Exodus 6:12

Translation
King James Version
And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
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KJV (with Strong's)
And Moses H4872 spake H1696 before H6440 the LORD H3068, saying H559, Behold, the children H1121 of Israel H3478 have not hearkened H8085 unto me; how then shall Pharaoh H6547 hear H8085 me H589, who am of uncircumcised H6189 lips H8193?
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Complete Jewish Bible
Moshe said to ADONAI, "Look, the people of Isra'el haven't listened to me; so how will Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?"
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Berean Standard Bible
But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”
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American Standard Version
And Moses spake before Jehovah, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
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World English Bible Messianic
Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the children of Israel haven’t listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, who am of uncircumcised lips?”
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Geneva Bible (1599)
But Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Beholde, the children of Israel hearken not vnto me, howe then shall Pharaoh heare mee, which am of vncircumcised lippes?
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Young's Literal Translation
and Moses speaketh before Jehovah, saying, `Lo, the sons of Israel have not hearkened unto me, and how doth Pharaoh hear me, and I of uncircumcised lips?'
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See also
Exodus 4:10Exodus 6:30Jeremiah 1:6Jeremiah 6:10Leviticus 26:41Exodus 6:9Acts 7:51
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The Kingdom of Egypt in the Time of Moses
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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Exodus 6:12 encapsulates Moses's profound struggle with self-doubt and perceived inadequacy, voiced directly to the LORD. Following the Israelites' failure to heed his divine message due to their severe oppression, Moses questions his ability to persuade the formidable Pharaoh. His poignant lament, "who [am] of uncircumcised lips?", reveals a deep-seated conviction that his speech impediment or lack of eloquence renders him unfit for the monumental task of leading God's people out of bondage and confronting the most powerful ruler of his time. This verse highlights the tension between human limitation and divine commission.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse immediately follows God's powerful reaffirmation of His covenant name, Yahweh, and His unwavering promise to deliver Israel from Egyptian slavery, a declaration detailed in Exodus 6:1-8. Despite this majestic and comprehensive divine assurance, Moses had just attempted to convey God's message to the Israelites, only to be met with unresponsive hearts, as they "hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage" (Exodus 6:9). This immediate and disheartening failure to gain his own people's attention, coupled with the immense power wielded by Pharaoh, triggers Moses's renewed expression of doubt and perceived speech impediment, echoing his initial reluctance and concerns voiced at the burning bush in Exodus 4:10. The verse thus marks a critical moment of human frailty in the face of overwhelming divine mandate.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Egypt was a dominant world power, with its Pharaoh considered a divine ruler, an embodiment of the gods. To confront such a figure, especially on behalf of a slave population, was an act of immense audacity, seemingly impossible from a human perspective. The concept of "uncircumcised lips" draws from Israelite covenantal understanding, where physical circumcision was a sign of purity, readiness, and belonging to God's covenant people. Metaphorically, "uncircumcised" could signify something blocked, impure, or unprepared. In a culture that valued eloquence and authoritative speech, a perceived speech impediment would be a significant barrier for a leader, particularly one tasked with speaking truth to power. Moses's lament reflects not just a personal insecurity but also a cultural understanding of what made a speaker effective.
  • Key Themes: Exodus 6:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of Divine Calling and Human Inadequacy, illustrating how God often chooses and empowers seemingly unqualified individuals to accomplish His purposes, thereby magnifying His own power rather than human ability. It also highlights the Sovereignty of God over human resistance and political power, as God's plan for deliverance remains steadfast despite both the Israelites' initial unresponsiveness and Pharaoh's impending obstinacy. Furthermore, Moses's persistent struggle with doubt, even after profound divine encounters, emphasizes the theme of God's Patience and Perseverance with His Servants, revealing a God who repeatedly reassures and equips His chosen instruments, rather than abandoning them.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • spake (Hebrew, dâbar', H1696): From a primitive root meaning "to arrange," but primarily used figuratively to "speak." It encompasses a wide range of verbal actions, including to command, declare, tell, teach, and utter. In this context, it signifies Moses's act of communicating, whether to the LORD or to the people, highlighting the very function he feels inadequate to perform.
  • hearkened (Hebrew, shâmaʻ', H8085): A primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, obedience, or understanding. When used causatively, it means to tell. Here, it describes the Israelites' failure to listen and obey Moses's message, directly contrasting with the desired outcome of Pharaoh's hearing. Moses's concern is that if his own people, who should be receptive, did not "hearken," how could Pharaoh, who is hostile, possibly "hear" him?
  • uncircumcised (Hebrew, ʻârêl', H6189): From a root meaning "exposed" or "projecting loose." Technically, it refers to one who is physically uncircumcised. However, it is used metaphorically in the Old Testament to describe something blocked, impure, or unprepared. When applied to lips, as here, it powerfully conveys the idea of a speech impediment, a lack of fluency or clarity, or an inability to speak effectively and persuasively for God.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And Moses spake before the LORD, saying,": This clause sets the scene, emphasizing that Moses is directly addressing God. It is not a private thought but an open complaint or plea, highlighting the intimate and often challenging dialogue between God and His chosen servant. Moses, despite his previous encounters with God, continues to bring his human limitations and frustrations before the divine.
  • "Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me;": Moses presents his immediate and disheartening evidence. The very people he is called to deliver, those who should be most receptive to a message of hope, have failed to listen or respond to him. This failure, born of their "anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage" (Exodus 6:9), becomes Moses's primary justification for his doubt. He perceives his initial mission to his own people as a failure, undermining his confidence.
  • "how then shall Pharaoh hear me,": This is a rhetorical question that expresses Moses's profound skepticism and despair. If his own suffering people, who have every reason to listen, ignored him, how much less likely is it that the powerful and oppressive Pharaoh, who has no vested interest in hearing a demand for freedom, will pay him any mind? It highlights the seemingly insurmountable human obstacle.
  • "who [am] of uncircumcised lips?": This is the core of Moses's self-diagnosis and perceived inadequacy. The phrase is a powerful metaphor for a speech impediment or a lack of eloquence and persuasive ability. Moses believes his speech is "blocked" or "unready" for the profound task of speaking on God's behalf to such a formidable ruler. It signifies a deep personal conviction of his unfitness for the divine mission.

Literary Devices

The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Metaphor, specifically in the phrase "uncircumcised lips." This metaphor extends the physical concept of circumcision, a sign of covenant and readiness, to the realm of speech. Just as an uncircumcised heart or ear implies spiritual unresponsiveness or impurity, "uncircumcised lips" metaphorically signifies a speech impediment, a lack of fluency, or an inability to communicate effectively and persuasively. This vivid imagery conveys Moses's deep-seated feeling of inadequacy. Additionally, Moses's question, "how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who [am] of uncircumcised lips?", functions as a Rhetorical Question. It is not asked to elicit an answer from God, but rather to express Moses's profound despair, doubt, and the perceived impossibility of his task from a human perspective. This rhetorical device underscores the magnitude of the challenge and Moses's personal struggle.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Moses's lament in Exodus 6:12 stands as a poignant testament to the tension between divine commission and human limitation. It powerfully illustrates that God often calls individuals who feel profoundly unqualified, not despite their weaknesses, but often so that His power may be made perfect in them. This narrative underscores the biblical truth that God's plans are not contingent upon human eloquence or strength, but upon His own sovereign will and ability to work through imperfect vessels. Moses's persistent doubt, even after direct encounters with the Almighty, highlights the journey of faith, where trust in God's enablement must overcome personal insecurities and daunting external circumstances.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Moses's lament in Exodus 6:12 offers profound encouragement for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder that our perceived weaknesses, limitations, or even past failures do not disqualify us from God's service. On the contrary, they can become the very platforms upon which God's strength and glory are most clearly displayed. This verse calls us to trust implicitly in God's ability to equip and empower us, even when our own efforts seem to fall short or when those we seek to influence do not immediately respond. It encourages perseverance in the face of daunting tasks, knowing that our sufficiency comes from God, not from ourselves. Just as God persisted with Moses despite his "uncircumcised lips," He continues to work through our imperfections, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in weakness. Our role is not to be perfectly eloquent or capable, but to be obedient and available, allowing God to accomplish His purposes through us.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "uncircumcised lips" or perceived inadequacies do you bring before the Lord in your own life or ministry?
  • How does Moses's struggle encourage you when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles or unresponsiveness from others?
  • In what ways can your weaknesses become opportunities for God's strength to be more clearly revealed through you?

FAQ

What does "uncircumcised lips" specifically mean in this context?

Answer: In Exodus 6:12, "uncircumcised lips" is a potent metaphorical expression. It signifies Moses's deep-seated conviction that he possesses a speech impediment, a lack of eloquence, or an inability to speak clearly, persuasively, and effectively. Just as physical circumcision marked a person as pure and ready for covenant relationship, "uncircumcised" in a metaphorical sense implies something is blocked, impure, or unprepared. Moses felt his speech was inadequate, "blocked," or "unready" for the profound and daunting task of communicating God's message to the powerful Pharaoh and the disheartened Israelites.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Moses's "uncircumcised lips" and his reliance on God's enablement perfectly foreshadow the ultimate and authoritative voice of Jesus Christ. While Moses struggled with human inadequacy and a perceived speech impediment, Christ, the Word made flesh, spoke with unparalleled authority and clarity, perfectly articulating the will and nature of God. He did not speak as the scribes, but as one having authority. Furthermore, Moses's experience of God working through his weakness points to the New Covenant reality where believers, though inherently imperfect and limited, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel. Our natural "uncircumcised lips"—our human limitations in eloquence or ability—become instruments of divine truth, as the Spirit enables us to speak God's message with power, as seen in the outpouring at Pentecost where disciples spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Christ's finished work ensures that our effectiveness in ministry is not based on our own human capabilities but on the indwelling power of the Spirit working through us.

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Commentary on Exodus 6 verses 10–13

Here, I. God sends Moses the second time to Pharaoh (Exo 6:11) upon the same errand as before, to command him, at his peril, that he let the children of Israel go. Note, God repeats his precepts before he begins his punishments. Those that have often been called in vain to leave their sins must yet be called again and again, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear, Eze 3:11. God is said to hew sinners by his prophets (Hos 6:5), which denotes the repetition of the strokes. How often would I have gathered you?

II. Moses makes objections, as one discouraged, and willing to give up the cause, Exo 6:12. He pleads, 1. The unlikelihood of Pharaoh's hearing: "Behold the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; they give no heed, no credit, to what I have said; how then can I expect that Pharaoh should hear me? If the anguish of their spirit makes them deaf to that which would compose and comfort them, much more will the anger of his spirit, his pride and insolence, make him deaf to that which will but exasperate and provoke him." If God's professing people hear not his messengers, how can it be thought that his professed enemy should? Note, The frowardness and untractableness of those that are called Christians greatly discourage ministers, and make them ready to despair of success in dealing with those that are atheistical and profane. We would be instrumental to unite Israelites, to refine and purify them, to comfort and pacify them; but, if they hearken not to us, how shall we prevail with those in whom we cannot pretend to such an interest? But with God all things are possible. 2. He pleads the unreadiness and infirmity of his own speaking: I am of uncircumcised lips; it is repeated, Exo 6:30. He was conscious to himself that he had not the gift of utterance, had no command of language; his talent did not lie that way. To this objection God had given a sufficient answer before, and therefore he ought not to have insisted upon it, for the sufficiency of grace can supply the defects of nature at any time. Note, Though our infirmities ought to humble us, yet they ought not to discourage us from doing our best in any service we have to do for God. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

III. God again joins Aaron in commission with Moses, and puts an end to the dispute by interposing his own authority, and giving them both a solemn charge, upon their allegiance to their great Lord, to execute it with all possible expedition and fidelity. When Moses repeats his baffled arguments, he shall be argued with no longer, but God gives him a charge, and Aaron with him, both to the children of Israel and to Pharaoh, Exo 6:13. Note, God's authority is sufficient to answer all objections, and binds us to obedience, without murmuring or disputing, Phi 2:14. Moses himself has need to be charged, and so has Timothy, Ti1 6:13; Ti2 4:1.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–13. Public domain.
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Richard ChallonerAD 1781
Uncircumcised lips: So he calls the defect he had in his words, or utterance.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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