Exodus 4 3

Exodus 4:3 kjv

And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

Exodus 4:3 nkjv

And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

Exodus 4:3 niv

The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.

Exodus 4:3 esv

And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it.

Exodus 4:3 nlt

"Throw it down on the ground," the LORD told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 3 Meaning

Exodus 4:3 vividly describes the first of three signs God grants Moses to authenticate his divine commission to Pharaoh and the Israelites. At God's command, Moses casts his ordinary shepherd's staff onto the ground, where it miraculously transforms into a living serpent. Moses' subsequent flight signifies his immediate and natural human reaction of fear and awe in the face of such a direct and powerful manifestation of God's supernatural capability. This sign demonstrated God's mastery over creation and His ability to intervene directly in the physical world, validating Moses as His chosen messenger.

Exodus 4 3 Context

Exodus chapter 4 continues God's profound call and commissioning of Moses, which began in chapter 3 at the burning bush. Moses expresses numerous hesitations and doubts regarding his fitness and ability to lead Israel out of Egypt, particularly concern that the Israelites would not believe him or God had appeared to him. In response to Moses' plea, God provides three confirmatory signs, with the transformation of the rod into a serpent being the first. This verse immediately follows God's inquiry about the object in Moses' hand (his staff), setting the stage for a miraculous demonstration of divine power intended to convince Moses, and through him, the Israelites and Pharaoh, of God's mighty presence and purpose. Historically, serpents were prominent symbols of divine power and protection in ancient Egypt (e.g., the Uraeus cobra on Pharaoh's crown), making God's power over a serpent a direct assertion of supremacy over Egyptian deities and authority.

Exodus 4 3 Word analysis

• And he said: This refers to the Lord God (Yahweh), who is directly engaging with Moses from the burning bush. It emphasizes divine instruction.
• Throw it on the ground: שָׁלֵ֤ךְ (shāleḵ), 'to cast' or 'to throw down'. This is an imperative, a direct command, requiring immediate action and obedience from Moses. הָאָ֑רְצָה (hā’ār·ṣāh), 'on the ground' or 'to the land'. The suffix -ah denotes motion to, emphasizing the action of casting onto the surface of the earth.
• So he threw it on the ground,: Moses' immediate compliance demonstrates his willingness to obey, even though he does not yet know the outcome. This contrasts with his prior hesitations, showing the beginning of his yieldedness.
• and it became: וַיְהִ֤י (wayhî), 'and it was' or 'and it became'. This phrase often introduces a significant event or transformation in Hebrew narrative. It highlights the instantaneous nature of the miracle.
• a serpent: לְנָחָ֑שׁ (l’nā·ḥāš), 'a serpent'. This term nachash (נָחָשׁ) is the same word used for the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3), linking this display of divine power directly to God's authority over that which represents temptation and evil. In Egypt, the serpent, particularly the cobra (Uraeus), was a powerful symbol of royalty, divine protection, and destructive power (associated with the goddess Wadjet, protecting Pharaoh). The transformation signifies God's supremacy over all such earthly and pagan powers.
• and Moses fled: וַיָּ֥נָס מֹשֶׁ֖ה (wayyā·nās mō·še), 'and Moses fled'. nās (נוּס) means to flee, escape, or retreat. Moses' uncalculated, instinctual reaction underscores the overwhelming, awe-inspiring, and perhaps terrifying nature of this raw, immediate divine manifestation. It shows his authentic human fear, validating the miracle's impact.
• from before it.: מִפָּנָֽיו (mippā·nāw), 'from its face' or 'from its presence'. This phrase emphasizes that Moses fled directly from the sight of the transformed staff, driven by fear.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he said, 'Throw it on the ground.'": This entire phrase conveys God's sovereign command. It's an act of initiation from the divine, testing Moses' simple obedience with a seemingly trivial action that yields profound results. It's the beginning of a chain of events orchestrated by God.
• "So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent;": This captures the instant cause-and-effect of divine power in response to human obedience. The "it became a serpent" part is the miracle, a supernatural shift in the nature of an object. This serves as God's proof of ability to Moses, assuring him of divine backing.
• "and Moses fled from before it.": This phrase captures the intense human response to encountering the raw power of the miraculous. It reveals Moses' authentic vulnerability and validates the sheer awe-inspiring nature of the event. His flight isn't a lack of faith, but a natural reaction to the unearthly manifestation, highlighting the true nature of God's awe-inspiring power.

Exodus 4 3 Bonus section

The rod, initially Moses' personal shepherd's staff, transitions conceptually in later verses (e.g., Ex 4:20) to become "the staff of God." This shift highlights that the object itself gains its power and significance not from its inherent nature, but from its designation and empowerment by the Lord for divine purposes. This divine transformation of an ordinary item for extraordinary tasks is a recurring theme in the Bible, demonstrating that God equips those He calls, turning their weaknesses or common tools into instruments of His mighty acts. The nachash (serpent) also implicitly carries a symbolic weight from Genesis 3, subtly communicating God's absolute authority not just over the physical world but over spiritual opposition.

Exodus 4 3 Commentary

Exodus 4:3 is pivotal in establishing Moses' credentials and the nature of God's power. The immediate transformation of an everyday shepherd's rod into a formidable serpent is an undeniable miracle, demonstrating God's sovereign control over creation and His ability to alter reality. This act is not arbitrary; it directly counters and supersedes Egyptian cultic symbols of power, specifically the sacred cobra (uraeus) often seen on Pharaoh's crown as a protective deity, hinting at the coming confrontation with Pharaoh and the superiority of Yahweh. Moses' involuntary reaction of fleeing emphasizes the genuine, overwhelming, and potentially terrifying encounter with divine might. His fear underscores the authenticity of the miracle, as it was not a trick but a raw display of God's presence, marking the humble origins of a divinely empowered staff destined for many wonders. This initial sign served to convince Moses himself, building his faith and obedience for the monumental task ahead.Practical usage examples:

• God often uses ordinary things for extraordinary purposes.
• Initial fear can accompany a genuine encounter with God's power.
• Obedience to a small, seemingly simple command can unleash mighty acts of God.