Exodus 4:11

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 4:11 presents God's direct and profound response to Moses' persistent self-doubt and perceived inadequacy, asserting His absolute sovereignty and creative power over all human faculties, including speech, hearing, and sight. This pivotal declaration serves to dismantle Moses' excuses, reaffirming that God, as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer, is fully capable of equipping and empowering those He calls for His divine purposes, regardless of their perceived human limitations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and powerful divine rejoinder to Moses' fourth and most direct excuse in [Exodus 4:10](/exodus/4-10 "Moses' complaint about his speech"), where he protests, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent... but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Moses' reluctance stems from a deep-seated insecurity about his speaking ability, which he believes disqualifies him from being God's spokesperson to Pharaoh and the Israelites. God's rhetorical questions in [Exodus 4:11](/exodus/4-11 "God's response to Moses' excuse") directly address this perceived inadequacy by redirecting Moses' focus from his own human limitations to the boundless power and authority of God as the Creator and Sustainer of all life. This exchange is part of a larger divine commissioning narrative (Exodus 3-4) where God patiently, yet firmly, overcomes Moses' objections, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His chosen servant and His redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, oratorical skill was highly valued, especially for leaders and messengers. A "slow tongue" or lack of eloquence could be seen as a significant impediment to authority and persuasion. Furthermore, physical conditions like being "dumb," "deaf," or "blind" were often understood within a framework of divine action or judgment, though the Old Testament also presents a nuanced view. God's declaration here challenges the prevailing human-centric view of ability and authority, asserting a divine prerogative over all human conditions. It underscores that the God of Israel, [Yahweh](/exodus/3-14 "God reveals His name, I AM WHO I AM"), is not merely a tribal deity but the sovereign Creator whose power transcends all human expectations and limitations, including those perceived as disabilities or disadvantages. This divine assertion would have been revolutionary, shifting the focus from human capability to divine enablement.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 4:11](/exodus/4-11 "God's response to Moses' excuse") centrally contributes to several profound themes woven throughout the book of Exodus and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, unequivocally declaring God's ultimate control over all creation, including the intricate design and function of human physical attributes. It powerfully illustrates **God's Equipping Power**, emphasizing that divine strength is made perfect in human weakness, and that God empowers those He calls, rather than calling the already equipped. This verse also highlights the theme of **Challenging Human Excuses and Self-Doubt**, serving as a divine rebuke to self-focused apprehension and a call to trust in God's ability to enable individuals for His purposes, regardless of their perceived inadequacies. Finally, the use of God's covenant name, "the LORD" (Yahweh), reinforces the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness and Active Involvement** in fulfilling His redemptive plan, assuring Moses that the One who calls him is fully capable of sustaining and empowering him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In Exodus 4:11, the LORD confronts Moses' self-focused doubt with a series of rhetorical questions culminating in an emphatic divine assertion. The questions are designed to lead Moses to an inescapable conclusion about God's omnipotence and His exclusive claim as the ultimate source of all human faculties.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the divine, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. From the root "to be," it signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal." In this context, the use of "the LORD" is profoundly significant, emphasizing God's personal, active presence, His faithfulness to His promises, and His unique, unchallengeable authority as the God who *is*, who *acts*, and who *creates*. It is the God of the covenant, who is now speaking to Moses and calling him to service, underscoring His unassailable power as the ultimate Maker and Sustainer, capable of empowering Moses beyond any personal deficiency.
* **man's (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_):** Derived from a root meaning "ruddy," this term refers to a human being, encompassing both an individual and the species (mankind). In this verse, it highlights the created nature of humanity. By asking "Who hath made man's mouth?", God is reminding Moses that the very organ he perceives as deficient was fashioned by God Himself. This emphasizes that human existence and all its faculties are not self-derived but are entirely dependent on the divine Creator.
* **mouth (Hebrew, _peh'_):** This word refers to the literal mouth, but also figuratively to speech itself, or as the means of blowing. Moses' specific complaint in [Exodus 4:10](/exodus/4-10 "Moses' complaint about his speech") was about his "slow speech" and "slow tongue." God's direct reference to the "mouth" in His rhetorical question directly addresses Moses' perceived inadequacy, reminding him that the very instrument of speech was designed and created by God, and thus, God can certainly enable it to speak His words effectively.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto him,"**: This opening phrase establishes the divine origin of the words that follow, highlighting God's direct and authoritative engagement with Moses. It underscores that this is not a human opinion or suggestion, but a definitive declaration from the sovereign God of Israel, Yahweh.
* **"Who hath made man's mouth?"**: This is the first of a series of rhetorical questions, designed not to elicit information but to provoke a profound realization in Moses. It challenges Moses' focus on his own perceived deficiency by reminding him that the very organ of speech was fashioned by God. The implied answer—God alone—establishes Him as the ultimate Creator and Giver of all human faculties.
* **"or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind?"**: This expands the scope of God's creative and sustaining power to encompass the full spectrum of human physical conditions, including those often perceived as disabilities. The question highlights God's sovereign control over all aspects of human existence and physical attributes. It is not necessarily an assertion that God *causes* these conditions in every instance, but rather that He is ultimately sovereign over all existence and can work through or despite any human limitation, demonstrating His comprehensive power.
* **"have not I the LORD?"**: This concluding declaration is the emphatic answer to all preceding questions. The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh) is crucial, as it is God's personal, covenantal name, signifying His active presence, faithfulness, and unique authority. It is the God who *is*, who *acts*, and who *creates*—the same God who is now speaking to Moses and calling him to service. This underscores His unchallengeable authority as the ultimate Maker and Sustainer, capable of empowering Moses beyond any personal deficiency.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 4:11 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the use of **Rhetorical Questions**, where God asks questions not for information, but to prompt Moses (and the reader) to an undeniable conclusion about His omnipotence. The questions "Who hath made man's mouth?" and "or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind?" serve to dismantle Moses' self-focused doubt by forcing him to acknowledge God's ultimate creative and sustaining power over all human faculties. This is followed by a direct **Assertion** ("have not I the LORD?"), which acts as the definitive answer, leaving no room for further argument. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** through the listing of contrasting pairs—"dumb" and "deaf" alongside "seeing" and "blind"—to emphasize the comprehensive nature of God's sovereignty over all human physical conditions, whether perceived as abilities or disabilities. This comprehensive scope underscores that nothing is outside of God's ultimate control and purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 4:11 is a foundational declaration of divine sovereignty, asserting God's ultimate control over all aspects of creation, particularly human faculties. It challenges the human tendency to rely on perceived personal strengths or weaknesses, redirecting focus to God's limitless power to equip and enable. This verse underscores that God does not call the equipped but rather equips the called, demonstrating His power perfected in human weakness, and that His purposes will be accomplished through His divine enablement rather than human capability. It serves as a powerful reminder that our limitations are never a barrier to God's will, only an opportunity for His glory to be revealed.

* [Psalm 139:13-14](/psalms/139-13-14 "God's intimate creation of individuals")
* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "God as the Creator of light and darkness, good and evil")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "God's strength made perfect in weakness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 4:11 offers profound encouragement and a direct challenge to believers today. In a world that often values human ability, eloquence, and perceived competence, this verse powerfully reminds us that our effectiveness in God's service is not primarily dependent on our natural talents or lack thereof, but on His limitless power and purpose. When we feel inadequate, overwhelmed by a task, or prone to making excuses for not serving God, this passage calls us to shift our focus from our own perceived weaknesses to the boundless strength of the One who created all things and sustains them. Just as God equipped Moses despite his "slow tongue," He promises to empower us for our unique callings, reminding us that [we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All things through Christ who strengthens me") and that [God's strength is made perfect in weakness](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's strength made perfect in weakness"). Our perceived limitations become platforms for God's glory, demonstrating that His power is made manifest precisely when we acknowledge our dependence on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "slow tongue" or perceived inadequacy might be holding you back from obeying God's call in your life?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over all human faculties (including yours) change your perspective on your abilities and limitations?**
* **In what specific area of your life or ministry do you need to trust God's equipping power more fully, rather than relying on your own strength or making excuses?**

### FAQ
**Does Exodus 4:11 imply God causes disabilities?**

Answer: This verse asserts God's ultimate sovereignty over all human faculties, including their formation and function. It emphasizes His power to work through any condition, rather than explicitly stating He *causes* all disabilities in every instance. The primary focus is on God's ability to empower and use individuals regardless of perceived limitations, demonstrating His comprehensive control over all aspects of creation. The rhetorical questions are designed to highlight that nothing about human existence, including its variations, falls outside of God's ultimate knowledge and power.

**How does this verse challenge our excuses for not serving God?**

Answer: [Exodus 4:11](/exodus/4-11 "God's response to Moses' excuse") directly confronts the human tendency to rely on personal abilities or perceived lack thereof as a basis for obedience. God's rhetorical questions dismantle Moses' self-focused doubts, reminding us that our effectiveness in service stems from God's power and equipping, not our inherent talents. It calls us to trust God's ability to enable us for His purposes, rather than making excuses based on our own perceived weaknesses. Just as God was able to use a "slow-tongued" Moses, He can use anyone He calls, for His power is perfected in human weakness, as seen throughout biblical history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Exodus 4:11](/exodus/4-11 "God's response to Moses' excuse") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God empowered Moses for a seemingly impossible task, Christ embodies the divine power to overcome all human limitations and weaknesses. His earthly ministry consistently demonstrated God's sovereignty over physical conditions, as He healed the blind, deaf, and mute, restoring faculties and demonstrating the Kingdom's power in a way that surpassed any Old Testament prophet (e.g., [Mark 7:32-37](/mark/7-32-37 "Jesus heals a deaf and mute man"), [John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "Jesus heals a man born blind")). Furthermore, the New Testament emphasizes that God's strength is made perfect in weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's strength made perfect in weakness")), a principle perfectly exemplified by Christ's sacrificial life and the empowering of His disciples through the Holy Spirit to carry out His mission ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit")). Through Christ, believers are not only forgiven but also equipped and enabled to fulfill God's purposes, regardless of their human frailties, as He is the ultimate source of all ability and divine enablement, making the "impossible" possible for those who trust in Him ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All things through Christ who strengthens me")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 3:6

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done [it]?

Psalms 146:8

The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

Ezekiel 3:26

And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they [are] a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 3:27

But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they [are] a rebellious house.

Psalms 94:9

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

Isaiah 6:7

And he laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Psalms 51:15

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.