Exodus 4:7

And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his [other] flesh.

And he said {H559}, Put {H7725} thine hand {H3027} into thy bosom {H2436} again {H7725}. And he put {H7725} his hand {H3027} into his bosom {H2436} again {H7725}; and plucked {H3318} it out of his bosom {H2436}, and, behold, it was turned again {H7725} as his other flesh {H1320}.

Then God said, "Now put your hand back in your coat." He put his hand back in his coat; and when he took it out, it was as healthy as the rest of his body.

β€œPut your hand back inside your cloak,” said the LORD. So Moses put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his skin.

And he said, Put thy hand into thy bosom again. (And he put his hand into his bosom again; and when he took it out of his bosom, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.)

Commentary

Context of Exodus 4:7

Exodus 4:7 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Moses' divine calling at the burning bush. After Moses expresses his reluctance and doubt that the Israelites would believe his commission from God (Exodus 4:1), the Lord provides three miraculous signs to authenticate His message. The first sign involved Moses' staff turning into a serpent and back again (Exodus 4:3). The second sign, which culminates in this verse, began in Exodus 4:6, where Moses' hand was instructed to be put into his bosom and emerged "leprous as snow." Verse 7 then describes the immediate and complete reversal of this condition, demonstrating God's absolute control over creation and His ability to inflict and heal. This sign was intended to build Moses' confidence and provide undeniable proof of his divine commission to the elders of Israel and, ultimately, to Pharaoh.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Power and Sovereignty: This verse powerfully illustrates God's unchallengeable authority over physical conditions, sickness, and health. He is the ultimate source of life and can instantly alter it, showing His complete control over all creation.
  • Confirmation of God's Word: The miraculous restoration of Moses' hand served as a tangible, irrefutable sign, validating God's message and Moses' role as His chosen messenger. These signs were crucial for the Israelites to believe that the Lord had indeed appeared to Moses and was concerned for them (Exodus 4:31).
  • Restoration and Healing: Beyond simply proving a point, the healing of Moses' hand foreshadows God's redemptive nature. He is a God who restores what is broken and brings healing, not just physically but spiritually. This concept resonates throughout scripture, pointing to God's ultimate desire for the restoration of humanity and creation.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "turned again as his [other] flesh" emphasizes the completeness and instantaneousness of the healing. The Hebrew word for "bosom" (Χ—Φ΅Χ™Χ§, cheiq) refers to the fold of one's garment against the chest, a common place to carry small items or conceal something. The act of putting the hand into the bosom and drawing it out twice, once diseased and once restored, highlights the direct and immediate divine intervention. There is no process of recovery; it is an instantaneous transformation, leaving no room for natural explanation and underscoring the miraculous nature of the event.

Practical Application

Exodus 4:7 offers timeless insights for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Limitless Power: This verse reminds us that God is fully capable of reversing seemingly impossible situations. When faced with overwhelming challenges, sickness, or "incurable" problems, we are encouraged to remember that God's power is limitless, and He can bring about complete restoration.
  • God Confirms His Calling: While we may not experience such dramatic physical signs today, God continues to confirm His word and presence through His Holy Spirit, answered prayer, and the transformative power of the Gospel. He equips those He calls.
  • Hope for Healing and Renewal: Just as Moses' hand was restored to perfect health, this verse speaks to God's desire to heal and restore broken lives, relationships, and spirits. It offers profound hope for renewal in all aspects of life, pointing to God as the ultimate Healer and Restorer.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 5:14

    Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

  • Deuteronomy 32:39

    ΒΆ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

  • Matthew 8:3

    And Jesus put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

  • Numbers 12:13

    And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.

  • Numbers 12:15

    And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in [again].
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