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Text -- Exodus 4:2 (NET)

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Context
4:2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.”
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Token | Sign | Rulers | ROD | Moses | Miracles | Israel | GENESIS, 1-2 | Condescension of God | Communion | Call | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

Other
Bible Query

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Exo 4:2 - -- Or staff.

Or staff.

JFB: Exo 4:2 - -- The question was put not to elicit information which God required, but to draw the particular attention of Moses.

The question was put not to elicit information which God required, but to draw the particular attention of Moses.

JFB: Exo 4:2 - -- Probably the shepherd's crook--among the Arabs, a long staff, with a curved head, varying from three to six feet in length.

Probably the shepherd's crook--among the Arabs, a long staff, with a curved head, varying from three to six feet in length.

Clarke: Exo 4:2 - -- A rod - מתה matteh , a staff, probably his shepherd’ s crook; see Lev 27:32. As it was made the instrument of working many miracles, it was...

A rod - מתה matteh , a staff, probably his shepherd’ s crook; see Lev 27:32. As it was made the instrument of working many miracles, it was afterwards called the rod of God; see Exo 4:20.

Calvin: Exo 4:2 - -- 2.What is that in thine hand? In accordance with the idiom of the Hebrew language, Moses now explains more fully, and more distinctly pursues, what h...

2.What is that in thine hand? In accordance with the idiom of the Hebrew language, Moses now explains more fully, and more distinctly pursues, what he had before only generally alluded to respecting the signs. In the three signs which he refers to we must consider their respective meanings The pastoral crook, which he carried in his hand, is flung on the ground, and becomes a serpent; again it is taken back into his hand, and recovers its original nature. I doubt not but that God wished to shew him, that although his condition was abject and despicable, still he would be formidable to the king of Egypt. For his rod was the symbol of a shepherd; and what would be more contemptible than for a keeper of sheep to come up from the desert, and to oppose to the scepter of a most powerful king that crook, by which he could scarcely protect himself and his flock from wild beasts? But God assures him, that although deprived of earthly splendor, wealth, or power, he would still be terrible to Pharaoh; as much as to say, that he need not fear lest Pharaoh should despise him, or take no account of him as a mere rustic, because his rod, turned into a serpent, would inspire more terror than a thousand swords. As to what Moses says, that he himself fled from it in alarm, unquestionably God intended to affright his servant, that he might the better estimate from his own feelings what would be the power of God to terrify that proud king. This, then, was the object of the miracle, that there was no occasion for mighty armies, since Pharaoh would tremble at the sight of the simple rod; and that the rod need not be wielded and violently agitated, because it would inspire sufficient terror by its own movement and agitation. The one part of the miracle, where the rod returned to its former shape, was intended to shew Moses, that what was to be hostile and injurious to his enemy, would be an assistance and safeguard to himself. Therefore, the same rod which encouraged and emboldened Moses, depressed and overwhelmed his foe. But that he dares, in immediate obedience to the voice of God, to lay hold of the serpent, is a proof of his remarkable faith; and this appears more manifestly from his sudden change, that he fears not to provoke a poisonous and noxious animal, by taking hold of its tail, when he had so lately fled from its very sight in consternation. His timid mind, then, was capable of great courage, and his timidity and piety brought forth their fruit alternately. And this is especially worthy of remark, that Moses was strengthened by the presence of God; but that he was weakened when he turned his eyes to the untameable minds of his own race, and to the proud tyranny of Egypt. The question now arises, whether the change of the rod into a serpent was real, and actual, or whether the outward form only was changed? Although I should be unwilling to contend pertinaciously for a thing of little consequence, I embrace that opinion which is more probable, that not merely an image or vision appeared, but that God, who created all things out of nothing, gave a new nature to the rod, and again made a rod out of the serpent, which was in no degree more difficult than to change Lot’s wife into a pillar of salt. (Gen 19:26.) Since this was easy to God’s power, it does not appear likely to me that He had recourse to the illusion of visions. As to the imitation of the magicians, we will speak of their sorceries in their proper place.

TSK: Exo 4:2 - -- a rod : Exo 4:17, Exo 4:20; Gen 30:37; Lev 27:32; Psa 110:2; Isa 11:4; Mic 7:14

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Exo 4:2 - -- A rod - The word seems to denote the long staff which on Egyptian monuments is borne by men in positions of authority. It was usually made of a...

A rod - The word seems to denote the long staff which on Egyptian monuments is borne by men in positions of authority. It was usually made of acacia wood.

Gill: Exo 4:2 - -- And the Lord said unto him,.... Not reproving him for contradicting him, or showing any diffidence of what he had said; but rather as approving the hi...

And the Lord said unto him,.... Not reproving him for contradicting him, or showing any diffidence of what he had said; but rather as approving the hint he gave of having some sign or miracle wrought, to command from the Israelites an assent unto him, as commissioned of God to deliver them:

what is that in thine hand? which question is put, not as being ignorant of what it was, but to lead on to what he had further to say, and to the working of the miracle:

and he said, a rod; or staff, such as shepherds use in the management of their flocks, for Moses was now feeding the flock of his father-in-law; but Aben Ezra seems rather to think it was a walking staff, such as ancient men lean upon, since Moses did not go to Pharaoh after the manner of a shepherd; yea, it may be added, he went with the authority of a prince or ruler of Israel, and even with the authority of the ambassador of the King of kings.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Exo 4:2 The staff appears here to be the shepherd’s staff that he was holding. It now will become the instrument with which Moses will do the mighty wor...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Exo 4:1-31 - --1 Moses's rod is turned into a serpent.6 His hand is leprous.10 He is loath to be sent.13 Aaron is appointed to assist him.18 Moses departs from Jethr...

MHCC: Exo 4:1-9 - --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 e...

Matthew Henry: Exo 4:1-9 - -- It was a very great honour that Moses was called to when God commissioned him to bring Israel out of Egypt; yet he is with difficulty persuaded to a...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 4:1-9 - -- Moses now started a fresh difficulty: the Israelites would not believe that Jehovah had appeared to him. There was so far a reason for this difficu...

Constable: Exo 1:1--15:22 - --I. THE LIBERATION OF ISRAEL 1:1--15:21 "The story of the first half of Exodus, in broad summary, is Rescue. The ...

Constable: Exo 3:1--4:19 - --6. Moses' call 3:1-4:18 3:1-12 Horeb is another name for Sinai (v. 1). It probably indicates a range of mountains rather than a particular mountain pe...

Guzik: Exo 4:1-31 - --Exodus 4 - Moses' Commission from God A. God gives Moses signs to confirm his ministry. 1. (1) Moses asks, "How will they believe me?" T...

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Commentary -- Other

Bible Query: Exo 3:10--4:17 Q: In Ex 3:10-4:17 why did Moses need a call, and why do we? A: Before Moses put His life on the line, God confirmed to Moses that He would be doing...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Exodus (Book Introduction) EXODUS, a "going forth," derives its name from its being occupied principally with a relation of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and the i...

JFB: Exodus (Outline) INCREASE OF THE ISRAELITES. (Exo. 1:1-22) BIRTH AND PRESERVATION OF MOSES. (Exo 2:1-10) there went a man of the house of Levi, &c. Amram was the hus...

TSK: Exodus (Book Introduction) The title of this Book is derived from the Septuagint; in which it is called ΕΞΟΔΟΣ , " Exodus;" or, as it is in the Codex Alexandrinus, Ε...

TSK: Exodus 4 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Exo 4:1, Moses’s rod is turned into a serpent; Exo 4:6, His hand is leprous; Exo 4:10, He is loath to be sent; Exo 4:13, Aaron is appoi...

Poole: Exodus (Book Introduction) SECOND BOOK OF MOSES CALLED EXODUS. THE ARGUMENT. AFTER the death of Joseph, who had sent for his father’ s house into Egypt, the children o...

Poole: Exodus 4 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 4 Moses’ s objection, Exo 4:1 . The answer, Exo 4:2 . God turns his rod into a serpent, Exo 4:3-5 . He adds another sign, Exo 4:6-8 . ...

MHCC: Exodus (Book Introduction) The Book of Exodus relates the forming of the children of Israel into a church and a nation. We have hitherto seen true religion shown in domestic lif...

MHCC: Exodus 4 (Chapter Introduction) (Exo 4:1-9) God gives Moses power to work miracles. (Exo 4:10-17) Moses is loth to be sent, Aaron is to assist him. (Exo 4:18-23) Moses leaves Midia...

Matthew Henry: Exodus (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Second Book of Moses, Called Exodus Moses (the servant of the Lord in writing for him as well as ...

Matthew Henry: Exodus 4 (Chapter Introduction) This chapter, I. Continues and concludes God's discourse with Moses at the bush concerning this great affair of bringing Israel out of Egypt. 1. ...

Constable: Exodus (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The Hebrew title of this book (we'elleh shemot) originated from the...

Constable: Exodus (Outline) Outline I. The liberation of Israel 1:1-15:21 A. God's preparation of Israel and Moses chs. ...

Constable: Exodus Exodus Bibliography Adams, Dwayne H. "The Building Program that Works (Exodus 25:4--36:7 [31:1-11])." Exegesis ...

Haydock: Exodus (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF EXODUS. INTRODUCTION. The second Book of Moses is called Exodus from the Greek word Exodos, which signifies going out; becaus...

Gill: Exodus (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS This book is called by the Jews Veelleh Shemoth, from the first words with which it begins, and sometimes Sepher Shemoth, an...

Gill: Exodus 4 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 4 This chapter is a continuation of the discourse that passed between God and Moses; and here Moses makes other objections t...

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