Exodus 4:23 - Printer Friendly

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.” ’ ”

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).

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.