Exodus 4:24-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 4:24-31

Moses is here going to Egypt, and we are told, I. How God met him in anger, Exod. 4:24-26. This is a very difficult passage of story; much has been written, and excellently written, to make it intelligible; we will try to make it improving. Here is, 1. The sin of Moses, which was neglecting to circumcise his son. This was probably the effect of his being unequally yoked with a Midianite, who was too indulgent of her child, while Moses was too indulgent of her. Note, (1.) We have need to watch... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:24

And it came to pass by the way, in the inn ,.... As Moses and his family were travelling in their way to Egypt, at an inn where they stopped for the refreshment of themselves and cattle, or in order to lodge all night: so it was, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him; not the uncircumcised son of Moses, as some think, but Moses himself, who had neglected the circumcision of his son; that from the context, and the fact of Zipporah, after related, seems to be the reason of the divine... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:25

Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son ,.... Perceiving that it was the neglect of circumcising her son was the cause of the divine displeasure against her husband; and he being either so ill through the disease upon him, or so terrified with the appearance of the Lord to him, in the manner it was, that he could not perform this rite himself, she undertook it; and, according to the Jewish canons F2 Maimon. Hilchot Milah, c. 2. sect. 1. Shulchan Aruch, par.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:24

By the way in the inn - See Clarke's note on Genesis 42:27 . The account in this and the following verse is very obscure. Some suppose that the Exodus 4:23 ; is not a part of the message to Pharaoh, but was spoken by the Lord to Moses; and that the whole may be thus paraphrased: "And I have said unto thee, (Moses), Send forth שלח shallach , my son, (Gershom, by circumcising him), that he may serve me, (which he cannot do till entered into the covenant by circumcision), but thou hast... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:24

Verse 24 24.And it came to pass by the way. The expression, “the Lord met him,” is here used in a bad sense, for an adverse meeting, or hostile encounter; as though Moses should say that the hand of the Lord was against him to interrupt his journey. In what form He appeared we know not, except that the words pretty plainly imply that Moses was assured of His anger, so as to be aware that his death was near. For had he not been instructed by revelation or by an angel, it would not have at all... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:25

Verse 25 25.Then Zipporah took a sharp stone. Because the wife here improperly assumed this office, some of the Rabbins conjecture that this was done in the absence of her husband; but the context contradicts them; and therefore I doubt not but that she seized hold of a knife or a stone hastily, as is common in times of fear and confusion. For fear had so affected her mind, that she did not act with consideration. Moses, too, might have lain incapable in his anxiety. Certainly the child was not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:18-25

If Moses had, as we have supposed, been accepted into the Midianitish nation, he would need permission to withdraw himself from the tribal head. This head was now Jether, or Jethro, Moses' connexion by marriage, perhaps his brother-in-law, perhaps a less near connexion. Nations and tribes were at this time anxious to keep up their numbers, and jealous of the desertion even of a single member. Jethro, however, made no opposition to the return of Moses to Egypt, even though he designed to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:18-31

Facing Egypt. "And the people believed, and when," etc. ( Exodus 4:31 ). This section of the history may be homiletically treated under three geographical headings, which will keep the historical development prominent, without obscuring the moral and spiritual elements. I. MIDIAN . From Sinai Moses returned to Midian. Reuel now dead, Jethro, probably his son, becomes priest and sheikh of the tribe. [We take Jethro to have been the brother-in-law of Moses. See 'Speaker's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:19-29

My times are in Thy hand. Moses thought himself fit for his work at forty-eager to undertake it before the years increased; God waits until his self-confidence has abated, and then, at eighty, gives him his commission. I. THE GREAT COMMISSION . His errand is to Pharaoh, as an ambassador from the King of heaven to the king of Egypt. Notice— 1 . His credentials. As coming in a king's name he must be accredited by the king who sends him. God gives him signs, very simple but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:24

It came to pass by the way in the inn . "Inns," in our sense of the word, were unknown in the East for many ages after the time of Moses, and are still of very rare occurrence. Khans or caravanserais take their place. These are unfurnished buildings, open to all travellers, who thus obtain shelter gratis? but must provide themselves with food, bedding, and all other necessaries. It is questioned, however, if even such a place as this is here meant. Probably, the malon of Moses' time was... read more

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