Exodus 6:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Moses said to the Lord, "Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?"

NIV: But Moses said to the Lord, "If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips ?"

NASB: But Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, 'Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, as I am unskilled in speech?'

CSB: But Moses said in the Lord’s presence: "If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker?"

NLT: But Lord!' Moses objected. 'My own people won’t listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker! '

KJV: And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

NKJV: And Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, “The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”

When God first called Moses (Exodus 3:4–6), the command was to go and bring Israel out of slavery in Egypt (Exo-dus 3:7–10). Moses resisted at first claiming he was unworthy of the task (Exodus 3:11). Then he claimed to be a poor communicator (Exodus 4:10). Eventually, Moses simply begged God to send someone else (Exodus 4:13). Once he followed through on the Lord's command, the result was a disaster for Israel (Exodus 5:15–21). When God brought a message of reassurance (Exodus 6:2–8), the people ignored it (Exodus 6:9). While they had been enthusi-astic (Exodus 4:31), now they were bitter and resigned.

If the people Moses came to save don't want to hear him, why would the absolute ruler of all Egypt be more receptive?

Moses uses an interesting phrase here. This can carry one—or all—of several possible meanings. The phrase Moses applies to describe himself is aral' sepātāyim, literally meaning "uncircumcised lips." It suggests something lacking God's approval—explaining why the Israelites are rejecting what Moses says. It implies a lack of read-iness or spiritual ability (Jeremiah 9:26). It also evokes the idea that there's something "in the way" of Moses' words that should not be there, another claim that he is not the right choice to speak these words. In short, Moses is protesting that he's unqualified as a speaker (Exodus 4:14–16), or unworthy, or both. This comment will be mentioned again at the end of this chapter's genealogy (Exodus 6:30).

Exodus 6:1–13 is God's reassuring response to Moses' disappointment (Exodus 5:22–23). Phar-aoh retaliated against Israel rather than agreeing to their freedom (Exodus 5:6–9). Here, the Lord repeats that this is an expected part of the plan (Exodus 3:19–20). He re-identifies Himself and reminds Moses of His relationship with Israel's ancestors. Israel will be freed, and Egypt will be punished. God commands Moses to confront Pharaoh again, even though the Hebrew people are against it.

God responds to Moses, who struggles to understand recent events (Exodus 5:22–23). Pharaoh has retaliated against the Lord's message about Israel's freedom (Exodus 5:1–9). Here, the Lord repeats His predic-tion that Israel will be freed (Exodus 3:14–22). God's specific identity and relationship to Israel are key to this response. The Lord will fulfill His promises and take the Hebrews from Egypt into the Promised Land. The passage then rec-ords the genealogies of Moses and Aaron. Moses' commission from God is also repeated.

After centuries of enslavement (Exodus 1:11–14), God commissions Moses to be His representative in freeing Israel (Exodus 3:4–10). But when Moses delivers the Lord's message (Exodus 5:1–3), Pharaoh retaliates (Exodus 5:6–9). This leads to infighting (Exodus 5:20–21) and causes Moses to doubt (Exodus 5:22–23). After the Lord offers reassurances in this chapter, He will repeat an account of how the story will play out. Then God begins to bring plagues of judgment against Egypt (Exodus 7).

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.