The Meaning of Exodus 4:23 Explained

Exodus 4:23

KJV: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

YLT: and I say unto thee, Send away My son, and he doth serve Me; and -- thou dost refuse to send him away -- lo, I am slaying thy son, thy first-born.'

Darby: And I say to thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me. And if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill thy son, thy firstborn.

ASV: and I have said unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and thou hast refused to let him go: behold, I will slay thy son, thy first-born.

Discover Exodus 4:23

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Exodus 4:23?

MEANING: What does Exodus 4:23 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Exodus 4:23 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Exodus 4:23?

What is the context of Exodus 4:23?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, [even] thy firstborn.

What does Exodus 4:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 4:18-31 - Moses And Aaron Announce God's Purpose To Israel

So often the keenest tests of a man's fitness for his life-work are furnished by his behavior in his home. It may be that Zipporah had resisted the earlier imposition on her son of the initial rite of the Jewish faith and her proud soul had to yield. No man who has put his hand to God's plow can take counsel with flesh and blood, or look back. At whatever cost we must set our own house in order, before we can emancipate a nation.

When God designs it, He will contrive for us to meet the man, or men, who are to help us in our life mission. Our paths meet in the Mount of God. When the Alps were bored for the railway track, the work started on either side, and the workers met in the middle. Help is coming to you from unexpected quarters, and will meet you when you need it most. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 4

¹ Moses's rod is turned into a serpent
⁶ His hand is leprous
¹⁰ He loathes his calling
¹³ Aaron is appointed to assist him
¹⁸ Moses departs from Jethro
²¹ God's message to Pharaoh
²⁴ Zipporah circumcises her son
²⁷ Aaron is sent to meet Moses
²⁹ The people believe them

What do the individual words in Exodus 4:23 mean?

So I say to you let go - My son that he may serve Me But if you refuse to let him go indeed I will kill your son your firstborn

וָאֹמַ֣ר אֵלֶ֗יךָ שַׁלַּ֤ח אֶת־ בְּנִי֙ וְיַֽעַבְדֵ֔נִי וַתְּמָאֵ֖ן לְשַׁלְּח֑וֹ הִנֵּה֙ אָנֹכִ֣י הֹרֵ֔ג בִּנְךָ֖ בְּכֹרֶֽךָ

וָאֹמַ֣ר	So I say
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, first person common singular Root: אָמַר Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֵלֶ֗יךָ	to you
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular Root: אֶל Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
שַׁלַּ֤ח	let go
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine singular Root: שָׁלַח Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
אֶת־	-
Parse: Direct object marker Root: אֹות Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
בְּנִי֙	My son
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular Root: בֵּן Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
וְיַֽעַבְדֵ֔נִי	that he may serve Me
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular Root: עָבַד Sense: to work, serve.
וַתְּמָאֵ֖ן	But if you refuse
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, second person masculine singular Root: מָאַן Sense: (Piel) to refuse.
לְשַׁלְּח֑וֹ	to let him go
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Piel, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular Root: שָׁלַח Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
הִנֵּה֙	indeed
Parse: Interjection Root: הִנֵּה Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
הֹרֵ֔ג	will kill
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular Root: הָרַג Sense: to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand.
בִּנְךָ֖	your son
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular Root: בֵּן Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
בְּכֹרֶֽךָ	your firstborn
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular Root: בְּכֹר Sense: firstborn, firstling.

What are the major concepts related to Exodus 4:23?

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Similar Scriptures for Exodus 4:23

		Exodus 11:5 [6]
		Exodus 12:29 [6]
		Psalms 135:8 [4]
		Psalms 105:36 [4]
		Exodus 7:16 [3]
		Psalms 78:51 [3]
		Exodus 5:1 [3]