Exodus 4:23

ESV and I say to you, "Let my son go that he may serve me." If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’"

NIV and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’ "

NASB So I said to you, ‘Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I am going to kill your son, your firstborn.'?’?'

CSB I told you: Let my son go so that he may worship me, but you refused to let him go. Look, I am about to kill your firstborn son!"

NLT I commanded you, 'Let my son go, so he can worship me.' But since you have refused, I will now kill your firstborn son!’'

KJV And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

NKJV So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.” ’ ”

What does Exodus 4:23 mean?

God will command Egypt's ruler, through the words of Moses (Exodus 3:10), to release the nation of Israel from their enslavement (Exodus 1:13–14, 22). The Lord will explain the importance of Israel by comparing them to a first-born son. For much of human history, the oldest son has been a family's primary heir; they frequently receive the largest inheritance and the most resources. They are also expected to carry on the family name and legacy. When Pharaoh refuses to release Israel, it will be like holding a man's son hostage (Exodus 4:22).

When Moses confronts Pharaoh it will begin a series of escalating plagues (Exodus 3:20). The climax of these disasters will be the death of Egypt's firstborn sons (Exodus 12:29–30). After all that Egypt experiences, this will be enough to convince Egypt's king to release the Hebrews (Exodus 12:31–32). Even that will only last so long (Exodus 14:8).

The prediction is also given here, it seems, to give context to a strange incident involving Moses, circumcision, and his son (Exodus 4:24–26). Moses escapes death when his wife Zipporah circumcises one of the two sons—either Gershom (Exodus 2:22) or Eliezer (Exodus 18:4). This act reconnects the family of Moses with the covenant of Abraham through circumcision, an important covenant practice (Genesis 17:9–10), prior to reuniting Moses with his own family (Exodus 4:27–28).

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