:27

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:3 - it became Exodus 4:14 - cometh Exodus 4:20 - the rod of God Exodus 14:16 - lift Leviticus 8:11 - General Numbers 17:2 - twelve rods Numbers 20:8 - the rod 2 Kings 4:29 - take my 2 Kings 13:17 - The arrow

Verse 18

Jethro: Heb. Jether, Exodus 3:1

Let me go: 1 Timothy 6:1

and see: Genesis 45:3, Acts 15:36

Go in peace: 1 Samuel 1:17, Luke 7:50, Acts 16:36, In the LXX and Coptic, the following addition is made to this verse: ופב הו פבע חלוסבע פבע נןככבע וךויםבע ופוכוץפחףום ן גבףיכוץע ידץנפןץ, "After these many days, the king of Egypt died." This was probably an ancient side-note, which crept into the text, as it appeared to throw light on the next verse.

Reciprocal: Exodus 2:18 - General Exodus 18:1 - Jethro Judges 1:16 - Moses' 1 Samuel 10:16 - matter 2 Kings 5:19 - Go in peace Luke 8:48 - go Acts 7:23 - to Acts 15:33 - they were

Verse 19

Midian: A country in Arabia Petrea, on the eastern coast of the Red Sea, near Mount Sinai. This place is still called by the Arabs the Land of Midian, or of Jethro. Abulfeda, speaking of Midian, says, "Madyan is a city, in ruins, on the shore of the Red Sea, on the opposite side to Tabuc, from which it is distant about six days' journey. At Midian may be seen the famous well at which Moses watered the flocks of Shoaib - Jethro. This city was the capital of the tribe of Midian in the days of the Israelites."

for all: Exodus 2:15, Exodus 2:23, Matthew 2:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:21 - Hadad Acts 7:29 - General Hebrews 11:27 - not fearing

Verse 20

the rod of God: Exodus 4:2, Exodus 4:17, Exodus 17:9, Numbers 20:8, Numbers 20:9

Reciprocal: Exodus 2:21 - Zipporah Exodus 7:9 - Take Exodus 14:16 - lift Numbers 18:20 - General 2 Kings 4:24 - Then she 1 Chronicles 23:15 - Gershom Acts 7:29 - General

Verse 21

wonders: Exodus 3:20

I will harden: Exodus 7:3, Exodus 7:13, Exodus 9:12, Exodus 9:35, Exodus 10:1, Exodus 10:20, Exodus 14:8, Genesis 6:3, Deuteronomy 2:30-33, Deuteronomy 2:36, Joshua 11:20, 1 Kings 22:22, Psalms 105:25, Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 63:17, John 12:40, Romans 1:28, Romans 9:18, Romans 11:8-10, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, 1 Peter 2:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 8:15 - he hardened Exodus 8:32 - General Exodus 9:34 - and hardened Exodus 10:27 - General Exodus 11:10 - the Lord Exodus 14:4 - harden 1 Kings 22:23 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 18:22 - the lord hath

Verse 22

Israel: Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 14:1, Jeremiah 31:9, Hosea 11:1, Romans 9:4, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Hebrews 12:23, James 1:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:2 - the sons Exodus 9:1 - General Exodus 13:2 - Sanctify Exodus 15:2 - my God Exodus 21:4 - shall be her Deuteronomy 32:6 - thy father 2 Kings 1:16 - Forasmuch 1 Chronicles 2:42 - his firstborn Isaiah 63:8 - Surely Isaiah 63:16 - thou art Isaiah 64:8 - thou art Jeremiah 2:3 - all that Jeremiah 2:14 - Israel Malachi 1:6 - if then Matthew 2:15 - Out John 8:41 - we have

Verse 23

Exodus 11:5, Exodus 12:29, Psalms 78:51, Psalms 105:36, Psalms 135:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:2 - the sons Exodus 7:14 - he refuseth Exodus 9:1 - General Exodus 9:2 - General Exodus 14:17 - I will Deuteronomy 14:1 - the children 2 Kings 1:16 - Forasmuch 1 Chronicles 2:42 - his firstborn Isaiah 63:8 - Surely Jeremiah 2:3 - all that Malachi 1:6 - if then

Verse 24

the inn: Genesis 42:27, The account in this and the two following verses, although rather obscure, seems to imply, that on their way to the land of Egypt, an angel appeared to Moses, and sought to kill his son, on account of his father's non-observance of the Lord's positive command to Abraham, that every man child of the Jewish nation, or born in his house in servitude, should be circumcised on the eighth day; and the Zipporah, at the command of Moses, immediately fulfilled the injunction, and thus averted the wrath of God, denounced against the disobedient: "The uncircumcised man child, whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people." Genesis 17:14

the Lord: Exodus 3:18, Numbers 22:22, Numbers 22:23, 1 Chronicles 21:16, Hosea 13:8

sought: Genesis 17:14, Leviticus 10:3, 1 Kings 13:24

Reciprocal: Luke 2:7 - the inn Luke 10:34 - an inn

Verse 25

a sharp stone: or, knife, Joshua 5:2, Joshua 5:3

cast it: Heb. made it touch.

a bloody: 2 Samuel 16:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:10 - Every Genesis 17:11 - the flesh Exodus 18:2 - Zipporah

Verse 26

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:2 - Zipporah

Verse 27

Go into: Exodus 4:14-16, Ecclesiastes 4:9, Acts 10:5, Acts 10:6, Acts 10:20

the mount: Exodus 3:1, Exodus 19:3, Exodus 20:18, Exodus 24:15-17, 1 Kings 19:8

kissed him: Genesis 29:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:13 - kissed Genesis 31:28 - kiss Genesis 45:15 - Moreover 1 Samuel 2:27 - Did I 1 Samuel 12:8 - sent Moses Acts 11:11 - General

Verse 28

told Aaron: Exodus 4:8, Exodus 4:9, Exodus 4:15, Exodus 4:16, Jonah 3:2, Matthew 21:29

and all: Exodus 4:11-13

Verse 29

Exodus 3:16, Exodus 24:1, Exodus 24:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:12 - children Exodus 7:3 - And I Exodus 19:7 - and laid Numbers 11:16 - seventy

Verse 30

And Aaron: Exodus 4:16

did the: Exodus 4:2-9

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:8 - if they Exodus 12:3 - Speak ye Exodus 19:7 - and laid Numbers 12:2 - Hath the Lord Judges 7:15 - worshipped

Verse 31

believed: Exodus 4:8, Exodus 4:9, Exodus 3:18, Psalms 106:12, Psalms 106:13, Luke 8:13

visited: Exodus 3:16, Luke 1:68

looked: Exodus 2:25, Exodus 3:7

bowed: Exodus 12:27, Genesis 17:3, Genesis 24:26, 1 Chronicles 29:20, 2 Chronicles 20:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:1 - visited Genesis 29:32 - looked Genesis 50:24 - visit you Exodus 4:1 - General Exodus 4:5 - That they Exodus 5:21 - The Lord Exodus 13:19 - God Exodus 14:31 - believed Exodus 33:10 - worshipped Exodus 34:8 - General Deuteronomy 26:7 - we cried Judges 7:15 - worshipped Ruth 1:6 - visited 1 Samuel 1:11 - look 2 Chronicles 7:3 - they bowed Nehemiah 8:6 - bowed Psalms 8:4 - visitest Psalms 119:132 - Look Lamentations 1:9 - behold Ezekiel 20:5 - and made Zephaniah 2:7 - shall visit Zechariah 10:3 - visited Luke 7:16 - God Acts 7:34 - I have seen