Exodus 4:19 - Printer Friendly

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.”

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).

Exodus 4:18–26 includes a bizarre incident in the life of Moses. He plans to return to Egypt , to perform the signs given by God, and to challenge Egypt's Pharaoh to release Israel. On the way, Moses seems to fall deathly ill, at God's hand. Moses' wife circumcises one of their sons and transfers some meaning of the ceremony to Moses by touching his feet. This removes the danger, and Moses continues on towards Egypt.

While speaking with God in the form of a supernaturally burning bush, Moses expresses a lack of confidence. God gives Moses several miraculous signs so he can prove the source of his message. Moses is still unsure because of his poor speech. Though irritated, God appoints Moses' brother, Aaron, to be the spokesman while Moses relays the words of God. Moses returns to Egypt. Along the way, he nearly dies due to God's anger over some issue related to circumci-sion. After meeting his brother, Moses convinces the elders of Israel that his mission is genuine.

Moses, born an Israelite (Exodus 2:1) but raised by an Egyptian princess (Exodus 2:10) fled into exile after killing an abu-sive Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:14–15). Later, Moses meets God (Exodus 3:6) and receives the initial command to challenge Pharaoh for the freedom of the Israelites (Exodus 3:18–20). In this chapter, Moses makes excuses about his public speaking and nearly dies because of an uncircumcised son. Israel's elders believe Moses' story. But in the next chapter, Moses' early confrontation with Pharaoh goes poorly; the people are worked even hard-er (Exodus 5:5–9) and they begin to turn against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 4/17/2025 5:37:04 PM