CINXE.COM

<!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 4:8 And the LORD said, "If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/4-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/02_Exo_04_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 4:8 - Moses' Hand" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And the LORD said, If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></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/4-8.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/4-8.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/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 8</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="/ad1.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/4-7.htm" title="Exodus 4:7">◄</a> Exodus 4:8 <a href="/exodus/4-9.htm" title="Exodus 4:9">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/4.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/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, &#8220If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses, “If they do not believe you and are not convinced by the first miraculous sign, they will be convinced by the second sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“So if they will not believe you nor pay attention to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the last sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If they will not believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe the witness of the last sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And it shall come about that if they will not believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe the witness of the last sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“And so it will be, if they will not believe you or listen to the witness of the first sign, they may believe the witness of this last sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If they will not believe you or pay attention to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If they will not believe you and will not respond to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If they will not believe you and will not respond to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Then the LORD said,] "If they won't believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD said, "If they will not believe you or be convinced by the first miracle, then this one will convince them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Then if they don't believe you and respond to the first sign, they may respond to the second sign. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"If they do not believe you or pay attention to the former sign, then they may believe the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"It will happen, if they will neither believe you nor listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“It will happen, if they will not believe you or listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“and it has come to pass, if they do not give credence to you, and do not listen to the voice of the first sign, that they have given credence to the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> ' -- and it hath come to pass, if they do not give credence to thee, and hearken not to the voice of the first sign, that they have given credence to the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it shall be if they will not believe in thee, and will not hear to the voice of the first sign, and they believed the voice of the latter sign.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If they will not believe thee, saith he, nor hear the voice of the former sign, they will believe the word of the latter sign. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“If they will not believe you,” he said, “and will not listen to the sermon of the first sign, then they will believe the word of the subsequent sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If they do not believe you or pay attention to the message of the first sign, they should believe the message of the second sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“If they will not believe you or heed the first sign, they may believe the second sign.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if they will not believe you, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, they will believe the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if they will not believe and they will not hear the voice of the former sign, they may believe the voice of the last sign.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if they will not believe thee, nor hearken to the voice of the first sign, they will believe thee <i>because</i> of the voice of the second sign.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/4-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=718" 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/4.htm">Moses' Hand</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>“Put your hand back inside your cloak,” said the LORD. So Moses put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his skin. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">And the LORD said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">“If</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.">they refuse</a> <a href="/hebrew/539.htm" title="539: ya·’ă·mî·nū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- To confirm, support. ">to believe</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: yiš·mə·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">heed</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: lə·qōl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">the witness</a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: hā·ri·šō·wn (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank.">of the first</a> <a href="/hebrew/226.htm" title="226: hā·’ōṯ (Art:: N-cs) -- A sign. Probably from 'uwth; a signal, as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.">sign,</a> <a href="/hebrew/539.htm" title="539: wə·he·’ĕ·mî·nū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To confirm, support. ">they may believe</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: lə·qōl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/314.htm" title="314: hā·’a·ḥă·rō·wn (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Coming after or behind. Or;acharon; from 'achar; hinder; generally, late or last; specifically western.">of the second.</a> <a href="/hebrew/226.htm" title="226: hā·’ōṯ (Art:: N-cs) -- A sign. Probably from 'uwth; a signal, as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc."></a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>But if they do not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. Then the water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.”…<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="/john/20-30.htm">John 20:30-31</a></span><br />Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. / But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Matthew 12:38-41</a></span><br />Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-29.htm">Luke 11:29-32</a></span><br />As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. / For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. / The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/2-3.htm">Hebrews 2:3-4</a></span><br />how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, / and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-48.htm">John 4:48</a></span><br />Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">1 Corinthians 1:22</a></span><br />Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-11.htm">John 2:11</a></span><br />Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-37.htm">John 12:37</a></span><br />Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-22.htm">Acts 2:22</a></span><br />Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-18.htm">Romans 15:18-19</a></span><br />I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, / by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Deuteronomy 13:1-3</a></span><br />If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-11.htm">Numbers 14:11</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">1 Kings 18:36-39</a></span><br />At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Isaiah 7:11-14</a></span><br />“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-1.htm">Isaiah 53:1</a></span><br />Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe you, neither listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.</p><p class="hdg">if they.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-30.htm">Exodus 4:30,31</a></b></br> And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-10.htm">Isaiah 28:10</a></b></br> For precept <i>must be</i> upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, <i>and</i> there a little:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/12-37.htm">John 12:37</a></b></br> But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:</p><p class="hdg">that they.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-39.htm">Deuteronomy 32:39</a></b></br> See now that I, <i>even</i> I, <i>am</i> he, and <i>there is</i> no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither <i>is there any</i> that can deliver out of my hand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">2 Kings 5:7</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, <i>Am</i> I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-18.htm">Job 5:18</a></b></br> For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/exodus/4-5.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/romans/10-16.htm">Credence</a> <a href="/exodus/4-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/exodus/4-1.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">First</a> <a href="/exodus/4-1.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/genesis/14-3.htm">Latter</a> <a href="/revelation/16-14.htm">Miraculous</a> <a href="/exodus/2-9.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Second</a> <a href="/exodus/3-12.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/exodus/4-1.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/genesis/31-52.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/5-9.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/exodus/4-9.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-7.htm">Credence</a> <a href="/exodus/4-15.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/exodus/4-31.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/exodus/4-22.htm">First</a> <a href="/exodus/4-9.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/exodus/4-9.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/numbers/24-14.htm">Latter</a> <a href="/exodus/4-17.htm">Miraculous</a> <a href="/exodus/5-9.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/exodus/16-1.htm">Second</a> <a href="/exodus/8-23.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/exodus/4-9.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-1.htm">Moses's rod is turned into a serpent.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-6.htm">His hand is leprous.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-10.htm">He loathes his calling.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-13.htm">Aaron is appointed to assist him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-18.htm">Moses departs from Jethro.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-21.htm">God's message to Pharaoh.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-24.htm">Zipporah circumcises her son.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-27.htm">Aaron is sent to meet Moses.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/4-29.htm">The people believe them.</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/exodus/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>And the LORD said</b><br />This phrase establishes divine authority and communication. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His eternal and self-existent nature. This introduction underscores that the instructions and assurances given to Moses are not of human origin but are divinely ordained. It reflects the personal relationship God has with His chosen leaders and His active role in guiding His people.<p><b>If they do not believe you</b><br />The phrase addresses the potential skepticism of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "believe" is "aman," which means to confirm or support. This highlights the challenge Moses faces in gaining the trust of the Israelites, who have been oppressed for generations. It also reflects a broader theme in Scripture: the struggle between faith and doubt. God anticipates human hesitation and provides reassurance through signs.<p><b>or heed the witness</b><br />To "heed" means to pay attention or listen carefully. The Hebrew root "shama" implies not just hearing but obeying. The "witness" refers to the testimony or evidence provided by the signs. This phrase suggests that God understands the need for tangible evidence to bolster faith. It also points to the importance of obedience in the faith journey, as hearing God's message should lead to action.<p><b>of the first sign</b><br />The "first sign" refers to the miraculous transformation of Moses' staff into a serpent, as described earlier in <a href="/exodus/4.htm">Exodus 4</a>. Signs in the biblical context are not mere wonders but are meant to convey a deeper spiritual truth or divine message. This sign serves as a demonstration of God's power over creation and His ability to protect and deliver His people.<p><b>they may believe</b><br />Here, "believe" again uses the Hebrew "aman," emphasizing the potential for faith to be established through divine intervention. This phrase offers hope that even if initial skepticism exists, God provides multiple opportunities for belief. It reflects God's patience and His desire for His people to come to faith through understanding and experience.<p><b>the witness of the second</b><br />The "second" sign refers to Moses' hand becoming leprous and then being healed. This sign further demonstrates God's power over health and disease, symbolizing His ability to purify and restore. The use of multiple signs indicates God's comprehensive approach to revealing Himself and His purposes. It underscores the theme of redemption and the transformative power of God's intervention in human affairs.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">The voice of the first sign.</span>--Not "the voice of Moses witnessed to by the first sign" (Rosenmller), but the voice, which the sign itself might be regarded as uttering. (Comp. <a href="/psalms/105-27.htm" title="They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.">Psalm 105:27</a>, where Moses and Aaron are said to have proclaimed "the <span class= "ital">words </span>of God's signs.") A miracle speaks to men.<p><span class= "bld">They will believe, </span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>most of them. Accustomed to the tricks of the serpent charmers (see <a href="/exodus/7-11.htm" title="Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.">Exodus 7:11</a> and comment <span class= "ital">ad loc.</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>the Israelites might be unmoved by the sight of the first miracle. They were then to be shown the second, which would be much more astonishing to them, having no parallel in their experience. This would persuade the greater number. As some, however, might still doubt, a third sign was provided. God is patient with all reasonable doubt.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The voice of the first sign</span>. Some understand "the voice of Moses as he gave them the first sign;" but it is better to regard the sign itself as speaking to them. According to the sacred writers everything that can teach us anything - day, night, the heavens, the firmament, the beasts, the fowls of the air, the fishes, nay, the very stones - have a voice. They teach us, speak to us, declare to us, cry out aloud, lift up their voice, shout, sing, proclaim God's will, whether man will hear or whether he will forbear. (See <a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1-3</a>; <a href="/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7, 3</a>; <a href="/habakkuk/2-11.htm">Habakkuk 2:11</a>; <a href="/luke/19-40.htm">Luke 19:40</a>, etc.) Equally, or rather much more, must a miracle be regarded as having a voice. God speaks to us by it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/4-8.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">[And the LORD said,]</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they refuse</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</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">to believe</span><br /><span class="heb">יַאֲמִ֣ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ya·’ă·mî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_539.htm">Strong's 539: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confirm, support</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֔ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">heed</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁמְע֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·mə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine 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">the witness</span><br /><span class="heb">לְקֹ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·qōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the first</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ri·šō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7223.htm">Strong's 7223: </a> </span><span class="str2">First, in place, time, rank</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sign,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֹ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_226.htm">Strong's 226: </a> </span><span class="str2">A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they may believe</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·he·’ĕ·mî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_539.htm">Strong's 539: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confirm, support</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[that]</span><br /><span class="heb">לְקֹ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·qōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the second.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאַחֲרֽוֹן׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’a·ḥă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_314.htm">Strong's 314: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hinder, late, last, western</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/4-8.htm">OT Law: Exodus 4:8 It will happen if they will neither (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/4-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 4:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 4:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/4-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 4:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 4:9" /></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>