Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:5
That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
Verse 5. That they may believe] This is an example of what is called an imperfect or unfinished speech, several of which occur in the sacred writings. It may be thus supplied: Do this before them, that they may believe that the Lord – hath appeared unto thee.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
An imperfect sentence, to be thus completed,
This thou shalt do before them, that they may believe. See the like in 2Sa 5:8, compared with 1Ch 11:6; and Mar 14:49, compared with Mat 26:56.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
That they may believe,…. The elders and people of Israel; for this miracle was wrought not for the confirmation of Moses’s faith; for, as Aben Ezra observes, the sign of the burning bush was given to him to confirm his faith, that it was God that appeared to him, and called him to this work; but this was wrought to confirm the faith of the Israelites in his divine mission:
that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee;
[See comments on Ex 3:6].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
5. That they may believe. This spectacle, then, was not shewn to Moses once only, but the power was imparted to him also of frequently repeating the miracle; both to acquire credit from the Israelites, and to repress the audacity of Pharaoh. For although the sentence is incomplete, there is no ambiguity in the sense, viz., that Moses is armed with power from heaven to make his vocation sure, and that none may doubt him to be a Prophet divinely commissioned. It would be tedious here to dilate expressly on the use of miracles, suffice it briefly to lay down, that they sometimes serve as preparatives to faith, sometimes for its confirmation. We see an example of both in the metamorphosis of the rod, by which Moses was the more animated and encouraged to gather strength, although he already believed God’s promise; but the Israelites, who were both incredulous and unteachable, were prepared and compelled to believe. Besides, the miracle opened a door of faith with the Israelites, that, being persuaded of his prophetical office, they might submit to be taught; whilst he was himself led on to greater assurance and perseverance. For although the Almighty begins further back, and refers to the adoption of the patriarchs, and this was calculated to lay the foundation of their hope of redemption, it still does not follow that they were prepared to receive Moses, until the authority of his ministry had been established. Wherefore, I have said, that their faith was commenced by the miracle.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) That they may believe . . . These are Gods words to Moses, in continuation of those which form the first portion of the preceding verse. The clause describing the action of Moses in Exo. 4:4 is parenthetic. The words give Diviue sanction to the view, so strangely combatted of late, that the power of working miracles is given to men, primarily and mainly, for its evidential value to accredit them as Gods messengers. Without the gift of miracles neither would Moses have persuaded the Israelites, nor would the Apostles have converted the world.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 91:13 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 4:5 That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
Ver. 5. That they may believe. ] Miracles are sufficient testimonies of an extraordinary calling from God, provided that they be true miracles (not such as Deu 13:1-3 ), to confirm a calling that is agreeable to God’s holy word, as here.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
That they: Exo 4:1, Exo 3:18, Exo 4:31, Exo 19:9, 2Ch 20:20, Isa 7:9, Joh 5:36, Joh 11:15, Joh 11:42, Joh 20:27, Joh 20:31
the Lord: Exo 3:15, Gen 12:7, Gen 17:1, Gen 18:1, Gen 26:2, Gen 48:3, Jer 31:3, Act 7:2
Reciprocal: Exo 3:6 – I am Exo 16:12 – ye shall know 1Ch 29:18 – Lord God Isa 42:8 – that is Act 7:32 – I am
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 4:5-6. That they may believe The sentence is imperfect, but the meaning is, This thou shalt do before them that they may believe. His hand was leprous as snow For whiteness. This signified, that Moses, by the power of God, should bring sore diseases upon Egypt, that at his prayer they should be removed. And that whereas the Israelites in Egypt were become leprous, polluted by sin, and almost consumed by oppression, by being taken into the bosom of Moses they should be cleansed and cured.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
4:5 {b} That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
(b) This power to work miracles was to confirm his doctrine, and to assure him of his vocation.