Exodus 4:4

And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Put forth {H7971} thine hand {H3027}, and take {H270} it by the tail {H2180}. And he put forth {H7971} his hand {H3027}, and caught {H2388} it, and it became a rod {H4294} in his hand {H3709}:

Then ADONAI said to Moshe, "Put your hand out and take it by the tail." He reached out with his hand and took hold of it, and it became a staff in his hand.

“Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Put forth thy hand, and take it by the tail: (and he put forth his hand, and laid hold of it, and it became a rod in his hand);

Commentary

Exodus 4:4 is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of Moses's call, demonstrating God's power and Moses's developing obedience. It occurs immediately after the first sign God gives Moses to authenticate his mission to Pharaoh and the Israelites.

Context

In Exodus 4:2-3, God asks Moses what is in his hand, and when Moses casts his staff to the ground, it miraculously transforms into a serpent, causing Moses to flee in fear. This verse, Exodus 4:4, describes God's direct instruction for Moses to confront his fear and pick up the dangerous creature by its tail. Moses's immediate obedience results in the serpent reverting to a staff in his hand, a powerful reversal of the initial miracle. This sign was intended to convince the Israelites that the LORD, the God of their fathers, had appeared to Moses.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Power: This miracle vividly illustrates God's absolute control over creation and His ability to perform supernatural acts, even reversing them at will. It underscores that God is not bound by natural laws.
  • Obedience in the Face of Fear: Moses's act of reaching out to grab a venomous serpent by its tail, despite his initial terror, is a profound act of obedience and trust in God's command. It highlights that true faith often requires stepping outside of our comfort zones.
  • Transformation and Empowerment: The ordinary shepherd's staff, initially a tool of his trade, is transformed into a symbol of divine power and authority. After this event, it becomes known as the "rod of God" (Exodus 4:20), instrumental in performing many miracles throughout the Exodus narrative (Exodus 7:17, 14:16).
  • God's Preparation of His Servants: God uses this experience to prepare Moses for the immense challenges ahead. It teaches Moses that God's presence and power will enable him to do the seemingly impossible.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "serpent" is nachash, which is notably the same term used for the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1). The transformation of this symbol of danger and temptation back into a "rod" (matteh), a symbol of authority and guidance, powerfully conveys God's ultimate dominion over evil and chaos. This reversal signifies that what was once a source of fear can become a tool for God's purposes when His command is obeyed.

Practical Application

Exodus 4:4 offers timeless lessons for believers today. God often asks us to do things that seem illogical, dangerous, or beyond our capabilities. Like Moses, we may experience fear when faced with God's commands. However, this verse encourages us that:

  • Obedience to God's specific instructions, even when they challenge our natural instincts, is crucial. It is through obedience that we experience God's miraculous power at work.
  • God can transform our fears into instruments of His will. What we perceive as a threat or a weakness can become a powerful tool in God's hands when surrendered to Him.
  • Trusting God's word enables us to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Just as Moses picked up the serpent, we are called to act in faith, believing that God will uphold His promises and empower us for His tasks (Philippians 4:13).
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

  • Acts 28:3

    And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

  • Acts 28:6

    Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

  • John 2:5

    His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].

  • Mark 16:18

    They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

  • Psalms 91:13

    Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

  • Luke 10:19

    Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

  • Genesis 22:1

    ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, [here] I [am].
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