Exodus 4:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Again, the Lord said to him, "Put your hand inside your cloak." And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow.

NIV: Then the Lord said, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous —it had become as white as snow.

NASB: The Lord furthermore said to him, 'Now put your hand inside the fold of your robe.' So he put his hand inside the fold, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow.

CSB: In addition the Lord said to him, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was diseased, resembling snow.

NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Now put your hand inside your cloak.' So Moses put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out again, his hand was white as snow with a severe skin disease.

KJV: And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.

NKJV: 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, like snow.

God responds to Moses' concern about evidence (Exodus 4:1) by providing miraculous signs. These begin with the ability to throw a staff on the ground, where it will become a snake. When Moses picks it up, the snake turns back into a staff (Exodus 4:2–5). Here, the Lord provides a second sign.

The Hebrew term used here is from the root word tsara', which can refer to a wide variety of skin diseases. In modern terms, the condition also called "leprosy" is Hansen's disease. This doesn't generally create white patches. However, fungal infections, rashes, and eczema can create a whitish appearance. The ancient world considered those afflicted with incurable skin disorders as cursed. They were cast out of society for medical and spiritual reasons. After the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:41), God will provide medical laws regarding those conditions (Leviticus 13).

In this context, the point of this sign is proving God's control over life and health. The Lord can inflict and restore as He sees fit. Some might dismiss the staff becoming a serpent as a trick. But causing a living body part to instantly vary between horrific disease and health (Exodus 4:7) would be harder to ignore (Exodus 4:8). Unfortunately for Egypt, God's primary demonstration of this divine power over life would be the plague which killed the nation's firstborn (Exodus 12:29–30).

Exodus 4:1–9 continues the conversation between Moses and God. Moses doubts that anyone will believe his story. So, the Lord gives him signs such as transforming Moses' staff into a snake, afflicting and healing leprosy on his own hand, and turning water poured on the ground into blood. These prove God's power over animal life, human life, and nature itself.

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.