Exodus 4:6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

I. Moses objects that in all probability the people would not hearken to his voice (Exod. 4:1), that is, they would not take his bare word, unless he showed them some sign, which he had not been yet instructed to do. This objection cannot be justified, because it contradicts what God had said (Exod. 3:18), They shall hearken to thy voice. If God says, They will, does it become Moses to say, They will not? Surely he means, ?Perhaps they will not at first, or some of them will not.? If there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:6

And the Lord said furthermore unto him ,.... Continued his discourse, and gave him another sign: put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom ; within his coat, under that part of the garment next to his breast: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow ; that is, white as snow, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, through the leprosy that was upon it; it was a leprosy of the white sort, and which is reckoned the worst and most... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:6

His hand was leprous as snow - That is, the leprosy spread itself over the whole body in thin white scales; and from this appearance it has its Greek name λεπρα , from λεπις , a scale. Dr. Mead says, "I have seen a remarkable case of this in a countryman, whose whole body was so miserably seized with it, that his skin was shining as if covered with snow; and as the surfuraceous scales were daily rubbed off, the flesh appeared quick or raw underneath." The leprosy, at least among the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:6

Verse 6 6.Put now thy hand into thy bosom. By this sign Moses was instructed that what is in the greatest vigour withers away at once, at the command of God; and that what is dry is thus restored to its original vigour; in a word, the statement of Paul was confirmed by it, that God “calleth those things which be not, as though they were.” (Romans 4:17.) It was, so to say, a kind of leprosy, when Moses was banished from the court into the land of Midian, where he led his flock through wild and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

The third difficulty: how is Moses to deal with an incredulous Israel? With the mention of this third difficulty, we begin to see how much of doubt, self-distrust, and reluctance disturbed the mind of Moses. And no wonder. This revelation and commandment of God had come very suddenly upon him; and though strong assurances and sufficient information were readily given, yet he could not all at once receive the comforts which flowed from them. Had he attended to what God said by way of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

Weakness and strength for God's service. I. FEAR OF THE REJECTION OF THE MESSAGE WE BEAR FOR GOD MAKES ITS DELIVERANCE IMPOSSIBLE . The tidings he was to bear were so wonderful that he believed his words would be listened to with utter incredulity. Our Gospel is more wonderful still. To speak it, our eye must rest less on the message, and more on God's power to chastise and to bless. We are not critics of, nor apologists for, the Gospel: we are messengers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-10

A trilogy of signs. In reply to his complaint that the people would not believe him, nor hearken to his voice, God gave Moses three signs. These are to be viewed— I. AS ATTESTATIONS OF HIS DIVINE COMMISSION ( Exodus 4:5 , Exodus 4:8 ). Divine power is supernaturally exercised in proof of Moses' title to speak with Divine authority. This is a clear case of the use of miracles as credentials of a mission, and confutes those who reason that this view of miracles has no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The reluctance of Moses to undertake the part of leader, indicated by his first reply at his first calling, "Who am I that I should go?" etc. ( Exodus 3:11 ), was not yet overcome. God had promised that he would succeed; but he did not see how he could succeed, either with the people or with Pharaoh. It was not enough for him that God had declared, "They (the people) shall hearken unto thy voice" ( Exodus 3:18 ); he does not, cannot believe this, and replies: "Behold, they will not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

Divine supplements for human infirmity. "Now therefore go, and I will be with thee," etc. ( Exodus 4:12 .) It is not at all clear whether the four objections urged by Moses against receiving the Divine commission were presented at one interview with the manifested God, or whether the controversy recorded Ex 3:1-4:17, occupied weeks or months. The probabilities are in favour of some considerable time. See Exodus 4:10 , and specially in the Hebrews In dealing with this particular plea,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6

Furthermore . The first sign is followed by a second, equally simple and easy of performance, and perhaps, in the eyes of the Israelites, even more marvellous. Leprosy in a developed form was regarded as absolutely incurable. (Celsus, 'De Re Medica,' 5.7-8.) Its instantaneous production and removal were contrary to all experience, and in themselves thoroughly astonishing. Further, while the first miracle was simply a sign of supernatural power—a credential, the second was a warning and a... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6

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