Exodus 4:2

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

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto him, What is that in thine hand {H3027}? And he said {H559}, A rod {H4294}.

ADONAI answered him, "What is that in your hand?" and he said, "A staff."

And the LORD asked him, โ€œWhat is that in your hand?โ€ โ€œA staff,โ€ he replied.

And Jehovah said unto him, What is that in thy hand? And he said, A rod.

Commentary

Exodus 4:2 KJV: "And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod."

Context

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the dialogue between God and Moses at the burning bush. Moses has just raised his primary objection to God's command to go to Pharaoh: that the Israelites would not believe him or God's sending (Exodus 4:1). In response, God doesn't immediately give a grand reassurance but asks a simple, direct question about an ordinary object in Moses's possession. This seemingly mundane inquiry sets the stage for God to perform a series of miraculous signs through Moses, starting with the very item he held.

Key Themes

  • Divine Inquiry and Readiness: God's question, "What is that in thine hand?", is not born of ignorance but is a pedagogical tool. It prompts Moses to acknowledge and offer what he already has, no matter how common it seems. This highlights the principle that God often starts with our present circumstances and resources.
  • God Uses the Ordinary: The "rod" was a standard, unassuming shepherd's staffโ€”a tool of Moses's daily life. This emphasizes a profound biblical truth: God frequently chooses the simple, the common, or the seemingly insignificant things of the world to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
  • Transformation and Empowerment: What begins as a mere shepherd's staff is about to be transformed into an instrument of divine power. This rod will become known as the "rod of God" (Exodus 4:20) and will be central to many of the miraculous events of the Exodus, including the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rod" in this verse is matteh (ืžึทื˜ึถึผื”). This term generally refers to a staff, stick, or branch. While its primary meaning here is a shepherd's implement, it's significant that this same word can also denote a "tribe" or "branch" (as in a tribal staff). This linguistic nuance subtly foreshadows how this ordinary object, once consecrated by God, will become a symbol of divine authority and a means by which Moses will lead the tribes of Israel.

Practical Application

Exodus 4:2 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God Starts with What You Possess: We often feel inadequate for God's call, believing we need more talent, resources, or influence. This verse powerfully reminds us that God frequently begins with what is already in our handsโ€”our existing skills, passions, experiences, or even our humble possessions.
  • Ordinary Objects, Extraordinary Purpose: Just as Moses's common rod was transformed into a vessel for divine power, our everyday lives, talents, and resources can be consecrated and used by God for His glory. He can take what seems insignificant and turn it into something mighty for His kingdom. This aligns with the biblical principle that God often chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to accomplish His will.
  • Availability and Obedience are Key: Moses's simple, honest answer, "A rod," was an act of availability. When God asks, "What is in your hand?", our response should be one of humble offering and obedience, trusting that He will empower and multiply whatever we surrender to Him for His divine purposes.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 4:20

    And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

  • Exodus 4:17

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

  • Leviticus 27:32

    And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

  • Isaiah 11:4

    But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

  • Genesis 30:37

    ยถ And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which [was] in the rods.

  • Psalms 110:2

    The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

  • Micah 7:14

    ยถ Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily [in] the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed [in] Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
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