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Exodus 6:12 But in the LORD's presence Moses replied, "If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?"
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 6:12 But in the LORD's presence Moses replied, "If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/6-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/02_Exo_06_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 6:12 - God Promises Deliverance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But in the LORD's presence Moses replied, If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/6-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/6-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/6-11.htm" title="Exodus 6:11">◄</a> Exodus 6:12 <a href="/exodus/6-13.htm" title="Exodus 6:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But Moses said to the LORD, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“But LORD!” Moses objected. “My own people won’t listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But Moses said to the LORD, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who <i>am</i> of uncircumcised lips?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I <i>am</i> of uncircumcised lips?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, as I am unskilled in speech?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But Moses said to the LORD, “Look, [my own people] the Israelites have not listened to me; so how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled <i>and</i> inept in speech?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses said in the LORD’s presence, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses said in the LORD’s presence: “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Moses spake before Jehovah, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But Moses replied, "I'm not a powerful speaker. If the Israelites won't listen to me, why should the king of Egypt?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But Moses protested to the LORD, "The Israelites wouldn't listen to me. Why would Pharaoh listen to me? I'm such a poor speaker."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But Moses replied, "Even the Israelites will not listen to me, so why should the king? I am such a poor speaker." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Moses said right in front of the LORD, "Look, the Israelis didn't listen to me, so how will Pharaoh? I'm not a persuasive speaker"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But in the LORD?s presence Moses replied, ?If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Moses replied to the LORD, "If the Israelites did not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with difficulty?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, "Look, the children of Israel haven't listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, who am of uncircumcised lips?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, “Behold, the children of Israel haven’t listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, when I have uncircumcised lips?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Moses speaks before YHWH, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me, and how does Pharaoh hear me, and I of uncircumcised lips?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Moses speaketh before Jehovah, saying, 'Lo, the sons of Israel have not hearkened unto me, and how doth Pharaoh hear me, and I of uncircumcised lips?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Moses will speak before Jehovah, saying, Behold, the sons of Israel heard not to me; and how shall Pharaoh hear me, and I of uncircumcised lips?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Moses answered before the Lord Behold the children of Israel do no hearken to me; and how will Pharao hear me, especially as I am of uncircumcised lips? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Moses responded in the sight the Lord: “Behold, the sons of Israel do not listen to me. And how will Pharaoh listen to me, especially since I am of uncircumcised lips?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />However, Moses protested to the LORD, “If the Israelites did not listen to me, how is it possible that Pharaoh will listen to me, poor speaker that I am!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Moses spoke to the LORD, “The Israelites have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But Moses said to the LORD, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am a stutterer?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Moshe said, “LORD JEHOVAH, behold, the children of Israel do not listen to me. How will Pharaoh listen to me, for my tongue stutters?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying: 'Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel hearkened not to me, and how shall Pharao hearken to me? and I am not eloquent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/6-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=1241" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/6.htm">God Promises Deliverance</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>“Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land.” <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">But in the LORD’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">presence</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">“If</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·mə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: wə·’êḵ (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">then why</a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: p̄ar·‘ōh (N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">would Pharaoh</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: yiš·mā·‘ê·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 1cs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">listen to me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: wa·’ă·nî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">since I</a> <a href="/hebrew/6189.htm" title="6189: ‘ă·ral (Adj-msc) -- Having foreskin (uncircumcised). Rom arel; properly, exposed, i.e. Projecting loose; used only technically, uncircumcised.">am unskilled</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄ā·ṯā·yim (N-fd) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">in speech?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge concerning both the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Exodus 4:10-13</a></span><br />“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.” / And 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? / Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11</a></span><br />But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/12-3.htm">Numbers 12:3</a></span><br />Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-6.htm">Jeremiah 1:6</a></span><br />“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a></span><br />Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-7.htm">Ezekiel 3:7</a></span><br />But the house of Israel will be unwilling to listen to you, since they are unwilling to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-22.htm">Acts 7:22</a></span><br />So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5-6</a></span><br />Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-27.htm">Hebrews 11:27</a></span><br />By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-16.htm">Romans 10:16</a></span><br />But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-37.htm">John 12:37-38</a></span><br />Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-15</a></span><br />In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-4.htm">Mark 6:4-6</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.” / So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them. / And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-24.htm">Luke 4:24</a></span><br />Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?</p><p class="hdg">children</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/6-9.htm">Exodus 6:9</a></b></br> And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/3-13.htm">Exodus 3:13</a></b></br> And Moses said unto God, Behold, <i>when</i> I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What <i>is</i> his name? what shall I say unto them?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-29.htm">Exodus 4:29-31</a></b></br> And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: … </p><p class="hdg">am.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Exodus 4:10</a></b></br> And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I <i>am</i> not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I <i>am</i> slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Exodus 6:30</a></b></br> And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I <i>am</i> of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Exodus 4:10</a></b></br> And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I <i>am</i> not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I <i>am</i> slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/6-11.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/5-2.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/exodus/4-31.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/exodus/5-2.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/exodus/6-9.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/exodus/6-11.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/6-11.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/exodus/6-10.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/6-11.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/exodus/6-11.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/genesis/34-14.htm">Uncircumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-13.htm">Unskilled</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/6-13.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/7-4.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/exodus/7-16.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/exodus/7-13.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/exodus/6-13.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/6-13.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/exodus/6-13.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/6-13.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/exodus/6-29.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Uncircumcised</a> <a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Unskilled</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/6-1.htm">God renews his promise by his name JEHOVAH</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/6-9.htm">Moses vainly attempts to encourage the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/6-10.htm">He and Aaron are again sent to Pharaoh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/6-14.htm">Genealogies of Reuben, Simeon and Levi, of whom came Moses and Aaron</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/6-26.htm">The history resumed</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But in the LORD’s presence</b><br>This phrase indicates Moses is directly communicating with God, highlighting the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leader. The presence of the LORD is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, signifying divine authority and guidance. This setting underscores the gravity of the conversation and the divine mission Moses is tasked with.<p><b>Moses replied</b><br>Moses' response reflects his ongoing struggle with self-doubt and inadequacy. Despite witnessing God's power, Moses often questions his own abilities. This humanizes Moses, showing that even great leaders in the Bible faced personal challenges. His dialogue with God is reminiscent of other biblical figures who expressed doubt, such as Gideon in <a href="/judges/6-15.htm">Judges 6:15</a>.<p><b>If the Israelites will not listen to me</b><br>Moses refers to the earlier incident where the Israelites, burdened by slavery, did not heed his message of deliverance (<a href="/exodus/6-9.htm">Exodus 6:9</a>). This reflects the Israelites' despair and loss of hope, a common theme in their history. Their initial disbelief sets the stage for the miraculous signs and wonders that God will perform to affirm His promise.<p><b>then why would Pharaoh listen to me</b><br>Moses questions the likelihood of Pharaoh, a powerful ruler, heeding his words when his own people have not. This highlights the political and social hierarchy of ancient Egypt, where Pharaoh was considered a god-like figure. Moses' doubt also foreshadows the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, a key element in the narrative of the Exodus.<p><b>since I am unskilled in speech?</b><br>Moses' self-assessment of his speaking abilities is a recurring theme (<a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Exodus 4:10</a>). This perceived weakness emphasizes God's power to use imperfect vessels for His purposes. It also prefigures the New Testament teaching that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (<a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9</a>). Moses' reliance on Aaron as his spokesperson further illustrates the importance of community and support in fulfilling God's mission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Despite his initial reluctance and feelings of inadequacy, he is chosen to be God's spokesperson.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt, Pharaoh is the one whom Moses is instructed to confront to demand the release of the Israelites. His heart is hardened, and he is resistant to God's command.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who are enslaved in Egypt. They are the recipients of God's promise of deliverance, yet they struggle with disbelief and discouragement due to their harsh circumstances.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It represents a place of bondage and oppression from which God plans to deliver His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who hears the cries of His people and is committed to fulfilling His covenant promises. He empowers Moses to be His messenger.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_human_weakness.htm">Understanding Human Weakness</a></b><br>Moses' self-doubt ("I speak with faltering lips") reminds us that God often chooses those who feel inadequate to accomplish His purposes. Our weaknesses can highlight God's strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_faithfulness.htm">God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite Moses' doubts and the Israelites' disbelief, God's plan for deliverance is unwavering. This teaches us to trust in God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Moses' willingness to follow God's command, despite his fears, underscores the importance of obedience in the life of a believer. Obedience often precedes understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_word.htm">The Power of God's Word</a></b><br>Moses' concern about his speaking ability is overshadowed by the power of God's message. This encourages us to rely on the truth of God's Word rather than our own abilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_leadership.htm">Encouragement in Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders, like Moses, may face discouragement and doubt. This passage encourages leaders to seek God's strength and guidance in fulfilling their calling.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_moses_have_a_speech_impediment.htm">Did Moses have a speech impediment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_stuttering.htm">What does the Bible mention about stuttering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/benefits_of_studying_theology.htm">Why did God kill Egypt's firstborn children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_400_years_in_acts_7_6_vs._430_in_ex._12_40.htm">Why does Stephen cite a 400-year period in Acts 7:6 when Exodus 12:40 indicates 430 years of Israelite bondage?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">How then shall Pharaoh hear me?</span>--This time the objection comes from Moses. His double rejection, by Pharaoh (<a href="/context/exodus/5-1.htm" title="And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.">Exodus 5:1-4</a>) and by Israel (<a href="/exodus/6-9.htm" title="And Moses spoke so to the children of Israel: but they listened not to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.">Exodus 6:9</a>), had thrown him back into utter despondency. All that diffidence and distrust of himself which he had shown in his earlier communications with Jehovah (<a href="/exodus/3-11.htm" title="And Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?">Exodus 3:11</a>; <a href="/exodus/4-1.htm" title="And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice: for they will say, The LORD has not appeared to you.">Exodus 4:1</a>; <a href="/exodus/4-10.htm" title="And Moses said to the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since you have spoken to your servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.">Exodus 4:10</a>; <a href="/exodus/4-13.htm" title="And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray you, by the hand of him whom you will send.">Exodus 4:13</a>) revived, and he despaired of success in his mission. Was it of any use his making a second appeal to the foreign monarch when he had failed with his own countrymen? . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Uncircumcised lips</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "lips inefficient for the purpose for which lips are given;" as "uncircumcised ears" are ears that cannot hearken (<a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Jeremiah 6:10</a>), and an "uncircumcised heart" a heart that cannot understand (<a href="/jeremiah/9-26.htm">Jeremiah 9:26</a>). The meaning is the same as in <a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">Exodus 4:10</a>, where Moses says that he is "slow of speech and of a slow tongue." Nothing can be determined from the expression as to the exact cause of the imperfection of which complaint is made. <p> CHAPTER 6:13-27 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/6-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But in the LORD’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">presence</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“If</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">listen</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמְע֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·mə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלַ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then how</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵיךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’êḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will Pharaoh</span><br /><span class="heb">פַרְעֹ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ar·‘ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings</span><br /><br /><span class="word">listen to me,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁמָעֵ֣נִי</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·mā·‘ê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">since I</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am unskilled</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲרַ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ral)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6189.htm">Strong's 6189: </a> </span><span class="str2">Having foreskin (uncircumcised)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in speech?”</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂפָתָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄ā·ṯā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/6-12.htm">Exodus 6:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/6-12.htm">OT Law: Exodus 6:12 Moses spoke before Yahweh saying Behold (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/6-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 6:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 6:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/6-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 6:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 6:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>