Exodus 4 22

Exodus 4:22 kjv

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

Exodus 4:22 nkjv

Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel is My son, My firstborn.

Exodus 4:22 niv

Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son,

Exodus 4:22 esv

Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son,

Exodus 4:22 nlt

Then you will tell him, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 22 Meaning

Exodus 4:22 declares a profound divine claim and status: "Thus says the LORD, ‘Israel is My son, My firstborn.’" This verse articulates God's unique covenantal relationship with the nation of Israel, identifying them as His specially chosen and pre-eminent "son" among all nations. It sets the foundational theological premise for God's impending actions against Pharaoh and Egypt, establishing Israel's divine ownership and right to freedom as a paternal demand.

Exodus 4 22 Context

This declaration is made by God to Moses at the burning bush, immediately after Moses expresses his fear and reluctance to confront Pharaoh. God's message, conveyed through Moses, serves as the ultimate divine credential and an inescapable ultimatum to the ruler of Egypt. It defines Israel's unique relationship with God as His chosen nation, laying the theological groundwork for the plagues, particularly the final one targeting the Egyptian firstborn. The verse prefaces God's demand for Israel's release ("Let My son go") and the direct consequence of Pharaoh's refusal, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of redemption and judgment.

Exodus 4 22 Word analysis

• Thus says the LORD (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, koh amar Adonai):

  • כֹּה (koh): "Thus," "so." Establishes the divine origin and authority of the following declaration. It’s a formula for prophetic pronouncements, signaling that the words are not human but direct from God.
  • אָמַר (amar): "Said," "declared." Signifies an authoritative divine utterance.
  • יְהוָה (Yahweh): The unutterable covenant name of God, revealing His personal and eternal presence. Emphasizes that this claim comes from the Sovereign God who acts in history.
  • Significance: This is a direct, authoritative command from the God of Israel to Pharaoh, conveyed by Moses, making disobedience a direct challenge to Yahweh Himself.

• Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael):

  • יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrael): "Struggles with God" or "He strives with God." This refers to the entire nation descended from Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), not just the patriarch.
  • Significance: Highlights God's covenant with the descendants of Jacob. It implies the whole nation, enslaved in Egypt, is the subject of God's redemptive purpose.

• is My son (בְּנִי, b'ni):

  • בְּנִי (b'ni): "My son." This term denotes a special, intimate, and covenantal relationship, not biological offspring in a human sense. It implies God's unique care, protection, and ownership.
  • Significance: Establishes a paternal relationship. Just as a human father cares for his son, so God views Israel. It signifies their unique position and God's benevolent authority over them. It contrasts sharply with Pharaoh's claimed divine lineage.

• My firstborn (בְּכֹרִי, b'khori):

  • בְּכֹרִי (b'khori): "My firstborn." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the firstborn held a position of privilege, inheritance rights, authority, and often represented the entire family or clan.
  • Significance: This elevates Israel's status above all other nations. They are God's chosen nation, bearing a unique standing among all humanity. It's a statement of preeminence, not that God only had one "son," but that Israel holds the primary place in His redemptive plan for humanity. The title also foreshadows the tenth plague against Egypt's firstborn. The polemic is direct: Pharaoh is demanding tribute from God's own "firstborn" (Israel's servitude), and God, the true sovereign, will reciprocate this challenge by claiming Pharaoh's firstborn.

Exodus 4 22 Bonus section

• The declaration "Israel is My son, My firstborn" is not merely an expression of affection but a formal legal claim, like a sovereign's assertion over his rightful heir. It underpins God's right to demand their release and highlights Pharaoh's transgression against the Divine household.
• This verse represents an early and crucial stage in the revelation of God's election of Israel. It portrays God as a Father actively intervening for His chosen family, setting them apart from all other nations.
• The concept of "firstborn" evolves throughout biblical theology: from corporate Israel as God's "firstborn" to the King (David) as God's "firstborn" (Ps 89:27), culminating in Jesus Christ, the unique Son of God, who is "the firstborn over all creation" (Col 1:15), the ultimate embodiment and fulfillment of this privileged status.
• The statement's stark clarity acts as a severe pre-plague warning, framing the conflict not just as one of human rulers, but as a direct challenge to the supremacy of Yahweh and His ownership of His people.

Exodus 4 22 Commentary

Exodus 4:22 serves as a pivotal theological declaration, revealing God's specific and unique relationship with the nation of Israel as His "son, My firstborn." This pronouncement establishes the moral and theological framework for the entire Exodus narrative. It underscores God's personal stake in Israel's liberation, transforming their bondage from a mere geopolitical struggle into a cosmic battle for God's divine child. The "firstborn" status signifies preeminence among nations, not biological parentage, emphasizing Israel's role as the vessel for God's covenant and ultimate salvation plan. This sacred designation means that any oppression against Israel is seen as a direct affront to God Himself. Furthermore, the term "firstborn" contains an implicit warning that culminates in the tenth plague: since Pharaoh refused to let God's "firstborn" go free, God would demand Pharaoh's "firstborn" as a consequence. This precise, divinely articulated status and the subsequent reciprocal judgment illuminate the severity of disobeying the Lord and His protective love for His chosen people.