Exodus 4 14

Exodus 4:14 kjv

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

Exodus 4:14 nkjv

So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: "Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

Exodus 4:14 niv

Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you.

Exodus 4:14 esv

Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

Exodus 4:14 nlt

Then the LORD became angry with Moses. "All right," he said. "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 14 Meaning

Exodus 4:14 reveals a turning point in God's commissioning of Moses. After Moses presents multiple excuses for his inability to lead Israel out of Egypt, God's anger ignites against him. In this display of divine displeasure, God reassures Moses that his brother Aaron, a Levite, is a skilled orator and is already on his way to meet him. This signifies God's comprehensive knowledge, sovereign provision for human weakness, and unwavering commitment to His plan, even when faced with human reluctance or perceived inadequacy.

Exodus 4 14 Context

Exodus chapter 3 records YHWH's initial call to Moses from the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses, intimidated by the monumental task, begins to present a series of excuses (Exod 3:11, 3:13, 4:1, 4:10, 4:13). He argues about his personal inadequacy, his lack of authority, the people's potential disbelief, and particularly, his speech impediment ("slow of speech and of tongue" Exod 4:10). Despite YHWH providing reassurance, signs, and promises of divine assistance, Moses' final plea in verse 13 ("Oh, my Lord, please send someone else") demonstrates a complete lack of faith and willingness to obey, despite God's clear instruction. This prolonged defiance and unfaithfulness directly provokes the divine anger mentioned in verse 14. Historically, Moses was a shepherd in Midian, having fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian. He had spent 40 years away, a period meant to humble and prepare him, yet he still resisted the divine call. This context highlights the clash between human apprehension and divine determination.

Exodus 4 14 Word analysis

• וַיִּחַר (Vayyiḥar): Root is חָרָה (ḥārāh), "to be hot, to burn, to kindle." Here, it's used reflexively or impersonally, implying "it became hot for YHWH" or "the anger of YHWH burned." This is an anthropopathic expression, describing God's emotional response in human terms. It signifies a profound, righteous displeasure, not an uncontrolled passion, but a decisive reaction to deliberate disobedience.

• אַף־יְהוָה (ʼaf-YHWH): "The anger of YHWH." 'Af (אַף) literally means "nose" or "nostril," as in breath forcefully exhaled in anger. It's an idiom for strong indignation. YHWH (יהוה) is God's covenant name, underscoring that this is a personal, holy, and justified response from the sovereign covenant God to Moses' unbelief and defiance, despite His clear instructions and patient responses.

• בְּמֹשֶׁה (bəMōšeh): "Against Moses." The preposition 'bə' indicates direct opposition. God's anger is specifically targeted at Moses for his continued refusal.

• וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyōmer): "And He said." This consecutive imperfect signals the direct consequence of God's aroused anger: a spoken response, revealing both judgment (in the form of sternness) and grace (in the provision of Aaron).

• הֲלֹא (hălōʼ): "Is there not...?" A rhetorical interrogative particle, emphasizing that the answer is self-evident. God already knew Moses' supposed weakness and had already prepared the solution. It underscores God's omniscience.

• אַהֲרֹן (ʼAhărōn): "Aaron." Moses' elder brother. His name becomes significant for the future priesthood. God specifies the solution by name.

• אָחִיךָ (ʼaḥiḵā): "Your brother." Reinforces their familial bond, implying natural understanding and shared purpose, making Aaron an ideal helper.

• הַלֵּוִי (haLēwî): "The Levite." Identifies Aaron's tribal lineage, which would later be chosen for priestly service (though not explicitly stated or known to Moses at this moment), indicating God's foresight and long-term plans for both brothers in His redemptive program.

• יָדַעְתִּי (yādaʿtî): "I know." Perfect verb, stressing God's prior knowledge and absolute certainty. It reiterates His omniscience—He was aware of Aaron's abilities even before Moses raised his speech impediment as an excuse.

• כִּי־דַבֵּר (kî-dabbēr): "That speaking." The infinitive absolute "dabbēr" intensifies the verb "yəḏabbēr." This Hebrew grammatical construction emphasizes the certainty and fluency of Aaron's speech.

• יְדַבֵּר (yəḏabbēr): "He speaks (well/fluently)." From דָּבַר (dābar), "to speak." God confirms Aaron's rhetorical ability, directly countering Moses' argument about his own speech inadequacy.

• הוּא (hūʼ): "He." Pronoun emphasizing Aaron as the specific individual God has prepared for this task.

• וְגַם (wəḡam): "And also/moreover." Connects the previous statement about Aaron's ability to his imminent arrival.

• הִנֵּה־הוּא יֹצֵא (hinnēh-hūʼ yōṣēʼ): "Behold, he is coming out." The particle "hinnēh" (behold) draws attention to the immediacy and certainty of Aaron's action. "Yōṣēʼ" (coming out) is a present participle, indicating action already in progress or imminently so, showcasing God's active orchestration.

• לִקְרָאתֶךָ (liqraʼteḵā): "To meet you." Literally "towards your meeting." God's divine arrangement ensures Aaron is providentially moving towards Moses.

• וְרָאֲךָ (wəraʼaḵā): "And he will see you." God predicts the encounter.

• וְשָׂמַח (wəśāmaḥ): "And he will be glad." From שָׂמַח (sāmaḥ), "to rejoice." Aaron's reception of Moses will be positive and enthusiastic, unlike Moses' own reluctant attitude towards his divine commission.

• בְּלִבּוֹ (bəlibbō): "In his heart." Emphasizes the genuine, heartfelt joy and welcome Aaron will extend, a stark contrast to Moses' distress and hesitation.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "וַיִּחַר אַף־יְהוָה בְּמֹשֶׁה" ("And the anger of YHWH burned against Moses"): This phrase marks a pivotal moment, shifting from God's patient persuasion to righteous indignation. It's a testament to God's holiness and His expectation of faith and obedience, even from His chosen servants. Moses' repeated excuses crossed a line from legitimate fear to unfaithfulness and defiance, provoking a direct divine response.
  • "הֲלֹא אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ הַלֵּוִי יָדַעְתִּי כִּי־דַבֵּר יְדַבֵּר הוּא" ("Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently"): This complex clause reveals God's comprehensive, pre-existing knowledge and foresight. It refutes Moses' core excuse about his speech, exposing it as an expression of unbelief rather than an insurmountable obstacle. God does not need human ingenuity but provides perfectly for His plan.
  • "וְגַם הִנֵּה־הוּא יֹצֵא לִקְרָאתֶךָ וְרָאֲךָ וְשָׂמַח בְּלִבּוֹ" ("And behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart"): This part highlights God's sovereignty and precise orchestration. Not only does He provide a solution (Aaron), but He also actively ensures the practical details of their meeting and the disposition of the helper. Aaron's ready obedience and joyful welcome stand in stark contrast to Moses' reluctance, providing a tangible illustration of God's enabling grace.

Exodus 4 14 Bonus section

The burning of God's anger (חָרָה אַף YHWH) against Moses is a severe expression. While less frequently directed at His chosen servants than at rebellious nations, it underlines the gravity of unbelief and resistance to God's direct command. This instance also establishes Aaron's role in the divine narrative long before the Exodus fully unfolds or the Mosaic Law details the priesthood. It's not just a quick fix but part of God's grand, pre-ordained plan, showcasing His complete control over events and individuals. This episode further highlights God's anthropopathic nature – expressing divine emotion in human terms, allowing us to grasp the profundity of His displeasure and the steadfastness of His love and commitment despite it. God did not desire to strike Moses down, but to solidify the seriousness of His call and reinforce that He would indeed equip him. This moment serves as a significant character development for Moses, preparing him for the intense challenges ahead, where unreserved trust in YHWH would be paramount.

Exodus 4 14 Commentary

Exodus 4:14 is a profound moment in the call of Moses. God's anger is not a petty outburst, but a righteous and holy response to Moses' persistent unbelief and defiance after four divine encounters and numerous assurances. It reveals that God, while patient, does not tolerate outright rejection of His clear command and sufficient provision. This is a vital theological point: even His chosen vessels are accountable for their faith and obedience.

Crucially, God's anger is immediately followed by grace and a pragmatic solution. He doesn't revoke the call or replace Moses; instead, He provides Aaron, demonstrating His divine knowledge (He knew about Aaron all along), His limitless resources (He always has a solution for human limitations), and His sovereign commitment to His redemptive plan. Aaron is presented not just as a mouthpiece but as a willing and joyful helper, contrasting Moses' hesitant and burdensome attitude. This illustrates a key principle of God's work: when He calls, He also enables, often through the provision of others and the demonstration of His power being made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9). This dynamic showcases that while human excuses may provoke divine displeasure, God's purpose remains steadfast and His grace abounds in provision. It assures that God does not abandon His purposes simply because of human doubt; instead, He provides what is needed to overcome obstacles, ensuring His will is done.

Practical examples:

• A new believer, feeling inadequate for service, learns that God uses and provides for weaknesses (e.g., God empowering a timid person to share their faith).
• A leader feeling overwhelmed realizes that seeking wise counsel or delegating tasks is part of God's provision for successful ministry.