Exodus 4 1

Exodus 4:1 kjv

And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

Exodus 4:1 nkjv

Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' "

Exodus 4:1 niv

Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"

Exodus 4:1 esv

Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The LORD did not appear to you.'"

Exodus 4:1 nlt

But Moses protested again, "What if they won't believe me or listen to me? What if they say, 'The LORD never appeared to you'?"

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 1 Meaning

Moses expresses a profound doubt to the LORD regarding the willingness of the Israelites to accept his divine commission. He anticipates that the people will not only refuse to believe his claim that the LORD has appeared to him, but also will refuse to heed his message, effectively questioning the very foundation of his prophetic authority.

Exodus 4 1 Context

Exodus 4:1 marks Moses' third major objection in response to God's command for him to lead Israel out of Egypt. Chapter 3 detailed God's initial call at the burning bush, the revelation of His holy name, YHWH (the LORD), and His assurance to Moses that the elders of Israel would listen to him (Exo 3:18). Despite these strong affirmations, Moses' fear here shifts from his personal inadequacy and lack of knowledge to a projected fear of the people's incredulity. He anticipates their skepticism concerning his claim of a direct encounter with God, thus jeopardizing the very mission before it even begins. This objection provides the divine response in Exo 4:2-9, where God grants Moses three powerful signs designed specifically to validate his authority to the doubting Israelites. Historically, the Israelites, having endured centuries of slavery, were likely to be wary of any claims of divine deliverance, requiring tangible proof or a clear demonstration of divine power. This need for authentication was a critical aspect of prophetic claims in the ancient Near East.

Exodus 4 1 Word analysis

• Then Moses answered: This indicates Moses' continued engagement in a direct conversation with God, challenging the divine directive despite God's previous reassurances. It highlights human fear persisting even after clear divine instruction.

• "But behold": Hebrew: ve-hen (וְהֵן). The conjunction "but" (וְ) connects this objection to the previous divine statements, while "behold" (הֵן) introduces a significant and urgent point. It conveys a strong counter-argument, as if Moses is saying, "Wait, consider this critical issue." It emphasizes the intensity of Moses' concern.

• "they will not believe me": Hebrew: lo ya'aminu li (לֹא יַאֲמִינוּ לִי). The verb aman (אָמַן) in the Hiphil stem means "to cause to be firm, trustworthy; to believe." Moses fears the Israelites will not place their trust or faith in his person as God's representative. This isn't just a lack of intellectual assent, but a deep-seated refusal to commit their faith.

• "or listen to my voice": Hebrew: ve-lo yishme'u be-qoli (וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ בְּקֹלִי). The verb shama (שָׁמַע), meaning "to hear," in this context implies not just physical hearing, but also "to obey" or "to heed." Moses foresees a complete rejection: not only will they not trust his claims, but they will actively refuse to obey the message delivered through him. This links faith directly to obedience.

• "for they will say": Hebrew: ki yom'ru (כִּי יֹאמְרוּ). This preposition introduces the reason or justification Moses anticipates for their unbelief, showcasing his foreknowledge of their probable skepticism.

• "The LORD": Hebrew: YHWH (יְהוָה). The covenant name of God, just revealed to Moses in Exo 3:15. This specific name underscores the identity of the God who is sending Moses, adding weight to Moses' mission, yet he fears they will dismiss even this revelation.

• "has not appeared to you": Hebrew: lo nir'ah eleykha YHWH (לֹא נִרְאָה אֵלֶיךָ יְהוָה). The verb ra'ah (רָאָה) in the Niphil (passive) stem means "to be seen," implying a self-revelation, a theophany. This phrase is central because direct divine appearance was the ultimate validation for a prophet's claim. Moses understands that without proof of such an encounter, his words will be perceived as mere human assertions, lacking divine authority.

• "they will not believe me or listen to my voice": This phrase functions as a hendiadys, meaning two words expressing one idea. The idea is a complete rejection of Moses' divine commission, combining distrust in his person with defiance towards his message. Their skepticism would translate into active refusal to follow. This reveals Moses' realistic appraisal of a people accustomed to oppression and potentially cynical about any new promises of deliverance without undeniable proof.

• "for they will say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you'": This clause encapsulates the fundamental challenge to Moses' legitimacy. Moses anticipates that the core of their disbelief will hinge on the perceived absence of concrete, visible, or demonstrable divine validation of his call. This is not about their doubting God's existence, but doubting God's action specifically for Moses, thereby discrediting his mission.

Exodus 4 1 Bonus section

• Moses' ongoing objections throughout Exodus 3-4 reveal that even those specifically called by God with direct revelations can wrestle with fear, self-doubt, and concern over how they will be perceived by others. This human aspect makes Moses highly relatable.
• God's response to Moses' fear (providing signs) demonstrates divine pedagogy. God not only assures but also equips, teaching Moses and providing proof not just for the Israelites, but also to build Moses' own confidence in God's power working through him.
• This verse indirectly sets up the profound theme of the power of divine signs and wonders in the narrative of Exodus, as they serve not only to convince Israel but also to demonstrate God's supremacy over the gods of Egypt to Pharaoh.

Exodus 4 1 Commentary

Exodus 4:1 exposes a deeper layer of Moses' struggle with the divine call, shifting from personal inadequacy to the formidable hurdle of human disbelief. Despite his awe-inspiring encounter at the burning bush, Moses vividly projects the potential for his own people, burdened by centuries of slavery and likely prone to cynicism, to dismiss his message as lacking genuine divine backing. His specific concern—"The LORD has not appeared to you"—reveals his intuitive grasp of what would be required to establish his prophetic authority in the eyes of the Israelites: an undeniable sign of direct divine encounter. God, in His infinite wisdom and patience, does not rebuke Moses' fear. Instead, He meets this specific anxiety head-on, immediately providing Moses with the very tools he will need to authenticate his mission—the miraculous signs of the staff turning into a serpent, the leprous hand, and the water turning to blood. This verse underscores God's deep understanding of human apprehension, His willingness to accommodate practical concerns, and His abundant provision to equip His chosen instruments for their daunting tasks, thereby solidifying the message of faith and obedience.