King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, [even] thy firstborn.
Complete Jewish Bible:
I have told you to let my son go in order to worship me, but you have refused to let him go. Well, then, I will kill your firstborn son!"'"
Berean Standard Bible:
and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And I say{H559} unto thee, Let my son{H1121} go{H7971}, that he may serve{H5647} me: and if thou refuse{H3985} to let him go{H7971}, behold, I will slay{H2026} thy son{H1121}, even thy firstborn{H1060}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 12:29
- ¶ And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
Exodus 11:5
- And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
Psalms 105:36
- He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
Psalms 135:8
- Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
Exodus 7:16
- And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
Exodus 5:1
- ¶ And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
Psalms 78:51
- And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of [their] strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 4:23
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Authority and Command:** God asserts His sovereignty over Pharaoh by commanding the release of His people, Israel, to serve Him.
- **Liberation and Service:** The theme of freedom from slavery is coupled with the purpose of serving God, indicating that true freedom is found in obedience to the divine will.
- **Ultimate Consequences:** The warning of punishment, specifically the death of Pharaoh's firstborn son, underscores the seriousness of disobeying God's command.
- **Redemption and Judgment:** The verse foreshadows the final plague (the death of the firstborn) that will lead to the Israelites' release, illustrating God's justice and the redemption of His chosen people.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Enslavement of Israel:** The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for centuries, and their population growth concerned Pharaoh, leading to increased oppression.
- **Moses' Mission:** God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Exodus 4:23 is part of God's instructions to Moses regarding what to say to Pharaoh.
- **The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart:** This verse occurs before the series of plagues that God would use to demonstrate His power over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh. Despite the warning, Pharaoh's heart was hardened, leading to the fulfillment of God's warning.
- **Cultural Significance:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, the firstborn son held significant importance, which made the threatened loss particularly impactful.
In summary, Exodus 4:23 is a pivotal verse that encapsulates the tension between God's demand for the release of His people and Pharaoh's resistance, setting the stage for the dramatic events of the plagues and the eventual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H5647
There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָבַד
Transliteration: ʻâbad
Pronunciation: aw-bad'
Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, - Strong's Number: H3985
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָאֵן
Transliteration: mâʼên
Pronunciation: maw-ane'
Description: a primitive root; to refuse; refuse, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H2026
There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָרַג
Transliteration: hârag
Pronunciation: haw-rag'
Description: a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent; destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H1060
There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּכוֹר
Transliteration: bᵉkôwr
Pronunciation: bek-ore'
Description: from בָּכַר; firstborn; hence, chief; eldest (son), firstborn(-ling).