Bible Commentary

Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast [it] at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband [art] thou to me. 25. a flint ] in accordance with the oldest custom (cf. Jos 5:2-3; Jos 24:30 LXX.); because the practice of circumcision originate among peoples, or … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:25”

And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 24. sought to kill him ] ‘A primitive anthropomorphic way of saying that Moses fell dangerously ill’ (McNeile). The reason is commonly supposed to have been his neglect to circumcise his child (Genesis 17) … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:24”

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. 23. that he may serve me ] i.e. hold a religious service (‘serve,’ as in Exo 3:12 and frequently), viz. in the wilderness: cf. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:23”

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn: 22. Thus saith Jehovah ] so Exo 7:17; Exo 8:1; Exo 8:20; Exo 11:4 (all J); with the God of the Hebrews added, Exo 9:1; Exo 9:13, Exo 10:3 (also all J); and with the God of Israel … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:22”

And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. 21a. He is to do the portents which God has put in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:21”

And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. 20a (J). his wife, &c.] according to E Moses went alone into Egypt, and was only joined by his wife and sons afterwards … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:20”

And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life. 19. That Moses should now be commanded by God to do what he has already both determined to do, and obtained Jethro’s permission to do, is remarkable; and, as Dillm. remarks, can only … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:19”

And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which [are] in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. 18. He first asks permission to leave his father-in-law (in whose service … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:18”

And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. 17 21. Here vv. 17 18, 20b 21 are assigned to E on account of their imperfect connexion with the context: Exo 4:17 speaks of ‘the signs ’ to be done with the rod, whereas only one sign to be performed … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:17”

And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. 16. And he (emph.) shall be thy spokesman ] Heb. shall speak for thee. as God ] or as a god, inspiring him, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 4:16”