Exodus 6:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 6:10-13

Here, I. God sends Moses the second time to Pharaoh (Exod. 6:11) upon the same errand as before, to command him, at his peril, that he let the children of Israel go. Note, God repeats his precepts before he begins his punishments. Those that have often been called in vain to leave their sins must yet be called again and again, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear, Ezek. 3:1. God is said to hew sinners by his prophets (Hos. 6:5), which denotes the repetition of the strokes. How... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 6:12

And Moses spake before the Lord ,.... Who appeared in a visible form, and had spoke to him with an articulate voice, and before whom Moses stood, and made the following reply: saying, behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me ; even though he brought a comfortable message to them from the Lord, and delivered many gracious promises of his to them, assuring them of deliverance out of Egypt, and of their possession of the land of Canaan: how then shall Pharaoh hear me ?... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 6:12

Uncircumcised lips? - The word ערל aral , which we translate uncircumcised, seems to signify any thing exuberant or superfluous. Had not Moses been remarkable for his excellent beauty, I should have thought the passage might be rendered protuberant lips; but as this sense cannot be admitted for the above reason, the word must refer to some natural impediment in his speech; and probably means a want of distinct and ready utterance, either occasioned by some defect in the organs of speech,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 6:9-12

The contagion of despair. I. ISRAEL 'S REJECTION OF THE PROFFERED CONSOLATION . They hearkened not "for anguish of spirit and for cruel bondage." 1 . The sympathy of the Word of God. Their case stated not only fairly but with infinite compassion. 2 . Israel's folly. Their anguish is permitted to stand between them and God their only helper—their sickness between them and the great Physician; multitudes will not hear because they have no sense of need, and multitudes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 6:9-30

Shaken faith, and an unshaken purpose. In these verses we have— I. A PAINFUL RESULT OF AFFLICTIVE PROVIDENCE . The children of Israel, hard-driven by their taskmasters, and sunk in misery, were so stupefied with sorrow, as to have no longer any heart for their cheering tidings brought to them by Moses. Their despair had its ground in unbelief. They judged Moses a deceiver. They had trusted him before, and they reflected that the only outcome of it had been this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 6:10-12

The Israelites having shown themselves, for the time, unimpressible, God commands Moses to make his next effort upon the Pharaoh. He is to enter into his presence once more, and demand, without circumlocution or obscurity, that the Israelites be allowed to quit the land ( Exodus 6:11 ). Moses, however, demurs. He had done God's will with respect to the people readily and at once, expecting that , as he had persuaded them before, so he would a second time. But he had been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 6:11-13

The new commission. And Moses spoke so, etc.: Exodus 6:9 . I. THE AUDACITY OF FAITH . Describe the treatment of Moses and Aaron. They acted under Divine direction, did their very best, but just because everything did not go well instantly, and that through the frowardness and waywardness of others, the people turned upon them, and upbraided them as accessories to their slavery. [See Matthew Henry for some valuable practical notes on this and other parts of this passage from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 6:12

Uncircumcised lips , i.e. "lips inefficient for the purpose for which lips are given;" as "uncircumcised ears" are ears that cannot hearken ( Jeremiah 6:10 ), and an "uncircumcised heart" a heart that cannot understand ( Jeremiah 9:26 ). The meaning is the same as in Exodus 4:10 , where Moses says that he is "slow of speech and of a slow tongue." Nothing can be determined from the expression as to the exact cause of the imperfection of which complaint is made. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 6:12

Uncircumcised lips - An uncircumcised ear is one that does not hear clearly; an uncircumcised heart one slow to receive and understand warnings; uncircumcised lips, such as cannot speak fluently. The recurrence of the hesitation of Moses is natural; great as was the former trial this was far more severe; yet his words always imply fear of failure, not of personal danger (see Exodus 3:11). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 6:12-13

Exodus 6:12-13. Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me They gave no heed to what I have said; how then shall Pharaoh hear me? If the anguish of their spirit makes them deaf to that which would compose and comfort them, much more will his pride and insolence make him deaf to that which will but exasperate him. Who am of uncircumcised lips He was conscious to himself that he had not the gift of utterance. The Lord gave them a charge to the children of Israel and to... read more

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