Exodus 4 2

Exodus 4:2 kjv

And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

Exodus 4:2 nkjv

So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod."

Exodus 4:2 niv

Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.

Exodus 4:2 esv

The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff."

Exodus 4:2 nlt

Then the LORD asked him, "What is that in your hand?" "A shepherd's staff," Moses replied.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 2 Meaning

This verse captures the pivotal moment where God, in preparation for Moses' mission to Egypt, initiates a direct and profound exchange. The LORD's simple question, "What is that in thine hand?" prompts Moses to identify a common object he already possesses. Moses' straightforward reply, "A rod," signifies its ordinary nature and his present understanding of it as a mere shepherd's tool. This brief dialogue underscores a core biblical principle: God often begins His work of transformation and demonstration of power by asking what humble, available resources are already present, rather than requiring extraordinary means from the outset.

Exodus 4 2 Context

Exodus chapter 4 continues the account of Moses' divine calling at the burning bush (Exod 3). Following God's declaration of His plan to deliver Israel, Moses presents a series of objections and doubts, specifically regarding the people's belief in his commission. The preceding verse (Exod 4:1) captures Moses' fear that the Israelites would not believe or listen to him, but would instead claim that "the LORD hath not appeared unto thee." In response to this specific apprehension, God provides Moses with three potent signs, beginning with the transformation of his shepherd's staff. Historically, shepherds like Moses relied on a staff as an indispensable tool for guidance, protection, and counting sheep, a symbol of their daily livelihood. For the original Israelite audience, understanding Moses as a shepherd immediately familiarized them with the staff, which then became a tangible demonstration of Yahweh's power over the mundane, signaling His authority far surpassing any contemporary magical practices in Egypt. This seemingly simple object was about to be infused with divine power, turning a symbol of a shepherd's earthly authority into a divine instrument.

Exodus 4 2 Word analysis

• And the LORD said unto him:

  • And: Connects directly to the previous exchange, showing continuity of God's response to Moses' fears.
  • the LORD: Hebrew "Yahweh" (יְהוָה) - the covenant God, the self-existent one, emphasizing that the instruction comes from the sovereign and relational deity who initiated this call. This is not a casual inquiry but a directive from the ultimate authority.
  • said unto him: Indicates a direct, personal communication from God to Moses, focusing His attention on the immediate, tangible reality of Moses.

• What is that in thine hand?

  • What: Hebrew "Mah" (מַה) - An interrogative that can express simple inquiry but also suggests a gentle prompting, inviting Moses to consciously identify the object. It's not a question seeking information God doesn't know, but to focus Moses' attention on the familiar object.
  • is that: Points to something visible and immediate, making the divine inquiry very concrete and practical.
  • in thine hand? Hebrew "b'yad'cha" (בְּיָדְךָ). "Hand" (יָד - yad) signifies not just physical possession, but also capability, a means of action, and often power or influence. The question highlights that God uses what is already possessed or available to His servants, rather than demanding something entirely new or extraordinary from outside. This grounds the upcoming miracle in Moses' familiar reality.

• And he said, A rod.

  • And he said: Moses' direct and immediate response, devoid of embellishment, demonstrating simple obedience and honest observation.
  • A rod: Hebrew "matteh" (מַטֶּה) - This term primarily refers to a staff, stick, or branch. In a shepherd's context, it is a shepherd's staff (often distinct from a shepherd's club). It represents a simple, everyday tool. Its very ordinariness emphasizes the extraordinary transformation it is about to undergo, from a mundane object to a vessel of divine power, later referred to as "the staff of God." The commonality of the rod stands in stark contrast to the incredible miracles it will perform, highlighting that the power comes from God, not from the object itself.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "What is that in thine hand?": This foundational question from God redirects Moses' attention from his inability ("I am not eloquent") to God's immediate plan using Moses' existing resources. It is a pedagogical question designed to prepare Moses for the miraculous. God starts with the tangible and available, signaling that He will work through Moses' reality, transforming the ordinary into the instrument of His extraordinary will. It prompts Moses to acknowledge what he possesses before God empowers it.
• "A rod.": Moses' unadorned, simple answer reveals his perception of the object at that moment – a common tool. This humble identification sets the stage for God to elevate the rod's purpose, transitioning it from a mere shepherd's staff into the "rod of God," demonstrating that it is God's empowering presence, not the object's inherent nature, that imbues it with supernatural capacity.

Exodus 4 2 Bonus section

• The immediate, simple question and answer bypass Moses' previous objections about his speaking ability (Exod 4:1) and refocus his attention on action and divine power.
• This verse foreshadows the greater truth that God often chooses the common and unassuming (1 Cor 1:27-28) to demonstrate His unparalleled might, debunking human reliance on conventional strength or status.
• The "rod" is about to transition from being a symbol of a shepherd's livelihood to an extension of God's divine authority, used for signs, judgments, and delivering the people. It becomes a central motif throughout Moses' ministry, representing God's active presence.

Exodus 4 2 Commentary

Exodus 4:2 presents a profound lesson on divine initiation and empowerment. God, aware of Moses' anxieties about the Israelites' belief, directly addresses his concerns by directing his attention to the ordinary object he held. The question, "What is that in thine hand?" is not born of divine ignorance, but a purposeful pedagogical query. It forces Moses to articulate his present reality, setting the stage for a tangible display of God's power. Moses' simple answer, "A rod," underscores its mundane nature, yet this ordinary shepherd's tool is precisely what God chooses to transform into a formidable instrument of His will. This exchange powerfully demonstrates that God doesn't need extraordinary human assets or grand initial preparations; instead, He works through available, often common, means and objects. The power does not reside in the rod, but in the divine hand that commands its use. This principle offers timeless encouragement: God begins where we are, with what we have, and empowers the ordinary to achieve the supernatural, ultimately revealing that the power belongs solely to Him.