Exodus 4:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:22

Thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Israel is my son . This would be addressing Pharaoh in language familiar to him. Each Egyptian monarch of this period was accustomed to style himself, "son of the Sun," and to claim and expect the constant favour and protection of his divine parent. It was also quite within the range of Egyptian ideas that God should declare himself by word of mouth to his special favourites, and give directions as to their actions. My firstborn . Not only "as dear to me as to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:22-23

Israel a type of sonship. Consider— 1 . The condescension of God in the establishing of this relationship. A nation of slaves; in the eyes of the Egyptians little better than a nation of lepers; yet Jehovah says of them, "Israel is my son, my firstborn." "Behold what manner of love," etc. ( 1 John 3:1 ). 2 . The privileges implied in it. On this cf. Deuteronomy 1:31-34 ; Deuteronomy 8:2-6 ; Deuteronomy 32:9-15 . Reflect how Israel was led, fed, guided, trained,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 4:22

My firstborn - The expression would be perfectly intelligible to Pharaoh, whose official designation was “son of Ra.” In numberless inscriptions the Pharaohs are styled “own sons” or “beloved sons” of the deity. It is here applied for the first time to Israel; and as we learn from Exodus 4:23, emphatically in antithesis to Pharaoh’s own firstborn. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 4:21-23

Exodus 4:21-23. Which I have put in thy hand In thy power: I will harden his heart After he has frequently hardened it himself, wilfully shutting his eyes against the light, I will at last permit Satan to harden it effectually. Thus saith the Lord This is the first time that preface is used by any man, which afterward is used so frequently by all the prophets: Israel is my son, my firstborn Precious in my sight, honourable, and dear to me. Let my son go Not only my servant, whom... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:18-31

Moses returns to Egypt (4:18-31)After meeting God, Moses returned to Jethro and then set out with his wife and sons for Egypt. God warned Moses of the stubbornness he could expect to meet in Pharaoh and of the disaster this would bring upon the Egyptian people (18-23). However, Moses could hardly instruct Israel to obey God when he himself had neglected the first requirement of the covenant, the circumcision of his son (cf. Genesis 17:10,Genesis 17:14). God sent Moses a near-fatal illness or... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 4:22

Thus saith the LORD [Jehovah]. Occurs in Ex. three times, Exodus 4:22 ; Exodus 7:17 ; Exodus 9:1 . Literally "hath said"; as elsewhere. My son . Compare Matthew 2:15 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 4:22-23

"And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my first-born: and I have said unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and thou hast refused to let him go: behold, I will slay thy son, thy first-born.""Israel is my first-born ..." This remarkable statement establishes the Old Israel as the type of the New Israel; and later, in this study, we shall point out the extensive parallels between them. All of the marvelous experiences of Israel throughout the Book of Exodus... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 4:22

Exodus 4:22. Israel is my son, &c.— See Psalms 89:27; Psalms 2:7. This phrase is expressive of God's peculiar regard and favour to the people of Israel; whom he had chosen and adopted, as it were, to share the first and greatest privileges of his children, and to be the grand repositories of his best blessings to mankind. REFLECTIONS.—We may observe here, 1. Moses taking leave of his father-in-law. We must never be wanting in respect to our parents, whatever calls of duty may be upon us. 2.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 4:19-23

Moses did not return immediately to Egypt when he arrived back in Midian following his encounter with God at Horeb (Exodus 4:19). God spoke to him again in Midian and sent him back to Egypt assuring His servant that everyone who had sought his life earlier had died. Compare Abram’s stalling in Haran until God again urged him to press on to the unknown Promised Land.Exodus 4:20 describes what Moses did after God’s full revelation to him in Midian that continues in Exodus 4:21-23. In... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 4:19-31

7. Moses’ return to Egypt 4:19-31 read more

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