Exodus 6:12

Translations

Modern

But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”

Traditional

And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

Literal

And Moses spoke before the face of YHWH, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; and how shall Pharaoh listen to me, and I am uncircumcised of lips?”

Latin

Respondit Moyses coram Domino: Ecce filii Israël non audiunt me: et quomodo audiet Pharao, præsertim cum incircumcisus sim labiis?

Original

Hebrew

English

But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”

Notes

Exodus 6:10–13

The crisis reached its lowest point. Even Moses returned to the same struggle he had faced at Mount Sinai. There, when God first called him, Moses had protested and said he was not able to do the task (3:1–4:13).

Now Moses once again felt unsure and overwhelmed. However, God did not change his plan. He renewed his command and sent Moses forward again.

Exodus 6:1–13

God renewed his promises. The offer of rescue emphasized the main question. Pharaoh asked: "Who is the LORD?" (5:2). While the Israelites needed rescue from slavery, their greater need was to know the Lord. The main purpose of God’s renewed promises was “you will know that I am the LORD your God” (6:7).

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh Promised Land

Events

Exodus from Egyptc. 1491 BC

Related verses

Exodus 4:10
“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
Exodus 6:30
But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “Since I am unskilled in speech, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”
Jeremiah 1:6
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
Jeremiah 6:10
To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.
Acts 7:51
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
Exodus 6:9
Moses relayed this message to the Israelites, but on account of their broken spirit and cruel bondage, they did not listen to him.
Leviticus 26:41
…and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity,
Exodus 4:29–31
Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites,
Exodus 3:13
Then Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?”
Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”
Exodus 5:19–21
The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.”
Deuteronomy 30:6
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during the Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Circumcision Deuteronomy, Book of

Topics

Autism Circumcision: Figurative Circumcision: Purity of Speech Despondency: when Sent on his Mission to the Israelites Doubting: Exemplified Moses: Character of Impatience of

Exodus 6:12

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