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Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary

Exodus 4:3

It became a serpent, i.e. was really changed into a serpent; whereby it was intimated what and how pernicious his rod should be to the Egyptians.

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See also Exodus 4:3 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Exodus 4:3. _A SERPENT_] Of what sort we know not, as the word נחש _nachash_ is a general name for serpents, and also means several other things, see Genesis 3:1: but it was either of a kind th...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    A SERPENT - This miracle had a meaning which Moses could not mistake. The serpent was probably the basilisk or Uraeus, the Cobra. This was the symbol of royal and divine power on the diadem of every P...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 4:1-28 MOSES' OBJECTIONS, JEHOVAH'S ANSWER AND THE RETURN TO EGYPT _ 1. The first objection (Exodus 4:1)_ 2. The two signs and Jehovah's assurance (Exodus 4:2) 3. The second objection (Exod...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    EXODUS 4:1 J (following Exodus 3:18). MOSES'S THIRD DIFFICULTY Israel's unbelief. To overcome it, he is enabled to authenticate his mission by three signs the rod that became a serpent and again a rod...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    HE [JEHOVAH] SAID, Occurs nine times in Exodus: Exodus 4:3; Exodus 4:7; Exodus 4:14; Exodus 15:26;...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Exodus 3:1 TO EXODUS 4:17. Moses commissioned by Jehovah at Horeb to deliver His people. The dialogue between Jehovah and Moses, as in other cases (cf. Delitzsch on Genesis 12:1), must be pictured, no...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    THE TEXT OF EXODUS TRANSLATION 4 And Mo-ses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice; for they will say, Je-ho-vah hath not appeared unto thee. (2) And Je-ho...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _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._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    SIGNS ATTESTING THE COMMISSION OF MOSES. HIS RETURN TO EGYPT Moses still hesitates, and now objects that the péople will not believe him when he tells them that Jehovah has sent him. He is granted th...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    FLED FROM BEFORE IT] A graphic trait, showing that the change was real, and that Moses was not prepared for it....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    EXODUS: ISRAEL BECOMES A NATION THE *ISRAELITES LEAVE EGYPT EXODUS CHAPTER S 1 TO 18 _HILDA BRIGHT AND KITTY PRIDE_ CHAPTER 4 THE *LORD GIVES GREAT POWER TO MOSES – VERSES 1-9 God shows his po...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    A SERPENT. — The word here used (_nakhash_) is a generic one for a snake of any kind, and tells us nothing as to the species. A different word (_tannin_) is used in Exodus 7:10, while _nakhash_ recurs...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הַשְׁלִיכֵ֣הוּ אַ֔רְצָה וַ יַּשְׁלִיכֵ֥הוּ...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER IV. _ MOSES HESITATES._ Exodus 4:1. Holy Scripture is impartial, even towards its heroes. The sin of David is recorded, and the failure of Peter. And so is the reluctance of Moses to accept...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    GOD'S SIGNS TO CONFIRM MOSES' WORDS Exodus 4:1 This wonderful chapter tells us how Moses' three misgivings were tenderly and sufficiently dealt with by his heavenly Friend. To _his first misgiving_ G...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    A further difficulty was now declared. The man who first doubted himself and then doubted because of his ignorance of God now doubted because of the people to whom he was to be sent. God had told him...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    The best comment upon this scripture is that of the apostle, where he hath remarked on tongues and prophecying. 1 Corinthians 14:22. And the best improvement will be to remember and pray for grace to...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    There is hardly a book of the Old Testament that stands out in more decided contrast with the book of Genesis than the one which follows it most closely. And this is the more striking, because God emp...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Moses still raises difficulties, and God gives him again signs, remarkable signs. The two first seem to me in their character-types, the first, of sin and of its healing; the second, of power, which,...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND HE SAID, CAST IT ON THE GROUND,.... That is, the rod or staff: AND HE CAST IT ON THE GROUND, AND IT BECAME A SERPENT; not in appearance only, but in reality, it was changed into a real living ser...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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. Ver. 3. _And it became a serpent._] So doth the word to those that cast away...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _It became a serpent_ Was really changed into a serpent. There was a significancy in this sign: it intimated what and how pernicious his rod would be to the Egyptians. _It became a rod in his hand_ Wh...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Moses rod is turned into a Serpent. 6 His hand is leprous. 10 He is loath to bee sent. 14 Aaron is appointed to assist him. 18 Moses departeth from Iethro. 21 Gods message to Pharaoh. 24 Zippo...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    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. The serpent was no delusion, but a fact, and looked dangerous enough to fill t...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    GOD GIVES MOSES MIRACULOUS POWERS...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    Exodus 4:1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice; for they will say, Jehovah hath not appeared unto 2thee. And Jehovah said unto him, What _is_...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    God's message to Moses has been so clear that it cannot be mistaken. He has made no secret of the opposition of Pharaoh, but has declared positively that He would enable Israel to triumph over this an...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-9 Moses objects, that the people would not take his word, unless he showed them some sign. God gives him power to work miracles. But those who are now employed to deliver God's messages to men, nee...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    We are still called to linger at the foot of Mount Horeb, at "the backside of the desert;" and, truly, the air of this place is most healthful for the spiritual constitution. Man's unbelief and God's...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Exodus 4:3 said H559 (H8799) Cast H7993 (H8685) ground H776 cast H7993 (H8686) ground H776 serpent...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    MOSES CONTINUES TO OBJECT TO GOD'S REQUEST AND GOD GIVES HIM THREE SIGNS (EXODUS 4:1). Moses continued to express his doubts so God told him of three signs which he would be able to use in order to d...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Moses' objections. Unbelief of the people and Moses' lack of eloquence. Return to Egypt. Message delivered to elders. CHARACTERS: God, Moses, Aaron, Jethro, Zipporah, elders. CONCLUSION: U...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Exodus 4:1. _They will not believe me._ Then the Lord directed him to work a miracle, the most convincing evidence of divine authority, for the removal of unbelief. Exodus 4:2. _A rod._ Milton has dis...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _What is that in thine hand?_ A TRIVIAL POSSESSION I. God frequently makes inquiry about the most trivial possessions of men. 1. Have they been honourably gained? 2. Are they being put to their pr...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— Exodus 4:1. Kept] Not merely once upon a time; but statedly, as his usual occupation: _lit_., “he had come to be shepherding,” the participle denoting continuance. Backside] That is,...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION EXODUS 4:1 The reluctance of Moses to undertake the part of leader, indicated by his first reply at his first calling, "Who am I that I should go?" etc. (Exodus 3:11), was not yet overcome...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me (Exodus 4:1), Now he's not convinced. They're gonna say, "Who sent you?" "All right", God said, "Tell them Jehovah God, the God of y...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    it became. Exodus 4:17 Exodus 7:10 Amos 5:19...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    SLOW TO OBEY Exodus 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS Not for one moment would we take from Moses the honor which is his. He was a great man and a man faithful unto God. However, the Word of God in painting a...

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