Exodus 4:17

KJV

And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt take {H3947} this rod {H4294} in thine hand {H3027}, wherewith thou shalt do {H6213} signs {H226}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now take this staff in your hand, because you need it to perform the signs."

Berean Standard Bible

But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it.”

American Standard Version

And thou shalt take in thy hand this rod, wherewith thou shalt do the signs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 4:17 delivers a crucial divine instruction to Moses, commissioning him to wield his ordinary shepherd's rod as the conduit for performing miraculous "signs." This verse marks a profound transformation of a mundane object into a sacred instrument, destined to authenticate Moses' divine mandate before the Israelites and Pharaoh, thereby demonstrating God's sovereign power and His active intervention in human history to deliver His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the pivotal burning bush narrative, following God's initial call to Moses to lead Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Moses, overwhelmed by the daunting task and his own perceived inadequacies, expresses profound doubt regarding his credibility with the Israelites and Pharaoh, as seen in his question, "But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice" [Exodus 4:1](/exodus/4-1 "Moses' Doubt and God's Response"). In response to Moses' skepticism, God graciously provides a series of three miraculous signs: the rod turning into a serpent and back [Exodus 4:2-5](/exodus/4-2-5 "The Rod Becomes a Serpent"), Moses' hand becoming leprous and then healed [Exodus 4:6-7](/exodus/4-6-7 "The Hand Becomes Leprous"), and water from the Nile turning to blood [Exodus 4:9](/exodus/4-9 "Water Turns to Blood"). Exodus 4:17 serves as the culminating directive regarding the rod, designating it as the primary instrument through which Moses will perform all subsequent, larger-scale "signs" that will validate his mission and God's power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a shepherd's staff was an indispensable tool, used for guiding, protecting, and counting sheep. It was a symbol of the shepherd's authority and care over his flock. By choosing Moses' personal staff, God elevates an everyday object, demonstrating that His power is not limited to grand, pre-made instruments but can imbue the ordinary with divine significance. Furthermore, the Egyptian context was rife with magic and sorcery, often employed by pharaohs and their magicians to assert power. God's use of the rod to perform genuine "signs" (miracles) would directly challenge and ultimately overcome the deceptive acts of Egyptian magic, proving the supremacy of Yahweh over all false gods and human power, as vividly depicted in the later [plague narratives](/exodus/7-14 "The Plagues upon Egypt").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 4:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Commission and Authentication**, as God provides irrefutable proof of Moses' calling to both the Israelites and Pharaoh. Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, demonstrating His absolute control over creation and His ability to intervene directly in human affairs through seemingly simple means. The rod becomes a tangible representation of God's active presence and power. Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Empowerment of the Ordinary**, showing that God often chooses to work through common individuals and objects to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him, not to the instrument or the person. This prepares the reader for the subsequent mighty acts of deliverance and judgment that will unfold throughout [the Exodus narrative](/exodus/1-1-40-38 "The Book of Exodus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** This verb signifies "to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, receive." In this context, it implies an active appropriation and acceptance by Moses. It's not merely a passive possession of the rod, but an intentional act of receiving it as an instrument for divine purpose, indicating Moses' compliance and readiness to wield it under God's command.
* **Rod (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** This word refers to "a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life)." The term highlights the rod's ordinary function as a shepherd's staff, a common tool for guidance and support. However, its designation here transforms it from a mundane object into an extension of divine authority, capable of both judgment and provision, embodying the power of the One who commands its use.
* **Signs (Hebrew, _ʼôwth'_):** Derived from a root suggesting "appearing," this noun denotes "a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.; mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token." These "signs" are not mere magic tricks but divinely ordained demonstrations of power that serve as undeniable evidence. They are intended to convey a specific message, authenticate a divine messenger, or confirm a divine act, proving God's presence, power, and the truth of His word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand":** This clause emphasizes Moses' direct and personal involvement in the divine commission. The rod is not merely given to him, but he is commanded to "take" it—an active verb signifying ownership, responsibility, and the intention to use it. The phrase "in thine hand" highlights the intimate connection between Moses, the instrument, and the power that will flow through it. It signifies that while the power is God's, the physical action and representation will be through Moses' agency, making him the visible conduit of God's miraculous intervention. This ordinary shepherd's staff, now in the hand of God's chosen servant, is consecrated for extraordinary purposes.
* **"wherewith thou shalt do signs":** This second clause reveals the purpose and function of the rod. The word "wherewith" explicitly links the rod to the performance of "signs," indicating it is the designated instrument for God's miraculous works. These "signs" are not random displays of power but purposeful acts intended to authenticate Moses' message and God's presence. They serve to convince both the skeptical Israelites of God's faithfulness and the stubborn Pharaoh of God's supremacy, ultimately paving the way for Israel's liberation. The rod, therefore, becomes a tangible symbol of God's active, intervening power in the world.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, as Moses' ordinary shepherd's rod transforms into a potent symbol of divine power and authority. It represents God's ability to imbue the mundane with sacred purpose and to work through seemingly insignificant means. **Foreshadowing** is also powerfully present; this initial designation of the rod hints at its crucial role in the mighty acts to come, including the plagues upon Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, where it will be the instrument of both judgment and deliverance. Furthermore, the passage demonstrates **Divine Mandate**, as the direct command from God to Moses establishes his authority and confirms his divine commission. The rod, therefore, becomes a tangible extension of God's own will and power, making the invisible God's presence visible through its actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 4:17 establishes a foundational principle of divine operation: God often chooses to empower ordinary individuals and objects to accomplish His extraordinary will, demonstrating that true power resides solely in Him. This verse sets the stage for a series of miraculous interventions that will underscore God's sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. The rod, initially a tool of a shepherd, becomes "the rod of God" [Exodus 4:20](/exodus/4-20 "The rod is called 'the rod of God'"), signifying its sacred status and its role as an extension of divine authority.

* [Exodus 7:19](/exodus/7-19 "The rod used to turn water to blood")
* [Exodus 14:16](/exodus/14-16 "Moses uses the rod to part the Red Sea")
* [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Moses strikes the rock for water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 4:17 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as God chose Moses' ordinary shepherd's rod, He often chooses to work through our seemingly ordinary lives, talents, resources, and positions. This verse challenges us to consider what "rod" God has placed in our hands—be it our profession, our relationships, our spiritual gifts, or our material possessions—and how we might yield it to His service. Our effectiveness in God's kingdom is not dependent on our inherent greatness or extraordinary abilities, but on our willingness to be available and on God's power working through us. This passage encourages us to trust in God's empowerment, recognizing that He can transform the mundane into the miraculous when consecrated to His purposes. It invites us to surrender our "rods" to the Divine Hand, allowing Him to use them for His glory, to perform "signs" of His presence and power in a world that desperately needs to see them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "rod"—what ordinary object, talent, or resource—has God placed in my hand that He might want to use for His extraordinary purposes?**
* **In what areas of my life do I feel inadequate, and how can I trust God to work powerfully through my perceived weaknesses, just as He did with Moses' rod?**
* **How can I be more intentional about yielding my daily life and possessions to God's service, allowing Him to perform "signs" of His presence through me?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the rod being an "ordinary" object?**

Answer:The rod's ordinary nature is profoundly significant because it highlights God's ability to use any instrument, no matter how humble or common, to display His extraordinary power. It ensures that the focus remains entirely on God as the source of the miraculous, rather than on any inherent magical properties of the object itself. This principle serves as a powerful encouragement to believers, demonstrating that God can use anyone, regardless of their perceived limitations or lack of special qualifications, to accomplish His divine will. It underscores that God's power is perfected in weakness, and His glory is magnified through the unexpected.

**What does the Hebrew word for "signs" (`אֹתוֹת`, _'otot'_) imply?**

Answer:The Hebrew term *'otot* (H226) implies much more than a mere magical trick or wonder. It refers to a divinely ordained token, wonder, or miracle that serves as undeniable evidence or a signal. These "signs" were meant to convey a specific message, confirm a divine truth, or authenticate a divine messenger. In the context of Exodus, they proved God's active presence, His supreme power over all creation and false gods, and the authenticity of His messenger, Moses, to both the skeptical Israelites and the resistant Egyptians. They were purposeful demonstrations of God's will and power in history.

**Why did God need to provide Moses with signs?**

Answer:God provided Moses with signs for several crucial reasons. Primarily, it was to overcome Moses' own deep-seated doubts and insecurities about his calling and his ability to convince the Israelites and Pharaoh. The signs served as concrete, irrefutable evidence that Moses was indeed sent by the Almighty God, not acting on his own accord. For the Israelites, these signs were meant to build their faith and assure them that God was truly intervening for their deliverance. For Pharaoh, the signs were a demonstration of Yahweh's unparalleled power, intended to compel him to release God's people and to reveal God's glory to all of Egypt.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 4:17, with its emphasis on a divinely empowered instrument performing "signs," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While Moses' rod was an external tool through which God's power flowed, Christ Himself is the very embodiment of God's power, authority, and presence among humanity. He is the ultimate "sign" of God's kingdom, as prophesied in [Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "Immanuel, God with Us"). His miracles—healing the sick, casting out demons, calming storms, and raising the dead—were not performed through an external object but flowed directly from His inherent divine nature and authority as the Son of God [John 2:11](/john/2-11 "Jesus' first sign at Cana"). Just as the rod authenticated Moses' mission, Christ's works authenticated His identity as the promised Messiah and the revelation of God's will [John 10:38](/john/10-38 "Believe the works"). The rod pointed to God's power to deliver Israel from physical bondage; Christ's life, death, and resurrection demonstrated His ultimate power to deliver humanity from the bondage of sin and death, establishing His eternal kingdom and fulfilling all the promises of God's covenant [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ, the perfect sacrifice"). He is the true "Rod of God," through whom all divine power, redemption, and revelation are perfectly manifested [Revelation 19:15](/rev/19-15 "Christ rules with a rod of iron").

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

Exodus 4:2

And the LORD said unto him, What [is] that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Exodus 7:9

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast [it] before Pharaoh, [and] it shall become a serpent.

Exodus 7:20

And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that [were] in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that [were] in the river were turned to blood.