Exodus 4:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI answered him, "Who gives a person a mouth? Who makes a person dumb or deaf, keen-sighted or blind? Isn't it I, ADONAI?

Berean Standard Bible:

And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh a man dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? is it not I, Jehovah?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} said^{H559} unto him, Who hath made^{H7760} man's^{H120} mouth^{H6310}? or who maketh^{H7760} the dumb^{H483}, or deaf^{H2795}, or the seeing^{H6493}, or the blind^{H5787}? have not I the LORD^{H3068}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 4:11

**Exodus 4:11 Themes:**
- **Divine Sovereignty:** The verse emphasizes God's authority over human abilities and disabilities. It underscores that God is the creator and has the power to shape individuals with varying capacities.
- **Trust in God:** This verse is part of a dialogue where Moses questions his own ability to speak effectively to Pharaoh. God's response is meant to reassure Moses that his abilities or disabilities do not limit God's power to work through him.
- **God's Power Overcoming Human Limitations:** The verse conveys that God can use anyone, regardless of their perceived limitations, to fulfill His purposes.

**Historical Context:**
- **Moses' Call:** Exodus 4:11 is set within the narrative of Moses' call by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses feels inadequate for the task, particularly because of his speaking difficulties.
- **Egyptian Backdrop:** At this time, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, and Moses was being commissioned to confront Pharaoh, demanding the release of his people. The reference to the deaf and blind may also reflect the ancient Egyptian belief in many gods, including those who were thought to preside over various disabilities.
- **Theological Counterpoint:** The verse serves as a theological counterpoint to pagan beliefs by asserting that it is the Hebrew God, Yahweh, who is sovereign over all aspects of life, including physical abilities and disabilities.

In summary, Exodus 4:11 is a declaration of God's sovereignty and power over human faculties, meant to instill confidence in Moses as he is called to a task that seems beyond his capabilities. It challenges Moses, and by extension all readers, to trust in God's ability to work through human weakness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7760
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׂוּם
   Transliteration: sûwm
   Pronunciation: soom
   Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work.
   
4. Strong's Number: H120
   There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדָם
   Transliteration: ʼâdâm
   Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
   Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6310
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּה
   Transliteration: peh
   Pronunciation: peh
   Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
   
6. Strong's Number: H483
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִלֵּם
   Transliteration: ʼillêm
   Pronunciation: il-lame'
   Description: from אָלַם; speechless; dumb (man).
   
7. Strong's Number: H2795
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵרֵשׁ
   Transliteration: chêrêsh
   Pronunciation: khay-rashe'
   Description: from חָרַשׁ; deaf (whether literally or spiritual); deaf.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6493
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פִּקֵּחַ
   Transliteration: piqqêach
   Pronunciation: pik-kay'-akh
   Description: from פָּקַח; clear-sighted; figuratively, intelligent; seeing, wise.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5787
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִוֵּר
   Transliteration: ʻivvêr
   Pronunciation: iv-vare'
   Description: intensive from עָוַר; blind (literally or figuratively); blind (men, people).