Exodus 4:3

And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

And he said {H559}, Cast {H7993} it on the ground {H776}. And he cast {H7993} it on the ground {H776}, and it became a serpent {H5175}; and Moses {H4872} fled {H5127} from before {H6440} it.

He said, "Throw it on the ground!" and he threw it on the ground. It turned into a snake, and Moshe recoiled from it.

“Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it.

And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

Commentary

Exodus 4:3 recounts a pivotal moment in the divine commissioning of Moses. After Moses expresses doubt about the Israelites believing his message, God provides him with a series of miraculous signs to authenticate his calling. This verse describes the first of these signs, involving Moses' ordinary shepherd's staff.

Context

This verse is situated within God's encounter with Moses at the burning bush. Moses is hesitant and full of questions about his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, as seen in Exodus 4:1 where he asks, "But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice." In response, God provides immediate, tangible proof of His power and Moses' divine appointment, beginning with the transformation of his staff.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Authority: The instantaneous transformation of a simple wooden staff into a living, fearsome serpent demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation. This is not magic, but a clear display of supernatural power designed to instill awe and belief. It underscores God's ability to accomplish His purposes, even through seemingly impossible means.
  • Authentication of God's Messenger: The miracle serves as irrefutable proof to Moses himself, and later to the elders of Israel and Pharaoh, that Moses is indeed sent by the Almighty God. It validates his message and mission, providing credibility to his claims.
  • Human Fear and Obedience: Moses' immediate reaction—fleeing from the serpent—highlights his natural human fear in the face of the overwhelming divine power. Despite this fear, he had just obeyed God's command to cast the staff down, demonstrating a nascent obedience that would be crucial for his future leadership.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "serpent" used here is nachash (נָחָשׁ), a general term for a snake. While it's the same word used for the serpent in the Garden of Eden, the context in Exodus focuses purely on the demonstration of God's power and the miraculous transformation of an inanimate object into a living creature, rather than temptation or deception. The suddenness and unexpected nature of this change are key to its impact.

Related Scriptures

  • The staff later becomes a significant symbol of God's power in Moses' hands, often referred to as "the rod of God" or "the rod of Aaron."
  • This sign is echoed later when Aaron's rod turns into a serpent before Pharaoh, consuming the serpents of the Egyptian magicians, further asserting God's supreme power over all other forces.
  • The concept of God using signs to confirm His word is seen throughout Scripture, as when Jesus performed miracles to confirm His identity and message (John 20:30).

Practical Application

This powerful display of divine authority teaches us several lessons:

  • God uses ordinary instruments for extraordinary purposes: Just as God transformed Moses' humble shepherd's staff, He often chooses and empowers ordinary people and resources to accomplish His incredible plans. Our perceived inadequacies are no barrier to God's work.
  • Overcoming fear through faith: Moses' natural fear is relatable. Yet, God does not abandon him but continues to give instructions and reassurance. This encourages believers to trust in God's presence and power even when faced with daunting or fearful circumstances, stepping out in faith despite apprehension.
  • Divine authentication for God's call: When God calls individuals to a task, He also provides the necessary equipping and authentication. While we may not experience dramatic signs like Moses, God's Spirit and the fruit of obedience confirm His leading in our lives, empowering us to fulfill our unique purpose.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 7:10

    And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

  • Exodus 7:15

    Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

  • Exodus 4:17

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

  • Amos 5:19

    As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
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