Exodus 4 24

Exodus 4:24 kjv

And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.

Exodus 4:24 nkjv

And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him.

Exodus 4:24 niv

At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.

Exodus 4:24 esv

At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death.

Exodus 4:24 nlt

On the way to Egypt, at a place where Moses and his family had stopped for the night, the LORD confronted him and was about to kill him.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 24 Meaning

At a temporary stopping place on the journey, the Lord Himself confronted Moses in a terrifying and life-threatening manner, seeking to strike him down and put him to death. This sudden divine assault was due to Moses's failure to circumcise his son, a critical breach of the covenant God made with Abraham, and a necessary act of obedience for any male in Israel to be part of God's covenant people. Zipporah's immediate action of circumcising their son averted the divine judgment.

Exodus 4 24 Context

Exodus 4 details Moses's divine commission to lead Israel out of Egypt. After repeated objections and God's provision of miraculous signs and Aaron as his spokesman, Moses finally sets out from Midian back to Egypt with his family. Just before he reaches Egypt, this critical incident occurs. It immediately follows God's solemn declaration that Israel is His "firstborn son" and His threat to Pharaoh: "If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son" (Exod 4:22-23). The confrontation in verse 24 thus strikingly precedes and echoes God's pronouncement against Pharaoh, underscoring that God's holiness and covenant demands apply even to His chosen leaders. Moses, destined to deliver God's people from bondage and death, faces his own judgment and potential death due to his failure to obey a fundamental covenant command for his own household. Historically and culturally, circumcision was the identifying mark of the Abrahamic covenant, a deeply significant and non-negotiable rite for an Israelite male. Neglecting it was a direct affront to God's covenant and rendered an individual outside the community. While some Midianites (Zipporah's people) practiced circumcision, its precise theological significance may not have been understood with the same covenant stringency as by the Israelites, possibly contributing to the delay, though ultimately, the responsibility fell to Moses as the head of the household.

Exodus 4 24 Word analysis

• "At a lodging place" (בַּמָּלוֹן - ba'malon): Refers to a temporary overnight stop, possibly an inn or a private residence along a caravan route. This setting highlights the private, sudden, and unexpected nature of the divine confrontation, occurring outside the grand stage of Pharaoh's court.
• "on the way" (בַּדֶּרֶךְ - ba'derekh): Implies that this confrontation happens while Moses is actively proceeding on God's mission, emphasizing God's immediate judgment even mid-obedience for underlying unaddressed issues.
• "the LORD" (יהוה - Yahweh): The covenant name of God. This indicates that the confrontation is not a random misfortune or a natural illness, but a direct, deliberate act of the covenant-keeping, yet holy and just, God Himself. It emphasizes His supreme authority and uncompromising standards for His chosen people, especially His appointed leader.
• "met him" (וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁהוּ - vaiyifgehshehu): The Hebrew verb pagash can mean to meet casually, but it often carries the connotation of a hostile or confrontational encounter, a sudden ambush, or even an attack (e.g., Num 22:22 where the angel of the Lord meets Balaam to oppose him, or 1 Sam 10:10, a band of prophets met Saul). Here, it conveys an aggressive, terrifying interception.
• "sought to put him to death" (וַיְבַקְשֵׁהוּ הֲמִיתוֹ - vaiyevaqshehu hamito): The verb baqash means "to seek," "to look for," or "to demand." In this context, with "to kill him" (hamito), it denotes a forceful and active intention to execute lethal judgment. It signifies God's absolute commitment to enforcing His covenant, even upon His most vital instrument. This wasn't merely a threat but an active, physical manifestation of divine wrath causing Moses to be near death.

Words-group analysis:

• "At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met him": This phrase establishes the immediate setting of a vulnerable, private moment for Moses, away from the grandeur of God's manifest presence at the bush. Yet, God is just as present and demanding, signifying that divine accountability is not limited to specific, formal sacred spaces but applies everywhere and at all times, especially on His commissioned servants.
• "the LORD met him and sought to put him to death": This potent declaration highlights God's zero tolerance for neglect of His fundamental commands. Moses, on the brink of confronting the mightiest ruler on Earth, found himself on the receiving end of an equally terrifying divine judgment, underscoring that God’s justice begins in His own house and among His chosen. It reveals God's uncompromising holiness before any action against His enemies.

Exodus 4 24 Bonus section

• The Identity of the Attacker: The text states "the LORD met him." This isn't an angel or a general calamity but a direct, terrifying manifestation of God's divine wrath, often interpreted as the Angel of the Lord or pre-incarnate Christ, acting as God's executor of judgment.
• Purpose of the Divine Assault: It served as a stark, immediate purification and a profound lesson for Moses. He was called to be God's instrument for judgment upon Egypt's firstborn (Exod 4:23), yet his own household was out of compliance with the most basic covenant sign. God needed Moses to fully grasp the absolute necessity of covenant obedience and the severity of His judgment, lest he misunderstand God's holiness or take His commission lightly.
• Zipporah's Role: Her prompt and intuitive action, severing the foreskin and touching Moses's feet (a culturally significant act possibly signifying a symbolic dedication or propitiation, and often linked to covenant obedience or prayer, as the 'feet' can represent the 'private parts'), signifies her quick grasp of the divine imperative and effectively completes the ritual, averting further judgment. This act reveals her spiritual sensitivity and decisive character, making her an instrumental figure in this crucial moment.

Exodus 4 24 Commentary

Exodus 4:24 is a pivotal and challenging verse, revealing the severity of God's covenant demands. At the very moment Moses is about to represent God before Pharaoh and demand Israel's release—with the implied threat of the firstborn plague—God Himself seeks to kill Moses for neglecting his own son's circumcision. This incident highlights that God's justice is impartial: He does not overlook covenant disobedience in His chosen leader any more than He will in Pharaoh. The delay in circumcising his son (likely Gershom, as mentioned later) was a direct violation of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 17), which mandated this sign of belonging to God's people. Moses's near-death experience served as a shocking, non-verbal object lesson, forcibly reminding him and future generations that obedience to God's law begins at home, in the most foundational aspects of faith. It affirmed God's unyielding holiness and the absolute necessity of maintaining covenant faithfulness for those who represent Him. Zipporah's decisive, immediate action (v. 25) saved Moses's life, demonstrating her quick understanding of the spiritual urgency and the gravity of their omission, enabling Moses to continue his mission purified by obedience.