Exodus 4:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the Lord said to Moses, "Put out your hand and catch it by the tail" — so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand —

NIV: Then the Lord said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand.

NASB: But the Lord said to Moses, 'Reach out with your hand and grasp it by its tail'—so he reached out with his hand and caught it, and it turned into a staff in his hand—

CSB: The Lord told Moses, "Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail." So he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand.

NLT: Then the Lord told him, 'Reach out and grab its tail.' So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand.

KJV: And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:

NKJV: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand),

Moses is concerned that no one will believe his story about speaking to the Lord (Exodus 4:1). God told Moses to throw a staff-like walking stick on the ground, which immediately turned into a snake of some kind (Exodus 4:2–3). This was almost certainly a large cobra or other dangerous species. Moses retreats from it.

And yet, the Lord tells Moses to fight natural instinct: to grab the snake by the tail. Despite what some might think, this is actually the safest place to secure a hold on large venomous snakes—assuming the snake isn't coiled and protecting its tail. The concept is still dangerous, so Moses' obedience came with risks. Once the tail is held, the serpent turns back into a staff.

This will serve as a sign that God (Exodus 3:10) truly sends Moses. It will convince the elders of Israel (Exodus 4:30–31). Pharaoh will be harder to persuade; cobras were part of Egyptian religious and political imagery. Court magicians will seem to duplicate the miracle (Exodus 7:11). However, the snake-staff empowered by God will eat those lesser snakes (Exodus 7:10–13).

Despite this, and other signs, Pharaoh and his henchmen will refuse to believe that these are miracles from God (Exodus 7:13). God will give Moses other signs to reinforce his message (Exodus 4:7–9).

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.