Exodus 6:30 kjv
And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?
Exodus 6:30 nkjv
But Moses said before the LORD, "Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?"
Exodus 6:30 niv
But Moses said to the LORD, "Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?"
Exodus 6:30 esv
But Moses said to the LORD, "Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?"
Exodus 6:30 nlt
But Moses argued with the LORD, saying, "I can't do it! I'm such a clumsy speaker! Why should Pharaoh listen to me?"
Exodus 6 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 4:10 | But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent… | Moses' initial excuse about his speech. |
| Exo 4:11 | Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth?... Is it not I, the LORD? | God's power over human abilities. |
| Exo 4:12 | Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak. | God's promise of divine enablement for speech. |
| Exo 4:13 | But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” | Moses' continued reluctance. |
| Exo 6:12 | But Moses said before the LORD, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened... how then will Pharaoh listen to me... of uncircumcised lips?” | Previous instance of Moses' similar protest. |
| Jer 1:6 | Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” | Jeremiah's similar feeling of inadequacy. |
| Isa 6:5 | And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips... | Isaiah's similar lament concerning his lips. |
| Num 12:3 | Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men on the face of the earth. | Moses' deep humility, reflecting his self-perception. |
| 2 Cor 12:9-10 | But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”... For when I am weak, then I am strong. | God's strength perfected in human weakness. |
| 1 Cor 2:1-4 | And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming the mystery of God with lofty speech or wisdom… but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. | Paul's reliance on God, not human eloquence. |
| Rom 8:26 | Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness… | The Holy Spirit aiding human limitations. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Christ as the source of strength for tasks. |
| Ps 8:2 | Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength... | God's use of the seemingly weak to accomplish His will. |
| Jdg 6:15 | And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh...” | Gideon's similar self-doubt and excuses. |
| 1 Sam 9:21 | Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes... and my clan the humblest...? | Saul's similar expression of unworthiness. |
| Lk 1:20 | And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words... | Zechariah's temporary inability to speak as a sign of disbelief. |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. | God empowering His chosen messenger. |
| Heb 11:24-28 | By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter... | Moses' faith overriding human obstacles. |
| Acts 7:22 | And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. | Stephen's perspective: Moses was mighty, suggesting God empowered him beyond his perception. |
| Ps 51:15 | O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. | A plea for divine enablement to speak God's praise. |
| Prov 16:1 | The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. | God's ultimate control over speech. |
| Lk 21:15 | For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. | Christ's promise of divine enablement for His disciples' witness. |
| Eze 3:27 | But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ | God's active role in empowering prophetic speech. |
| Mk 13:11 | And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. | God providing words in times of trial. |
Exodus 6 verses
Exodus 6 30 Meaning
Exodus 6:30 reveals Moses' persistent self-doubt and deep sense of inadequacy, reiterating his perceived speech impediment or lack of eloquence to communicate God's message effectively to Pharaoh. Despite God's clear instruction and promise of assistance, Moses questions how he, a man of "uncircumcised lips" (meaning an impeded speaker), could possibly succeed in persuading the mighty ruler of Egypt.
Exodus 6 30 Context
Exodus 6:30 stands as the final verse in a dialogue between the Lord and Moses, concluding Moses' third attempt to refuse or express doubt about his mission to Pharaoh. The chapter begins with God powerfully reaffirming His covenant name, Yahweh, and His intention to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage and bring them into the promised land. He instructs Moses to deliver this message of liberation to the Israelites and then to Pharaoh. However, Moses states that the Israelites themselves, burdened by oppression, did not listen to him, implying Pharaoh would be even less receptive. Despite God’s repeated assurances of His presence and power (Exo 6:1-8), Moses persists in his deep-seated humility and fear concerning his ability to speak. This verse serves as a crucial point, highlighting Moses' ongoing struggle with self-perception versus God's call, setting the stage for God's divine provision of Aaron as Moses' spokesman.
Exodus 6 30 Word analysis
- Moses said (
dabar Moshe): Implies a spoken, direct statement, not just thought. "Said" (dabar) often implies serious communication, a formal declaration. - before the LORD (
lipney Yahweh): Literally "in the face of Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh." This signifies a direct, intimate, and perhaps vulnerable conversation with God, reinforcing Moses’ audacity and frankness in expressing his doubts directly to the Almighty covenant God. It shows a wrestling with God. - Behold (
Hinei): An interjection that calls immediate attention to what follows. It's used here to emphasize the crucial point Moses is about to make concerning his perceived disqualification. - I am of uncircumcised lips (
arel sephatayim):arel: "uncircumcised." This term literally refers to foreskin. Biblically, circumcision signifies readiness for covenant, purity, or dedication. Used metaphorically, "uncircumcised" denotes something impure, unprepared, or unfit for its intended purpose. It indicates a hindrance or a blockage.sephatayim: "lips," dual form. Synecdoche for speech, articulation, or even communication in general. The dual form emphasizes both lips and the mouth as a whole.- Together,
arel sephatayimconveys not merely a stammer or speech impediment, but a deeper sense of being unprepared, unqualified, or unfit to speak God’s holy message due to a perceived defect or impurity. It parallels "uncircumcised ears" (Jer 6:10 – those unwilling to hear) and "uncircumcised heart" (Dt 10:16; Jer 4:4 – those unwilling to obey). Moses believes his "lips" are unready or unacceptable to carry divine communication, akin to something defiled or profane in a sacred context.
- How then shall Pharaoh listen to me? (
v'eich yishma'eni Pharoah): This is a rhetorical question born out of profound doubt and a feeling of practical impossibility. Moses focuses on his human limitation rather than God's omnipotence. He envisions Pharaoh, the powerful and revered monarch, as utterly unreceptive to a man so imperfect in speech and lacking human authority, completely underestimating God's power to intervene and open Pharaoh's heart or overpower his will.
Exodus 6 30 Bonus section
- Moses' humility, as referenced in Numbers 12:3, is a striking feature of his character, yet here it manifests as debilitating self-doubt, indicating that even virtues can become hindrances when they eclipse faith in God's provision.
- The concept of "uncircumcised" applied to other body parts (heart, ears) highlights a pervasive biblical theme: external actions or appearances are insufficient; true spiritual fitness stems from internal dedication and purity before God. Moses' lament points to this holistic spiritual readiness, suggesting he felt his speech was not pure enough for a divine message.
- Later in Acts 7:22, Stephen describes Moses as "mighty in his words and deeds," presenting a contrasting perspective to Moses' self-perception. This difference emphasizes that God's empowerment can elevate an individual beyond their own perceived limitations, making them mighty where they felt weak. The power was not Moses' own, but God's through him.
Exodus 6 30 Commentary
Exodus 6:30 vividly captures Moses' persistent human weakness and self-perception, even in the face of repeated divine reassurance. Despite God re-establishing His covenant name, Yahweh, and detailing His mighty plan, Moses' focus remains fixed on his personal deficiency – his "uncircumcised lips." This isn't merely a stammer; it speaks to a deeper sense of unfitness or impurity for a holy task, reflecting a common biblical theme of inward preparedness. Moses' profound humility and struggle highlight a universal tension: how can an imperfect human represent an all-perfect God, especially before such a formidable worldly power like Pharaoh? The verse underscores that God often chooses the weak and unequipped in human eyes, not despite their flaws, but precisely so His divine power may be perfectly displayed through their inadequacy. It's a reminder that effectiveness in God's service relies on His enablement, not human eloquence or inherent strength.