Exodus 7:1

KJV

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, See {H7200}, I have made {H5414} thee a god {H430} to Pharaoh {H6547}: and Aaron {H175} thy brother {H251} shall be thy prophet {H5030}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But ADONAI said to Moshe, "I have put you in the place of God to Pharaoh, and Aharon your brother will be your prophet.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Moses, See, I have made thee as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 7:1 marks a profound turning point in the unfolding drama of the Israelite exodus, as the LORD decisively empowers Moses for the escalating confrontation with Pharaoh. This pivotal verse declares Moses' elevated status as God's direct and authoritative representative to Pharaoh, simultaneously reaffirming Aaron's crucial role as Moses' designated spokesman. This divine declaration sets the stage for an unparalleled clash between the sovereign God of Israel and the perceived divinity of the Egyptian king and the entire pantheon of Egyptian deities, fundamentally shifting the dynamics of the impending conflict.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a period of intense dialogue and divine reassurance in [Exodus 3-6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3-6 - Moses' Call and Initial Confrontation"). Moses, initially reluctant and plagued by self-doubt regarding his speaking ability and leadership capacity ([Exodus 4:10](/exodus/4-10 "Moses' Reluctance")), has been repeatedly assured of God's presence and power. The narrative has progressed through Moses and Aaron's initial, unsuccessful encounter with Pharaoh, which only resulted in increased oppression for the Israelites ([Exodus 5](/exodus/5 "Exodus 5 - Pharaoh Increases Israel's Burden")). God then reiterated His covenant promises and His intention to deliver Israel ([Exodus 6](/exodus/6 "Exodus 6 - God Renews His Promise")). Exodus 7:1 thus serves as God's final, definitive commissioning of Moses, elevating his authority to an unprecedented level just before the commencement of the plagues, signaling a new, more forceful phase of divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society where the Pharaoh was not merely a ruler but was considered a divine or semi-divine being, often identified with the god Horus and seen as the son of Ra. His authority was absolute, stemming from his perceived sacred status. The Egyptian pantheon was vast, with gods associated with every aspect of life, from the Nile (Hapi) to creation (Ptah, Ra) and magic (Heka). The impending confrontation was not just political but profoundly theological, a direct challenge to the very foundation of Egyptian cosmology and Pharaoh's legitimacy. By making Moses "a god to Pharaoh," the LORD directly undermined Pharaoh's divine claims and set the stage for a demonstration of power that would expose the impotence of Egypt's gods and their human representative.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 7:1 is central to several overarching themes in Exodus. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute control over all earthly powers, including the mightiest empire of the ancient world and its supposedly divine ruler. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Confrontation with Idolatry**, as the LORD prepares to dismantle the false worship systems of Egypt through a series of judgments that target specific Egyptian deities, as later detailed in [Exodus 12:12](/exodus/12-12 "Judgment on Egypt's Gods"). Thirdly, it exemplifies **God's Empowerment of His Servants**, showing how God equips and elevates seemingly ordinary individuals like Moses to accomplish extraordinary divine purposes, overcoming their perceived weaknesses. Finally, it emphasizes the **Importance of Divine Communication**, establishing a clear chain of authority from God to Moses, and from Moses to Aaron, ensuring God's message is delivered with undeniable clarity and power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, often rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It signifies the self-existent, eternal God, the one true God who is faithful to His promises. In this context, it underscores that the authority being delegated to Moses originates from the supreme, sovereign deity, not from any lesser power. It contrasts sharply with the numerous, limited gods of Egypt.
* **god (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun, while most often referring to the singular supreme God, can also denote divine beings (like angels), powerful rulers, judges, or even a superlative (meaning "very great" or "mighty"). Here, applied to Moses, it does not imply that Moses literally became divine. Instead, it signifies that Moses would stand before Pharaoh as God's direct, authorized representative, invested with such overwhelming divine authority and power that he would function "as God" in Pharaoh's eyes, speaking with God's voice and wielding God's power. This elevates Moses' status far above any ordinary ambassador.
* **prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bubble up" or "to announce," a _nâbîyʼ_ is one who speaks for another, specifically one who speaks for God, an inspired messenger. In this verse, Aaron is designated as Moses' prophet, meaning he will be Moses' spokesman, just as Moses is God's spokesman. This arrangement addresses Moses' earlier concerns about his speech and establishes a clear hierarchy of communication: God speaks to Moses, and Moses, acting with divine authority, speaks through Aaron to Pharaoh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Moses, See":** This opening phrase establishes the divine origin and imperative nature of the declaration. The "LORD" (Yahweh) is the speaker, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel and His supreme authority. The command "See" (or "Behold") draws Moses' attention to a profound and significant truth about his newly appointed role, signaling a revelation of his elevated status and the gravity of the mission ahead. It is a divine directive, not a suggestion.
* **"I have made thee a god to Pharaoh":** This is the core declaration of the verse. The verb "made" (Hebrew, _nâthan'_) implies a divine appointment or designation. Moses is not inherently divine, but God has _appointed_ him to function in a divine capacity _relative to Pharaoh_. This means Moses will confront Pharaoh not as a mere human leader of slaves, but as the direct, powerful agent of the one true God. He will embody God's authority, speak God's words, and perform God's mighty acts, thereby challenging Pharaoh's own perceived divinity and the power of Egypt's gods. This is a statement of delegated, supreme authority.
* **"and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet":** This clause defines Aaron's complementary but crucial role. Just as a prophet speaks for God, Aaron is appointed to speak for Moses. This arrangement, previously hinted at in [Exodus 4:16](/exodus/4-16 "Moses as God to Aaron"), solidifies the divine communication strategy. Aaron, with his eloquence, will articulate the messages that Moses, empowered by God, receives. This partnership ensures that God's message, delivered through Moses' divine authority, is clearly and powerfully conveyed to Pharaoh and his court, overcoming Moses' self-professed speech difficulties.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Metaphor** is prominently used in the declaration, "I have made thee a god to Pharaoh." Moses is not literally transformed into a deity, but he is metaphorically endowed with divine authority and power in his confrontation with Pharaoh. This **Hyperbole** emphasizes the extraordinary nature of his delegated power, designed to impress and intimidate the Egyptian king who considered himself divine. The phrase also functions as **Divine Commission**, formally appointing Moses to a unique and powerful role. Furthermore, the verse sets up a clear **Juxtaposition** between Moses, empowered by the one true God, and Pharaoh, who represents the false gods of Egypt, thereby **Foreshadowing** the ultimate cosmic battle between Yahweh and the Egyptian pantheon that will unfold through the plagues. The **Parallelism** between "god to Pharaoh" and "prophet" highlights the complementary roles of Moses and Aaron, establishing a clear chain of divine communication and authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 7:1 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and His strategic intervention in human history. It reveals that no earthly power, no matter how formidable or divinely self-proclaimed, can stand against the will of the Almighty. God empowers His chosen servants, transforming their weaknesses into conduits for His strength, demonstrating that His purposes will be accomplished regardless of human limitations or opposition. This verse also sets the stage for a direct theological confrontation, where the one true God systematically dismantles the idolatrous system of Egypt, asserting His unique identity and power.

* [Psalm 82:6-7](/psalms/82-6-7 "God's Judgment on Earthly Rulers")
* [Jeremiah 1:9-10](/jeremiah/1-9-10 "Jeremiah's Prophetic Commission")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "God's Power Perfected in Weakness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 7:1 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that God's call always comes with His empowerment. Just as Moses, despite his profound sense of inadequacy, was divinely equipped to stand before the most powerful man on earth, so too does God equip us for the tasks He calls us to, even when they seem insurmountable. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers, systems, and ideologies. No government, cultural norm, or perceived authority can ultimately thwart His purposes. We are called to represent God's truth and light in a world that often rejects divine authority, and we do so not in our own strength, but by the power and authority He bestows. Our mission is to be faithful messengers, relying on His provision and knowing that He will make His power manifest through our yieldedness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate, and how might God be calling you to trust in His empowering presence in those very areas?**
* **How does the concept of God making Moses "a god to Pharaoh" challenge your understanding of divine authority and human representation today?**
* **What "Pharaohs" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles do you face, and how can you approach them with the confidence that God's sovereignty prevails?**
* **In what ways are you called to be a "prophet" (a spokesperson) for God in your sphere of influence, and what might that practically look like?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for Moses to be "a god" to Pharaoh?**

Answer: The phrase "I have made thee a god to Pharaoh" (Hebrew: *ʼĕlôhîym*) does not imply that Moses literally became divine. Rather, it signifies that Moses was invested with extraordinary divine authority and power, acting as God's direct representative and agent. In the context of ancient Egypt, where Pharaoh was considered a divine being, Moses would stand before him not as a mere human, but as one wielding the very power and speaking the very words of the LORD. This elevated status was intended to challenge Pharaoh's own perceived divinity and the authority of Egypt's gods, demonstrating that Moses was backed by a power infinitely superior to any in Egypt. He would be the conduit through whom God's supreme power would be revealed, making him "as God" in the eyes of Pharaoh and his court.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 7:1, with its portrayal of Moses as God's powerful representative and Aaron as his prophet, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect revelation of God in Jesus Christ. While Moses was divinely appointed to act "as God" to Pharaoh through delegated authority, Christ is inherently God, the very Word made flesh who dwelt among us ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "The Word was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word became flesh")). He is the ultimate Prophet, who not only speaks God's truth but *is* God's truth, perfectly revealing the Father ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God has spoken by His Son")). Jesus confronts and utterly defeats not merely an earthly king and his pantheon of false gods, but the cosmic powers of sin, death, and spiritual darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His authority is inherent and eternal, not delegated, and His victory secures true spiritual freedom for all who believe, far surpassing the physical liberation from Egypt. Christ is the greater Moses, the perfect deliverer who leads His people out of spiritual bondage into the promised land of eternal life ([Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1-6 "Christ Greater Than Moses")).

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.

Cross-References

Exodus 4:15

And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

Exodus 4:16

And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

Psalms 82:6

¶ I have said, Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the most High.

John 10:35

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

John 10:36

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Jeremiah 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

1 Kings 17:23

And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.