Exodus 4:19

ESV And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead."

NIV Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead."

NASB Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, 'Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.'

CSB Now in Midian the Lord told Moses, "Return to Egypt, for all the men who wanted to kill you are dead."

NLT Before Moses left Midian, the Lord said to him, 'Return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you have died.'

KJV And the Lord said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.

NKJV Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.”

What does Exodus 4:19 mean?

Not every communication from God to Moses was as dramatic as the burning bush (Exodus 3:4–6) or the mountain of Sinai (Exodus 19:16–20). The Bible doesn't explain exactly how the Lord gave this information to Moses. It may have been in an audible voice, a mental communication, or something else. In any case, Moses won't be in immediate danger when he returns to Egypt.

Moses went into exile after killing an abusive Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:11–15). Other Scriptures explain that Moses left Egypt when he was about forty years old (Acts 7:23), and didn't return until he was eighty (Exodus 7:7). Apparently, anyone who knew enough—or cared enough—about the incident was dead. This might have reassured Moses or made him feel more comfortable in bringing along his family (Exodus 4:20).

Expand

What is the Gospel?

Download the app: