Exodus 4:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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!"'"

Berean Standard Bible

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!’”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Exodus 4:23](/exodus/4-23 "The Lord's ultimatum to Pharaoh concerning Israel, His firstborn son") presents God's solemn ultimatum to Pharaoh through Moses: release Israel, God's "firstborn son," to serve Him, or face the devastating judgment of the death of Egypt's own firstborn. This pivotal declaration establishes God's unique claim over Israel, foreshadows the climactic tenth plague, and underscores the divine imperative for Israel's liberation, not merely as freedom, but as a restoration to their rightful service to the Lord.

### CONTEXT
This divine declaration is delivered by God to Moses at the burning bush, prior to Moses' direct confrontation with Pharaoh. As God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, He reveals the core of the impending conflict: Israel is uniquely His "firstborn son," and their release is a non-negotiable divine imperative, not a mere political negotiation. The command, "Let my son go, that he may serve me," sets the stage for the [series of plagues](/exodus/7-14 "The beginning of the plagues against Egypt") that will follow Pharaoh's inevitable refusal, culminating in the ultimate judgment of the [death of the firstborn](/exodus/12-29 "The tenth plague: death of the firstborn"). This verse serves as a prophetic warning, establishing the stakes and the nature of God's justice before the narrative of the Exodus truly unfolds.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Exodus 4:23](/exodus/4-23 "God's warning to Pharaoh regarding Israel") is a concise yet profound statement, packed with theological significance. God's message to Pharaoh, delivered through Moses, is a stark ultimatum that reveals His character, His relationship with Israel, and His sovereign power.

* **"And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me:"** The declaration of Israel as "my son, my firstborn" (Hebrew: *beni bekori*) is central. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the firstborn held a position of preeminence, special rights, and inheritance. By applying this title to the entire nation of Israel, God signifies their unique, intimate, and preferential relationship with Him among all nations. It underscores that Israel's liberation is not just about freedom from oppression, but about their restoration to God's covenant relationship and service. The phrase "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. Their deliverance from Pharaoh's bondage is for the express purpose of worshiping and obeying their true Deliverer, the Lord God. This sets the precedent for all true liberation, which ultimately leads to a life of devotion and service to God.
* **"and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, [even] thy firstborn."** This part of the verse demonstrates God's absolute authority over all nations and rulers, including the mighty Pharaoh. It reveals that God's justice includes severe and reciprocal consequences for defiance against His will. The threat of slaying Pharaoh's firstborn is a direct, proportional judgment for Pharaoh's oppression of God's "firstborn" nation. This is not arbitrary cruelty but a just recompense for Pharaoh's stubbornness and his refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty. This statement serves as a direct prophecy of the final and most devastating plague against Egypt, the [death of the firstborn](/exodus/12-29 "The final plague on Egypt"). The parallelism between "my son, my firstborn" and "thy son, thy firstborn" creates a stark and powerful statement of divine retribution, emphasizing that God will do to Pharaoh what Pharaoh has done to His people, and more. This warning, delivered early in the narrative, frames the subsequent plagues as a series of escalating judgments designed to break Pharaoh's will and demonstrate God's power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Israel's Special Status:** The designation of Israel as God's "firstborn" is a recurring theme, emphasizing their unique covenant relationship and election among the nations ([Jeremiah 31:9](/jeremiah/31-9 "God's love for Ephraim as His firstborn"); [Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "God calling His son out of Egypt")). This status implies both privilege and responsibility.
* **Divine Justice and Retribution:** The principle of *lex talionis* (law of retaliation – "an eye for an eye") is evident here, though in a magnified form. Pharaoh's oppression and enslavement of God's "firstborn" nation is met with the judgment upon his own firstborn, demonstrating God's righteous indignation against injustice and His commitment to defending His people.
* **The Purpose of Redemption:** The Exodus narrative consistently highlights that God delivers His people not for their own sake alone, but so they can enter into a deeper relationship with Him and serve Him. This theme is foundational to understanding salvation, which frees us from sin's bondage to live in obedience and worship.
* **Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart:** This initial warning sets the stage for the recurring theme of Pharaoh's [hardened heart](/exodus/9-12 "Pharaoh's heart hardened by God"), which is presented as both a consequence of his own defiance and a part of God's sovereign plan to demonstrate His power to Egypt and the world.
* **Prophecy and Fulfillment:** The explicit warning in [Exodus 4:23](/exodus/4-23 "God's warning to Pharaoh") finds its dramatic and tragic fulfillment in [Exodus 12:29-30](/exodus/12-29 "The night of the Passover and the death of the firstborn"), underscoring God's faithfulness to His word, both in promise and in judgment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Exodus 4:23](/exodus/4-23 "God's warning to Pharaoh") serves as a profound reminder of God's unwavering will and His righteous justice. It teaches us that God actively defends those in covenant with Him, holding them precious in His sight and acting decisively to protect them from oppression. Furthermore, it underscores that resisting God's commands and His divine purposes inevitably brings severe consequences, as Pharaoh's stubbornness led to immense suffering for his people. Most importantly, this verse reveals that 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 and living in devoted obedience to Him.

### FAQ

**Why does God refer to Israel as "my son, my firstborn"?**

Answer: God's designation of Israel as "my son, my firstborn" signifies their unique and special relationship with Him. In ancient cultures, the firstborn held preeminent status, inheriting special rights and privileges. By applying this title to the entire nation, God emphasizes Israel's unique position as His chosen people, set apart for a special covenant relationship and a priestly role among the nations. It underscores His deep affection and proprietary claim over them, establishing their liberation as a divine family matter.

**Does this verse imply God is vengeful or unjust for threatening to kill Pharaoh's firstborn?**

Answer: This verse reveals God's justice, not arbitrary vengeance. Pharaoh had enslaved God's "firstborn" nation, Israel, and subjected them to brutal oppression, including the murder of their male infants (Exodus 1:22). God's threat of slaying Egypt's firstborn is a direct, reciprocal judgment, a divine "eye for an eye" that demonstrates His righteous indignation against injustice and His commitment to defending His people. It is a just consequence for Pharaoh's defiance and his persistent refusal to acknowledge God's authority and release His people.

**What does "that he may serve me" mean for us today?**

Answer: The phrase "that he may serve me" highlights that true liberation, whether from physical bondage or the spiritual bondage of sin, is not an end in itself but a means to a greater purpose: to worship, obey, and live in service to God. For believers today, this means that our salvation in Christ frees us from the dominion of sin so that we can live lives devoted to God's will, glorifying Him through our actions, words, and worship, rather than pursuing self-serving desires.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Exodus 4:23](/exodus/4-23 "God's warning to Pharaoh regarding Israel") finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The concept of Israel as God's "firstborn son" ultimately points to Jesus Christ as the true and ultimate [Firstborn](/colossians/1-15 "Christ as the firstborn of all creation"; /hebrews/1-6 "Christ as God's firstborn brought into the world") of all creation, the unique Son of God. The divine call for God's "son" to come out of Egypt, as echoed in [Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "God calling His son out of Egypt"), is directly applied to Jesus in [Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Jesus' return from Egypt fulfilling prophecy"), signifying His identity as the ultimate Israel.

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.