Exodus 6 12

Exodus 6:12 kjv

And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

Exodus 6:12 nkjv

And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, "The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?"

Exodus 6:12 niv

But Moses said to the LORD, "If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?"

Exodus 6:12 esv

But Moses said to the LORD, "Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?"

Exodus 6:12 nlt

"But LORD!" Moses objected. "My own people won't listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I'm such a clumsy speaker! "

Exodus 6 verses

Exodus 6 12 Meaning

Exodus 6:12 presents Moses' profound expression of self-doubt and perceived inadequacy after hearing the Israelites' unresponsive complaints. He voices his inability to communicate effectively with Pharaoh, citing that if even his own people, the children of Israel, would not listen to him, then how could the powerful Pharaoh, who possessed no reason to believe him, possibly heed his words? The phrase "uncircumcised lips" metaphorically signifies his perceived speech impediment, dullness of speech, or an inability to articulate God's message clearly and persuasively, thereby making him unfit for the divine task.

Exodus 6 12 Context

Exodus chapter 6 begins with God reiterating His divine name Yahweh and His covenant promises to Moses, declaring His resolute plan to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage with a mighty hand. This reassurance follows Moses' earlier failure and Israel's desperate grumbling in Exodus 5, where Pharaoh intensified their labor, leading the foremen to accuse Moses of making their situation worse. Despite God's explicit words, Moses finds himself unable to convince his own people, who, because of their crushing servitude and anguish of spirit, do not heed him. This immediate context of Israel's unresponsiveness fuels Moses' deeply ingrained doubts about his own fitness to confront Pharaoh, making his "uncircumcised lips" not just a physical complaint but a manifestation of profound spiritual and psychological weariness. It expresses a struggle common to human agents chosen for divine tasks, wrestling with their personal inadequacies versus God's overwhelming call.

Exodus 6 12 Word analysis

• And Moses spoke before the LORD: Signifies a direct address to God, indicating a personal moment of lament, prayer, and expressing deepest fears. "Spoke before" (va'yedabber lifnei) emphasizes intimate petition rather than a formal address.
• Behold: (Hinne) An exclamation drawing attention, here to the startling reality of Israel's failure to listen, setting up the logical flow of Moses' argument.
• the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me: (Lo'-shame'u elay b'nei Yisrael). "Not hearkened" (lo'-shame'u) implies not only a failure to listen with ears but, more importantly, a refusal to obey or respond positively. It indicates an active rejection or profound lack of receptiveness due to their deep distress.
• how then shall Pharaoh hear me: A rhetorical question expressing extreme doubt and a perceived logical impossibility. Moses questions his own authority and persuasive power, given his previous experience with his own people.
• who am of uncircumcised lips: This phrase (aral s'fatayim) is crucial.
  • Uncircumcised (aral): Literally meaning "having a foreskin," symbolizing an unreadiness, impurity, or obstruction. Here, metaphorically applied to lips, it implies a deficiency or blockage that hinders proper function.
  • Lips (s'fatayim): Representing speech, articulation, and the capacity to communicate effectively.
  • Together, "uncircumcised lips" signifies a perceived speech impediment, dullness of articulation, lack of eloquence, or a ritualistic uncleanness making him unfit to deliver a powerful divine message to an earthly king like Pharaoh. It extends beyond a simple stutter to a deeper sense of being inadequate or spiritually "unclean" for the sacred task of conveying God's majestic words.
• Moses spoke before the LORD, saying: This is Moses addressing his deepest fears directly to God, highlighting his human vulnerability and the intensity of his internal struggle against the immense task ahead.
• The children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me: This grouping highlights Moses' internal logic: if his own people, bound by covenant and experiencing the burden of slavery, could not be moved by God's promise through him, what hope was there for him to sway a pagan king known for his obstinance and power, to whom Moses had no intrinsic connection or authority? This showcases a deep sense of discouragement stemming from Israel's lack of faith and their personal attacks.
• who am of uncircumcised lips: This phrase summarizes Moses' fundamental complaint about his own fitness. It's not just a stutter but a perceived systemic inadequacy, a functional "imperfection" that, in his view, renders him unsuitable to speak God's authoritative word effectively.

Exodus 6 12 Bonus section

The concept of "uncircumcised" is a rich theological metaphor. While circumcision literally involved the body, the prophets frequently used "uncircumcised" metaphorically to describe hearts, ears, or lips that were closed, resistant, or unprepared for God's truth. Moses' complaint highlights a common human tendency to evaluate divine assignments based on visible qualifications and past failures rather than relying on God's empowerment. This verse serves as a crucial point in Moses' spiritual journey, demonstrating his human vulnerability before God consistently reiterates His authority and purpose. The LORD's response to Moses' continued hesitancy (Ex 6:30; 7:1-2) shows divine patience but also uncompromising determination to accomplish His will through His chosen vessel, despite any perceived human inadequacy.

Exodus 6 12 Commentary

Exodus 6:12 reveals Moses at a low point, questioning his divine commission after encountering the crushing discouragement of Israel's disbelief and hardship. His immediate experience with his own people's rejection deeply shakes his confidence. The complaint of "uncircumcised lips" is not merely about a physical speech impediment; it reflects a spiritual and emotional barrier. In the broader biblical context, "uncircumcised" often denotes spiritual dullness, impurity, or an inability to receive or convey divine truth (as with "uncircumcised heart" or "uncircumcised ears"). Moses applies this spiritual inability to his physical instrument of speech, feeling utterly unqualified to be God's spokesman, especially to a figure as powerful and alien as Pharaoh, when even his own kin refused to listen. This verse underscores the divine pattern of choosing instruments based on God's sovereignty, not human qualifications. Moses' doubt, persistent even after God's grand promises in the preceding verses, sets the stage for God's patient yet firm reaffirmation of His plan, highlighting that ultimate effectiveness stems not from the speaker's human eloquence, but from the power of the One who sends them. It reminds believers that God often works through those who perceive themselves as weak or flawed, magnifying His strength through their limitations.