Exodus 4:12
Exodus 4:12 in Multiple Translations
Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt speak.
So go now, and I will be with your mouth, teaching you what to say.
Now go, and I myself will be your mouth, and I will tell you what you are to say.”
Therefore goe nowe, and I will be with thy mouth, and will teach thee what thou shalt say.
and now, go, and I — I am with thy mouth, and have directed thee that which thou speakest;'
Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.”
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Go therefore and I will be in thy mouth: and I will teach thee what thou shalt speak.
So start going to Egypt, and I will help you to speak [MTY], and I will tell you what you should say.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 4:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 4:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עַתָּ֖ה
לֵ֑ךְ
וְ/אָנֹכִי֙
אֶֽהְיֶ֣ה
עִם
פִּ֔י/ךָ
וְ/הוֹרֵיתִ֖י/ךָ
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
תְּדַבֵּֽר
וְ/עַתָּ֖ה
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Conj | Adv
לֵ֑ךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
וְ/אָנֹכִי֙
ʼânôkîy
H595
I
Conj | Pron
אֶֽהְיֶ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
עִם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep
פִּ֔י/ךָ
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
וְ/הוֹרֵיתִ֖י/ךָ
yârâh
H3384
to shoot
Conj | V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs | Suff
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
תְּדַבֵּֽר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 4:12
וְ/עַתָּ֖ה
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Conj | Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
לֵ֑ךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
וְ/אָנֹכִי֙
ʼânôkîy
H595
"I"
Conj | Pron
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Definition: I (first pers. sing.) Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: I, me, [idiom] which. See also: Genesis 3:10; Deuteronomy 11:26; 2 Samuel 3:39.
אֶֽהְיֶ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
עִם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
פִּ֔י/ךָ
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
וְ/הוֹרֵיתִ֖י/ךָ
yârâh
H3384
"to shoot"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs | Suff
To show or teach something, like pointing it out or shooting an arrow. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe instructing or directing others.
Definition: 1) to shoot, pour 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shoot arrows 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to shoot at 1b2) part. shooter, archer 1c) to throw water, rain
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through. See also: Genesis 31:51; Job 8:10; Psalms 11:2.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
תְּדַבֵּֽר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
Study Notes — Exodus 4:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 4:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 4:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 4:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 4:12
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 4:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
- Sermons on Exodus 4:12
Context — The Appointment of Aaron
10“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
11And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
12Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”
13But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.” 14Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 1:9 | Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. |
| 2 | Luke 12:11–12 | When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.” |
| 3 | Matthew 10:19–20 | But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. |
| 4 | Luke 21:14–15 | So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. |
| 5 | Mark 13:11 | But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. |
| 6 | Isaiah 50:4 | The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. |
| 7 | John 14:26 | But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. |
| 8 | Ephesians 6:19 | Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, |
| 9 | Luke 11:1 | One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” |
| 10 | Psalms 25:4–5 | Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You. |
Exodus 4:12 Summary
This verse is a promise from God to Moses that He will help him speak and teach him what to say. It means that God will give Moses the words to say and the ability to communicate effectively, even though Moses feels inadequate. This is a promise that we can apply to our own lives, trusting that God will be with us and help us as we speak, as seen in Jeremiah 1:7-8 where it says, 'Do not say, I am only a youth, for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.' God wants us to trust in His power and presence with us, and to be willing to step out in faith and speak as He leads us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to 'help' us as we speak?
This means that God promises to give us the words to say and the ability to communicate effectively, as seen in Exodus 4:12, and also in Isaiah 50:4 where it says, 'The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.'
Why does God tell Moses to go and speak despite his feelings of inadequacy?
God tells Moses to go and speak because He is the one who gives us our abilities and talents, as stated in Exodus 4:11, and He is able to use us despite our weaknesses, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 where it says, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'
What does it mean for God to 'teach' us what to say?
This means that God will guide us in our communication, giving us the right words to say at the right time, as promised in Exodus 4:12, and also in Matthew 10:19-20 where it says, 'Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.'
How can we apply this promise to our own lives?
We can apply this promise by trusting in God's power and presence with us, and being willing to step out in faith and speak as He leads us, as seen in Acts 1:8 where it says, 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel inadequate or unsure of what to say, and how can I trust God to help me in those situations?
- How can I balance my own weaknesses and limitations with the promise of God's power and presence with me?
- What would it look like for me to trust God to 'teach me what to say' in a difficult conversation or situation?
- How can I remember that God is the one who gives me my abilities and talents, and that He can use me despite my weaknesses?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 4:12
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth,.... And put words into it, and cause it to speak readily and powerfully; and so it appears that he was mighty in words, as well as in deeds, Acts 7:22:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 4:12
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. I am not eloquent.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
By my Spirit to direct and assist thee what and how to speak. Whence Moses, though he still seems to have remained slow in speech, yet was in truth mighty in words as well as deeds, . Compare ,20.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
Exodus 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.Ver. 12. I will be with thy mouth.]
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
(12) I will be with thy mouth.—To suggest words (see Matthew 10:19-20), and assist utterance. Comp. the reluctance of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6), and God’s dealings with him (Jeremiah 1:7-9).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
Verse 12. I will be with thy mouth] The Chaldee translates, My WORD, meimeri, shall be with thy mouth. And Jonathan ben Uzziel paraphrases, I and my WORD will be with the speech of thy mouth. See Clarke on Genesis 15:1, and "Leviticus 25:10".
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 4:12
12. God further promises that He will be with his mouth (cf. Exodus 3:12), and teach him always what to say. Cf., of prophets, Deuteronomy 18:18, Jeremiah 1:9.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 4:12
Compare with this our Lord’s promise to His Apostles; Matthew 10:19; Mark 13:11.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 4:12
MOSES AND IS REBUKED, Exodus 4:10-17. 10-12. I am not eloquent — Literally, not a man of words. Slow of speech — Rather, heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue.
Sermons on Exodus 4:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Word to You Who Would Be Useful by Samuel Logan Brengle | Samuel Logan Brengle encourages Christians who feel useless in their spiritual lives, reminding them that every believer has a desire to be useful and bear fruit for God. He emphas |
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Commentary Notes - I Chronicles by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches on the Books of the Chronicles, emphasizing their division, retrospective nature post-Babylonian captivity, and focus on Judah's history from a heavenly pe |
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The Gift of Teaching by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the vital role of the gift of teaching within the church, as outlined by Paul in various scriptures. He highlights that true teaching is empowered by the Hol |
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The Precious Blood and the Mighty Hand by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of seeking inspiration from the Holy Spirit. After two weeks of struggling to find a message, he is guided to study love and |
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Desperation Revelation Resignation by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker shares anecdotes from his childhood, including a story about being chased by monkeys and baboons. He then transitions to discussing the impact of John W |
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Jeremiah - His Call and Commission by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the call and commission of Jeremiah as a prophet. Jeremiah was surprised by God's call, but God assured him not to be afraid of people becau |
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K-516 a Prophetic Scenario (2 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of being reproached for going over the allotted time for his message. He explains that he received a note to finish his s |