Exodus 4:2

Translations

Modern

And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

Traditional

And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

Literal

And YHWH said to him, “What is in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”

Latin

Dixit ergo ad eum: Quid est quod tenes in manu tua? Respondit: Virga.

Original

Hebrew

English

And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

Notes

Exodus 4:1–9

The third protest of Moses was that he did not have enough power. He felt unable to do what God asked him to do.

God answered by showing his own great power. He performed signs immediately. He turned the staff of Moses into a snake. He also caused a serious skin disease to appear and then disappear at once.

Exodus 3:11–4:17

Moses, in his response to God, presented four reasons why he was not the one to fulfill God’s call. Although each reason supposedly relates to Moses and his ability, God’s answers show that they were really questions about God.

Exodus 3:1–4:28

This section describes the mission God gave Moses to rescue the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It is divided into two parts, 3:1–4:17 and 4:18–28.

The first part describes God's call. The second part describes the full consequences of accepting that call. Moses not only experienced a career change, but he also had to completely change his life.

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron Egypt Moses

Related verses

Exodus 4:20
So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.
Exodus 4:17
But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it.”
Psalm 110:2
The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
Isaiah 11:4
…but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
Leviticus 27:32
Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD.
Genesis 30:37
Jacob, however, took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches.
Micah 7:14
Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Bronze Snake, Bronze Serpent Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Joshua, Book of Moses Prophecy Prophet, Prophetess Sign

Topics

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Moses Communion: Moses Condescension of God: Reasons with Moses Israel: Moses Commissioned As the Deliverer Miracles were Evidences of a Divine Commission Miracles: Design of Moses: His Rod Miraculously Turned Into a Serpent, and his Hand Was Made Leprous, and Then Restored Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued with Miraculous Power Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Moses Token: Miracles of Moses, of the Divine Authority of his Missions

Exodus 4:2

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