Exodus 7:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land.

NIV: You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country.

NASB: As for you, you shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land.

CSB: You must say whatever I command you; then Aaron your brother must declare it to Pharaoh so that he will let the Israelites go from his land.

NLT: Tell Aaron everything I command you, and Aaron must command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave his country.

KJV: Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.

NKJV: You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land.

When the Lord first commissioned Moses (Exodus 3:10), Moses doubted his ability to deliver the Lord's message (Exodus 4:10). God appointed Aaron, Moses' brother, to be the public speaker for this mission (Exodus 4:14–16). Their task is to demand that the Egyptian king, Pharaoh, release the enslaved people of Israel (Exodus 5:1–3). Pharaoh has rejected this command once already (Exodus 5:6–9). This is an expected part of God's plan (Exodus 3:19–20; 4:19–23).

Popular culture tends to depict Moses as a powerful speaker; this verse reminds us that Aaron, not Moses, spoke most messages presented in this story. Likewise, Moses is often portrayed as a middle-aged man. But this passage will indicate that the two brothers are in their eighties (Exodus 7:7). Still, they will obey (Exodus 7:6) according to God's commands.

Exodus 7:1–7 completes the encouragement and summary which began in chapter 6. God intends to free Israel (Exodus 1:11–14) through spectacular miracles. These will demonstrate His power. Moses and Aaron (Exodus 4:14–16) will obey, despite both men being more than eighty years old.

God again repeats (Exodus 3:19–20; 4:19–23; 6:6) the basic outline of how Israel will be freed from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:11–14). He then commands Moses and Aaron to show Pharaoh one of the miraculous signs given for that purpose (Exodus 4:2–5). Egyptian magicians seem to duplicate the feat, so Pharaoh still refuses to hear Mo-ses' message. This results in the first plague: all water in Egypt, including the Nile river, becomes blood. This lasts seven days. The Lord then tells Moses to repeat the demand for Israel's release.

God commissioned Moses (Exodus 3:10) and commanded him to confront Egypt's ruler, the pharaoh (Exodus 4:19–23). When Moses obeyed (Exodus 5:1–3), the immediate result was even worse oppression for Israel (Exodus 5:19–21). This inspired Moses to doubt (Exodus 5:22–23). The Lord responded with reassurances (Exodus 6:1–8). Chapter 7 completes this declaration and begins the cycle of plagues (Exodus 3:19–20), starting with turning the Nile river into blood. These catastrophes will continue (Exodus 8—11) until Pharaoh finally releases the Israelites (Exodus 12:41).

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 4/18/2025 7:08:22 PM