Exodus

Exodus 4:2–9

²And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” he replied.

³“Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake,^a and he ran from it.

⁴“Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand. ⁵“This is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob — has appeared to you.”

⁶Furthermore, the LORD said to Moses, “Put your hand inside your cloak.^b” So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous,^c white as snow.

⁷“Put your hand back inside your cloak,” said the LORD.

So Moses put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his skin.

⁸And the LORD said, “If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second. ⁹But if they do not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. Then the water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.”

Footnotes

a 4:3 Hebrew nachash, in contrast to Aaron’s staff, which became a tanninin Exodus 7:10|EXO 7:10
b 4:6 Hebrew into your bosom; twice in this verse and twice in verse 7
c 4:6 The Hebrew word traditionally translated as leprous was used for various skin diseases; see Leviticus 13.

Read all of Exodus 4

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Exodus 4:2

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And the LORD	יְהוָ֖ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
asked	וַיֹּ֧אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
him	אֵלָ֛יו	’ê·lāw	Preposition; third person masculine singular	H413 motion to
What is that	מַזֶּה	maz·zɛh	Interrogative	H4100 what? how? aught
in your hand	בְיָדֶ֑ךָ	ḇə·yā·ḏe·ḵā	Preposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H3027 hand
A staff	מַטֶּֽה׃	maṭ·ṭeh	Noun - masculine singular	H4294 staff, rod, shaft
he replied	וַיֹּ֖אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say

Exodus 4:3

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Throw	הַשְׁלִיכֵ֣הוּ	haš·lî·ḵê·hū	Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular; third person masculine singular	H7993 throw, fling, cast
it on the ground	אַ֔רְצָה	’ar·ṣāh	Noun - feminine singular; third person feminine singular	H776 earth, land
said	וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
So	וַיַּשְׁלִיכֵ֥הוּ	way·yaš·lî·ḵê·hū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular; third person masculine singular	H7993 throw, fling, cast
it on the ground	אַ֖רְצָה	’ar·ṣāh	Noun - feminine singular; third person feminine singular	H776 earth, land
and it became	וַיְהִ֣י	way·hî	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
a snake	לְנָחָ֑שׁ	lə·nā·ḥāš	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular	H5175 serpent
and	מֹשֶׁ֖ה	mō·šeh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H4872 Moses
ran	וַיָּ֥נָס	way·yā·nās	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5127 flee, escape
from it	מִפָּנָֽיו׃	mip·pā·nāw	Preposition-m; Noun - common plural construct; third person masculine singular	H6440 face, before

Exodus 4:4

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Stretch out	שְׁלַח֙	šə·laḥ	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular	H7971 send
your hand	יָֽדְךָ֔	yā·ḏə·ḵā	Noun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H3027 hand
and grab it	וֶאֱחֹ֖ז	we·’ĕ·ḥōz	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular	H270 grasp, take hold, take possession
by the tail	בִּזְנָב֑וֹ	biz·nā·ḇōw	Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H2180 tail, also (figurative) end, stump
the LORD	יְהוָה֙	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
said	וַיֹּ֤אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
Moses	מֹשֶׁ֔ה	mō·šeh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H4872 Moses
reached out	וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח	way·yiš·laḥ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7971 send
his hand	יָדוֹ֙	yā·ḏōw	Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H3027 hand
and caught	וַיַּ֣חֲזֶק	way·ya·ḥă·zeq	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H2388 be or grow firm, strong, strengthen
and it turned back	וַיְהִ֥י	way·hî	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
into a staff	לְמַטֶּ֖ה	lə·maṭ·ṭeh	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular	H4294 staff, rod, shaft
in his hand	בְּכַפּֽוֹ׃	bə·ḵap·pōw	Preposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H3709 hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, pan

Exodus 4:5

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
This is so that	לְמַ֣עַן	lə·ma·‘an	Conjunction	H4616 purpose, intent
they may believe	יַאֲמִ֔ינוּ	ya·’ă·mî·nū	Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural	H539 confirm, support
that	כִּֽי־	kî-	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
the LORD	יְהוָ֖ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
the God	אֱלֹהֵ֣י	’ĕ·lō·hê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H430 God
of their fathers	אֲבֹתָ֑ם	’ă·ḇō·ṯām	Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine plural	H1 father
the God	אֱלֹהֵ֧י	’ĕ·lō·hê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H430 God
of Abraham	אַבְרָהָ֛ם	’aḇ·rā·hām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H85 Abraham
the God	אֱלֹהֵ֥י	’ĕ·lō·hê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H430 God
of Isaac	יִצְחָ֖ק	yiṣ·ḥāq	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3327 Isaac
and the God	וֵאלֹהֵ֥י	wê·lō·hê	Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine plural construct	H430 God
of Jacob	יַעֲקֹֽב׃	ya·‘ă·qōḇ	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3290 Jacob
has appeared	נִרְאָ֥ה	nir·’āh	Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H7200 see
to you	אֵלֶ֛יךָ	’ê·le·ḵā	Preposition; second person masculine singular	H413 motion to

Exodus 4:6

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Furthermore	ע֗וֹד	‘ō·wḏ	Adverb	H5750 a going round, continuance
the LORD	יְהוָ֨ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
said	וַיֹּאמֶר֩	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
to	ל֜וֹ	lōw	Preposition; third person masculine singular
Put	הָֽבֵא־	hā·ḇê-	Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular	H935 come in, come, go in, go
your hand	יָֽדְךָ֙	yā·ḏə·ḵā	Noun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H3027 hand
inside your cloak	בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָ	bə·ḥê·qe·ḵā	Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H2436 bosom
So he put	וַיָּבֵ֥א	way·yā·ḇê	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H935 come in, come, go in, go
his hand	יָד֖וֹ	yā·ḏōw	Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H3027 hand
inside his cloak	בְּחֵיק֑וֹ	bə·ḥê·qōw	Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H2436 bosom
and when he took it out	וַיּ֣וֹצִאָ֔הּ	way·yō·w·ṣi·’āh	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular; third person feminine singular	H3318 go or come out
his hand	יָד֖וֹ	yā·ḏōw	Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H3027 hand
leprous	מְצֹרַ֥עַת	mə·ṣō·ra·‘aṯ	Verb - Pual - Participle - feminine singular construct	H6879 be struck with leprosy, leprous
white as snow	כַּשָּֽׁלֶג׃	kaš·šā·leḡ	Preposition-k, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H7950 snow

Exodus 4:7

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Put your hand	יָֽדְךָ֙	yā·ḏə·ḵā	Noun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H3027 hand
back	הָשֵׁ֤ב	hā·šêḇ	Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular	H7725 turn back, return
inside	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
your cloak	חֵיקֶ֔ךָ	ḥê·qe·ḵā	Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H2436 bosom
said	וַיֹּ֗אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
So	יָד֖וֹ	yā·ḏōw	Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H3027 hand
back	וַיָּ֥שֶׁב	way·yā·šeḇ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7725 turn back, return
inside	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
his cloak	חֵיק֑וֹ	ḥê·qōw	Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H2436 bosom
and when he took it out	וַיּֽוֹצִאָהּ֙	way·yō·w·ṣi·’āh	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular; third person feminine singular	H3318 go or come out
it was restored	שָׁ֖בָה	šā·ḇāh	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular	H7725 turn back, return
like the rest of his skin	כִּבְשָׂרֽוֹ׃	kiḇ·śā·rōw	Preposition-k; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H1320 flesh

Exodus 4:8

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
If	אִם־	’im-	Conjunction	H518 if
they refuse	לֹ֣א	lō	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
to believe	יַאֲמִ֣ינוּ	ya·’ă·mî·nū	Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural	H539 confirm, support
you	לָ֔ךְ	lāḵ	Preposition; second person masculine singular
or	וְלֹ֣א	wə·lō	Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
heed	יִשְׁמְע֔וּ	yiš·mə·‘ū	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural	H8085 hear
the witness	לְקֹ֖ל	lə·qōl	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct	H6963 sound, voice
of the first	הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן	hā·ri·šō·wn	Article; Adjective - masculine singular	H7223 former, first, chief
sign	הָאֹ֣ת	hā·’ōṯ	Article; Noun - common singular	H226 sign
they may believe	וְהֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ	wə·he·’ĕ·mî·nū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural	H539 confirm, support
of the second	הָאַחֲרֽוֹן׃	hā·’a·ḥă·rō·wn	Article; Adjective - masculine singular	H314 coming after

Exodus 4:9

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But	וְהָיָ֡ה	wə·hā·yāh	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
if	אִם־	’im-	Conjunction	H518 if
they do not	לֹ֣א	lō	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
believe	יַאֲמִ֡ינוּ	ya·’ă·mî·nū	Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural	H539 confirm, support
even	גַּם֩	gam	Conjunction	H1571 also, moreover, yea
these	הָאֵ֗לֶּה	hā·’êl·leh	Article; Pronoun - common plural	H428 these
two	לִשְׁנֵ֨י	liš·nê	Preposition-l; Number - masculine dual construct	H8147 two
signs	הָאֹת֜וֹת	hā·’ō·ṯō·wṯ	Article; Noun - common plural	H226 sign
or listen	יִשְׁמְעוּן֙	yiš·mə·‘ūn	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural; Paragogic nun	H8085 hear
to your voice	לְקֹלֶ֔ךָ	lə·qō·le·ḵā	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H6963 sound, voice
take	וְלָקַחְתָּ֙	wə·lā·qaḥ·tā	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular	H3947 take
some water	מִמֵּימֵ֣י	mim·mê·mê	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine plural construct	H4325 water, juice, urine
from the Nile	הַיְאֹ֔ר	hay·’ōr	Article; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H2975 stream
and pour	וְשָׁפַכְתָּ֖	wə·šā·p̄aḵ·tā	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular	H8210 pour out, pour
it on the dry ground	הַיַּבָּשָׁ֑ה	hay·yab·bā·šāh	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H3004 dry land, dry ground
Then	וְהָי֤וּ	wə·hā·yū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
the water	הַמַּ֙יִם֙	ham·ma·yim	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H4325 water, juice, urine
you take	תִּקַּ֣ח	tiq·qaḥ	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular	H3947 take
from	מִן־	min-	Preposition	H4480 out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
the Nile	הַיְאֹ֔ר	hay·’ōr	Article; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H2975 stream
will become	וְהָי֥וּ	wə·hā·yū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
blood	לְדָ֖ם	lə·ḏām	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular	H1818 blood
on the ground	בַּיַּבָּֽשֶׁת׃	bay·yab·bā·šeṯ	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - feminine singular	H3006 id.