Exodus 4:23

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.

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}.

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!"'"

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!’”

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.

Exodus 4:23 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of the Exodus, serving as God's direct and solemn ultimatum to Pharaoh through Moses. This verse reveals the divine claim over Israel and foreshadows the devastating judgment that will fall upon Egypt if Pharaoh refuses to obey God's command.

Context

This declaration comes early in the book of Exodus, as God commissions Moses at the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. Before Moses even confronts Pharaoh, God reveals the core of the conflict: Israel is His "firstborn son," and their release is not merely a political negotiation but a divine imperative for them to serve Him. The verse directly precedes Moses' return to Egypt and sets the stage for the series of plagues that will follow Pharaoh's inevitable refusal, culminating in the death of the firstborn.

Key Themes

  • Divine Ownership and Relationship: God refers to Israel as "my son, my firstborn." This signifies a deep, intimate, and preferential relationship, elevating Israel above other nations and emphasizing God's special covenant with them. It underscores that Israel's liberation is not just about freedom, but about their restoration to God's service.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The verse demonstrates God's absolute authority over all nations and rulers, including the mighty Pharaoh. It reveals that God's justice includes severe consequences for defiance against His will. The threat of slaying Pharaoh's firstborn is a direct, reciprocal judgment for Pharaoh's oppression of God's "firstborn" nation.
  • The Purpose of Freedom: The command "that he may serve me" highlights that Israel's freedom from slavery is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater spiritual purpose: to worship and obey their deliverer, the Lord God.
  • Foreshadowing the Tenth Plague: This verse is a direct prophecy of the final and most devastating plague against Egypt, the death of the firstborn, which ultimately breaks Pharaoh's will and leads to the Exodus.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "my son, my firstborn" is beni bekori (בְּנִי בְּכֹרִי). The term "firstborn" (bekor) often carried significant rights and privileges in ancient Near Eastern culture, implying a special status of honor and inheritance. By applying this title to the entire nation of Israel, God expresses their unique position and His deep affection for them among all peoples. The parallelism between "my son, my firstborn" and "thy son, thy firstborn" creates a stark and powerful statement of divine retribution.

Related Scriptures

  • The concept of Israel as God's "firstborn" is echoed in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah 31:9 and Hosea 11:1, reinforcing this special relationship.
  • Pharaoh's hardened heart is a recurring theme throughout the Exodus narrative, explaining his refusal despite mounting evidence of God's power.
  • The ultimate fulfillment of this threat is vividly described in Exodus 12:29-30, when the Lord strikes down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.

Practical Application

Exodus 4:23 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering will and His justice. It teaches us that:

  • God defends His own: Those who are in a covenant relationship with God are precious in His sight, and He will act decisively to protect them from oppression.
  • There are consequences for defiance: Resisting God's commands and His purposes brings severe judgment. Pharaoh's stubbornness led to immense suffering for his people.
  • Freedom is for service: True liberation, whether spiritual or physical, is ultimately for the purpose of serving and worshipping God. Our freedom is not merely for self-indulgence but for fulfilling God's will.

This verse underscores the serious nature of God's demands and the ultimate cost of rejecting His divine authority.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:
← Back