Exodus 4

Moses Given Powerful Signs

1 Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' " 2 So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod." 3 And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), 5 "that they may a believe that the b LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." 6 Furthermore the LORD said to him, "Now put your hand in your bosom." And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, c like snow. 7 And He said, "Put your hand in your bosom again." So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, d it was restored like his other flesh. 8 "Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the e first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. 9 "And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from 1 the river 2 and pour it on the dry land. f The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land."

10 Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but g I am slow of speech and 3 slow of tongue." 11 So the LORD said to him, h "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12 "Now therefore, go, and I will be i with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." 13 But he said, "O my Lord, j please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." 14 So k the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: "Is not Aaron the Levite your l brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, m he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 "Now n you shall speak to him and o put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and p I will teach you what you shall do. 16 "So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and q you shall be to him as God. 17 "And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs."

Moses Returns to Egypt

18 So Moses went and returned to r Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, "Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, s "Go in peace." 19 Now the LORD said to Moses in t Midian, "Go, return to u Egypt; for v all the men who sought your life are dead." 20 Then Moses w took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took x the rod of God in his hand.

21 And the LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those y wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But z I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 "Then you shall a say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD: b "Israel is My son, c My firstborn. 23 "So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed d I will kill your son, your firstborn." ' "

24 And it came to pass on the way, at the e encampment, that the LORD f met him and sought to g kill him. 25 Then h Zipporah took i a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and 4 cast it at 5 Moses' feet, and said, "Surely you are a husband of blood to me!" 26 So He let him go. Then she said, "You are a 6 husband of blood!" - because of the circumcision.

27 And the LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness j to meet Moses." So he went and met him on k the mountain of God, and kissed him. 28 So Moses l told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the m signs which He had commanded him. 29 Then Moses and Aaron n went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. 30 o And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 So the people p believed; and when they heard that the LORD had q visited the children of Israel and that He r had looked on their affliction, then s they bowed their heads and worshiped.

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 4:31
    So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.
    Exodus 19:9
    And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever." So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 28:13
    And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.
    Genesis 48:15
    And he blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day.
    Exodus 3:6
    Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
    Exodus 3:15
    Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.
  3. Cross References
    Numbers 12:10
    And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper.
    2 Kings 5:27
    Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
  4. Cross References
    Numbers 12:13 - 15
    So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "Please heal her, O God, I pray!
    Deuteronomy 32:39
    Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 7:6 - 13
    Then Moses and Aaron did so; just as the LORD commanded them, so they did.
  6. Cross References
    Exodus 7:19
    Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.'
    Exodus 7:20
    And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
  7. Cross References
    Exodus 3:11
    But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?
    Exodus 4:1
    Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.'
    Exodus 6:12
    And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, "The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?
    Jeremiah 1:6
    Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 94:9
    He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
    Psalms 146:8
    The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous.
    Matthew 11:5
    The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
    Luke 1:20
    "But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
    Luke 1:64
    Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
  9. Cross References
    Exodus 4:15
    Now you shall speak to him and put the words in...
    Exodus 4:16
    So he shall be your spokesman to the people. An...
    Deuteronomy 18:18
    I will raise up for them a Prophet like you fro...
    Isaiah 50:4
    The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the lea...
    Jeremiah 1:9
    Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my...
    Matthew 10:19
    But when they deliver you up, do not worry abou...
    Mark 13:11
    But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do...
    Luke 12:11
    Now when they bring you to the synagogues and m...
    Luke 12:12
    "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that ver...
    Luke 21:14
    Therefore settle it in your hearts not to medit...
    Luke 21:15
    For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which al...
  10. Cross References
    Jonah 1:3
    But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
  11. Cross References
    Numbers 11:1
    Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.
    Numbers 11:33
    But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was aroused against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague.
  12. Cross References
    Numbers 26:59
    The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt; and to Amram she bore Aaron and Moses and their sister Miriam.
  13. Cross References
    Exodus 4:27
    And the LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him.
    1 Samuel 10:2
    "When you have departed from me today, you will find two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, 'The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. And now your father has ceased caring about the donkeys and is worrying about you, saying, "What shall I do about my son?"'
    1 Samuel 10:3
    Then you shall go on forward from there and come to the terebinth tree of Tabor. There three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.
    1 Samuel 10:5
    After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying.
  14. Cross References
    Exodus 4:12
    "Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say."
    Exodus 4:30
    And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people.
    Exodus 7:1
    So the LORD said to Moses: "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.
    Exodus 7:2
    You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land.
  15. Cross References
    Numbers 23:5
    Then the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and...
    Numbers 23:12
    So he answered and said, "Must I not take heed ...
    Deuteronomy 18:18
    I will raise up for them a Prophet like you fro...
    2 Samuel 14:3
    Go to the king and speak to him in this manner....
    2 Samuel 14:19
    So the king said, " Is the hand of Joab with yo...
    Isaiah 51:16
    And I have put My words in your mouth; I have c...
    Isaiah 59:21
    "As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenan...
    Jeremiah 1:9
    Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my...
  16. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 5:31
    'But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will speak to you all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I am giving them to possess.'
  17. Cross References
    Exodus 7:1
    So the LORD said to Moses: "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.
    Exodus 7:2
    You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land.
  18. Cross References
    Exodus 2:21
    Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.
    Exodus 3:1
    Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
    Exodus 4:18
    So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, "Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace.
  19. Cross References
    Genesis 43:23
    But he said, "Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
    Judges 18:6
    And the priest said to them, "Go in peace. The presence of the LORD be with you on your way.
  20. Cross References
    Exodus 3:1
    Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
    Exodus 18:1
    And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people - that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.
  21. Cross References
    Genesis 46:3
    So He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.
    Genesis 46:6
    So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him.
  22. Cross References
    Exodus 2:15
    When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.
    Exodus 2:23
    Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.
    Matthew 2:20
    Saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead.
  23. Cross References
    Exodus 18:2 - 5
    Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back.
    Acts 7:29
    Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.
  24. Cross References
    Exodus 4:17
    "And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs."
    Exodus 17:9
    And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.
    Numbers 20:8
    "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals."
    Numbers 20:9
    So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him.
    Numbers 20:11
    Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.
  25. Cross References
    Exodus 3:20
    So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.
    Exodus 11:9
    But the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
    Exodus 11:10
    So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
  26. Cross References
    Exodus 7:3
    And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply...
    Exodus 7:13
    And Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not h...
    Exodus 9:12
    But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and...
    Exodus 9:35
    So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would...
    Exodus 10:1
    Now the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh; ...
    Exodus 10:20
    But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he d...
    Exodus 10:27
    But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he w...
    Exodus 14:4
    Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he ...
    Exodus 14:8
    And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king...
    Deuteronomy 2:30
    But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass...
    Joshua 11:20
    For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, ...
    1 Samuel 6:6
    Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egypt...
    Isaiah 63:17
    O LORD, why have You made us stray from Your wa...
    John 12:40
    "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their h...
    Romans 9:18
    Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and wh...
  27. Cross References
    Exodus 5:1
    Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.'
  28. Cross References
    Isaiah 63:16
    Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham wa...
    Isaiah 64:8
    But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the...
    Hosea 11:1
    When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out o...
    Romans 9:4
    Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoptio...
    2 Corinthians 6:16
    And what agreement has the temple of God with i...
    2 Corinthians 6:18
    "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My...
  29. Cross References
    Jeremiah 31:9
    They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.
    James 1:18
    Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
  30. Cross References
    Exodus 11:5
    And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.
    Exodus 12:29
    And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock.
    Psalms 105:36
    He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land, The first of all their strength.
    Psalms 135:8
    He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast.
    Psalms 136:10
    To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever.
  31. Cross References
    Genesis 42:27
    But as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack.
  32. Cross References
    Exodus 3:18
    "Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, 'The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.'
    Exodus 5:3
    So they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days' journey into the desert and sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.
    Numbers 22:22
    Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
  33. Cross References
    Genesis 17:14
    "And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."
  34. Cross References
    Exodus 2:21
    Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.
    Exodus 18:2
    Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back.
  35. Cross References
    Genesis 17:14
    "And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."
    Joshua 5:2
    At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.
    Joshua 5:3
    So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
  36. Cross References
    Exodus 4:14
    So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: "Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
  37. Cross References
    Exodus 3:1
    Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
    Exodus 18:5
    And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God.
    Exodus 24:13
    So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.
  38. Cross References
    Exodus 4:15
    Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.
    Exodus 4:16
    So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.
  39. Cross References
    Exodus 4:8
    Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign.
    Exodus 4:9
    "And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land."
  40. Cross References
    Exodus 3:16
    Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt.
    Exodus 12:21
    Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb.
  41. Cross References
    Exodus 4:15
    Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.
    Exodus 4:16
    So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.
  42. Cross References
    Exodus 3:18
    "Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, 'The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.'
    Exodus 4:8
    Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign.
    Exodus 4:9
    "And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land."
    Exodus 19:9
    And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever." So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
  43. Cross References
    Genesis 50:24
    And Joseph said to his brethren, "I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
    Exodus 3:16
    Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt.
  44. Cross References
    Exodus 2:25
    And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.
    Exodus 3:7
    And the LORD said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
  45. Cross References
    Genesis 24:26
    Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD.
    Exodus 12:27
    That you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.' " So the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
    1 Chronicles 29:20
    Then David said to all the assembly, "Now bless the LORD your God." So all the assembly blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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