Exodus 6:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I [am] of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Moshe answered ADONAI, "Look, I'm such a poor speaker that Pharaoh won't listen to me."

Berean Standard Bible:

But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “Since I am unskilled in speech, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

American Standard Version:

And Moses said before Jehovah, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Moses^{H4872} said^{H559} before^{H6440} the LORD^{H3068}, Behold, I am of uncircumcised^{H6189} lips^{H8193}, and how shall Pharaoh^{H6547} hearken^{H8085} unto me?

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Commentary for Exodus 6:30

**Exodus 6:30 Summary:**

**Themes:**
- Humility and Unworthiness: Moses expresses his own sense of inadequacy, feeling that his speech impediment (referred to metaphorically as "uncircumcised lips") disqualifies him from the monumental task of confronting Pharaoh.
- Faith and Doubt: Despite God's assurances, Moses struggles with doubt about his ability to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery.
- Divine Assurance and Human Limitations: This verse highlights the contrast between God's promises and human perceptions of limitations, setting the stage for a demonstration of divine power overcoming human weakness.

**Historical Context:**
- The Israelites have been enslaved in Egypt for generations.
- God has appeared to Moses in a burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3-4).
- Moses initially expresses reluctance due to his perceived lack of eloquence (Exodus 4:10).
- After Moses and Aaron's first encounter with Pharaoh, the situation for the Israelites worsens, leading to Moses's lament in Exodus 6:30.
- This verse occurs within a larger narrative where God is reassuring Moses of His power and intentions to deliver Israel, despite the increasing hardship.

In this context, Moses's statement reflects the human tendency to focus on personal limitations when faced with great challenges, while the narrative as a whole emphasizes God's sovereignty and ability to work through flawed individuals to achieve His purposes.

*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: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
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: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6189
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָרֵל
   Transliteration: ʻârêl
   Pronunciation: aw-rale'
   Description: from עָרֵל; properly, exposed, i.e. projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically,; uncircumcised (i.e. still having the prepuce uncurtailed); uncircumcised (person).
   
6. Strong's Number: H8193
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂפָה
   Transliteration: sâphâh
   Pronunciation: saw-faw'
   Description: or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from סָפָה or שָׁפָה through the idea of termination (compare סוֹף); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.); band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6547
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
   Transliteration: Parʻôh
   Pronunciation: par-o'
   Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.