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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:1-31

Signs Attesting the Commission of Moses. His Return to EgyptMoses still hesitates, and now objects that the péople will not believe him when he tells them that Jehovah has sent him. He is granted the power of working three signs by way of substantiating his commission.2. A rod] probably his shepherd’s staff.3. Fled from before it] A graphic trait, showing that the change was real, and that Moses was not prepared for it. 4. By the tail] Snake charmers usually take snakes by the neck to prevent... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 4:20

(20) His sons.—Only one had been mentioned previously, viz., Gershom (Exodus 2:22), unless we accept the Vulgate addition to that place. But another had been recently born to him.Set them upon an ass.—Heb., upon the ass, i.e., cither “upon his ass,” or, according to some, “upon asses.” The singular of a substantive with the article is sometimes used for the genus (Genesis 15:11).He returned.—Rather, set out to return (ἐπέστρεψεν, LXX.).The rod of God.—An emphatic phrase. God’s endowment of the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Exodus 4:1-31

The Rod That Is in Thine Hand Exodus 4:2 ; Exodus 4:17 I. God often does His greatest works by the humblest means. The great forces of nature are not in the earthquake which tumbles cities into ruins. This power passes in a moment; the soft silent light, the warm summer rain, the stars whose voice is not heard these are the majestic mighty forces which fill the earth with riches, and control the worlds which constitute the wide universe of God. II. So in Providence. The founders of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:18-31

MOSES OBEYS.Exodus 4:18-31.Moses is now commissioned: he is to go to Egypt, and Aaron is coming thence to meet him. Yet he first returns to Midian, to Jethro, who is both his employer and the head of the family, and prays him to sanction his visit to his own people.There are duties which no family resistance can possibly cancel, and the direct command of God made it plain that this was one of them. But there are two ways of performing even the most imperative obligation, and religious people... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Exodus 4:1-28

CHAPTER 4:1-28 Moses’ Objections, Jehovah’s Answer and the Return to Egypt 1. The first objection (Exodus 4:1 ) 2. The two signs and Jehovah’s assurance (Exodus 4:2-9 ) 3. The second objection (Exodus 4:10 ) 4. Jehovah’s answer (Exodus 4:11-12 ) 5. Moses’ request (Exodus 4:13 ) 6. Jehovah’s anger and answer (Exodus 4:14-17 ) 7. The command to return to Egypt (Exodus 4:18-23 ) 8. The event by the way in the inn (Exodus 4:24-26 ) 9. The meeting of Moses and Aaron (4:27-28) The... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Exodus 4:20

4:20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the {h} rod of God in his hand.(h) By which he wrought the miracles. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:1-31

God's message to Moses has been so clear that it cannot be mistaken. He has made no secret of the opposition of Pharaoh, but has declared positively that He would enable Israel to triumph over this and to gain greatly through the experience. But still apprehensive, Moses asks, "Suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice?" (v.1). But God had told him they WOULD listen (ch.3:18). Why not believe Him'? God compassionately responds, however, telling him to make use of what was in his... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:1-28

THE CALL OF MOSES The Egyptian records refer to Moses. Rameses, said by many to be the Pharaoh of the Exodus, built a great monument on which he made an inscription naming the nobility who were present when it was erected. Toward the end of the list he mentions “The ra-Moses, Child of the Lady and Priestess of the Sun God Ra.” Note the peculiarity of the description. “The ra-Moses” means some distinguished ra-Moses, while “Child of the Lady” describes a situation and relation not unlike... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Exodus 4:1-31

Moses Before Pharaoh Exo 4:21 There are of course many difficulties, by us insoluble, in connection with the sovereignty of God. This must be distinctly recognised, and no man must expect to have all mysteries dwarfed to the measure of his own understanding. The greatest of all mysteries is God himself, yet we are not therefore to doubt his existence, or to deny his loving providence. The mere fact of any question being mysterious does not in any way affect its truthfulness. There are... read more

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