Keraia
Exodus 4

Exodus 4:3

Moses’ Staff · Exodus 4:1–5
Read Exodus 4

Translations

Modern
“Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it.
Traditional
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
Literal
And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” And he cast it to the earth, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from before it.
Latin
Dixitque Dominus: Projice eam in terram. Projecit, et versa est in colubrum, ita ut fugeret Moyses.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it.

Notes

Exodus 4:3

Across the ancient Near East, the snake was a symbol of both death and healing. The person who demonstrated power in these areas was powerful indeed.

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

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

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 Wrought Through Servants of God: Moses and Aaron: Rod Turned Into a Serpent Miracles: Catalogue of The Transformation of Moses' Rod Into a Serpent 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 Serpent: The Staff of Moses Transformed Into Serpents: Miracles Connected With: Moses' Rod Turned Into Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Moses Token: Miracles of Moses, of the Divine Authority of his Missions