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<!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 4:17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/4-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/02_Exo_04_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 4:17 - The Appointment of Aaron" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.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/4-16.htm" title="Exodus 4:16">◄</a> Exodus 4:17 <a href="/exodus/4-18.htm" title="Exodus 4:18">►</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/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 />But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And you shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And you shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs [the miracles which prove I sent you].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And take this staff in your hand that you will perform the signs with.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And take this staff in your hand that you will perform the signs with.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt take in thy hand this rod, wherewith thou shalt do the signs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Now take this walking stick and use it to perform miracles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt take in thine hand this rod, wherewith thou shalt do the signs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Take that shepherd's staff with you, and use it to do the miraculous signs."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Take this walking stick with you; for with it you will perform miracles." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now pick up that staff with your hand. You'll use it to perform the signs."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You will also take in your hand this staff, with which you will do the signs." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt take this rod in thy hand, with which thou shalt perform signs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and you take this rod in your hand, with which you do the signs.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and this rod thou dost take in thy hand, with which thou doest the signs.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And this rod shalt thou take in thy hand, with which thou shalt do signs.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And take this rod in thy hand, wherewith thou shalt do the signs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Also, take this staff into your hand; with it you will accomplish the signs.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Take this staff in your hand; with it you are to perform the signs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall take this staff in your hand, with which you shall do signs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And take this staff in your hand to do signs with it.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And thou shalt take in thy hand this rod, wherewith thou shalt do the signs.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And this rod that was turned into a serpent thou shalt take in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt work miracles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/4-17.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=807" 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">The Appointment of Aaron</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">But</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: tiq·qaḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">take</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: ham·maṭ·ṭeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">staff</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in your hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">so</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ta·‘ă·śeh- (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">you can perform</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/226.htm" title="226: hā·’ō·ṯōṯ (Art:: N-cp) -- A sign. Probably from 'uwth; a signal, as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.">signs with it.”</a> </span><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/7-9.htm">Exodus 7:9-10</a></span><br />“When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.” / So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-16.htm">Exodus 14:16</a></span><br />And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8-11</a></span><br />“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” / So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded. / Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-20.htm">Psalm 77:20</a></span><br />You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-9.htm">Psalm 106:9</a></span><br />He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-15.htm">Isaiah 11:15-16</a></span><br />The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. / There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Isaiah 51:9-10</a></span><br />Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? / Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-12.htm">Isaiah 63:12</a></span><br />who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-36.htm">Acts 7:36</a></span><br />He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-29.htm">Hebrews 11:29</a></span><br />By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-1.htm">1 Corinthians 10:1-2</a></span><br />I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.<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/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="/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="/mark/16-17.htm">Mark 16:17-18</a></span><br />And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; / they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do signs.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto him, What <i>is</i> that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/7-9.htm">Exodus 7:9,19</a></b></br> When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast <i>it</i> before Pharaoh, <i>and</i> it shall become a serpent… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a></b></br> But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/4-13.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/4-8.htm">Miraculous</a> <a href="/exodus/3-20.htm">Perform</a> <a href="/exodus/4-4.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/4-9.htm">Signs</a> <a href="/exodus/4-4.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/exodus/3-9.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/4-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/4-28.htm">Miraculous</a> <a href="/exodus/4-21.htm">Perform</a> <a href="/exodus/4-20.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/4-28.htm">Signs</a> <a href="/exodus/4-20.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/exodus/4-28.htm">Wherewith</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 /> <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/4.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/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But take this staff in your hand</b><br>The staff is a symbol of authority and leadership, often used by shepherds. Moses, having been a shepherd in Midian, would be familiar with its practical uses. In biblical context, the staff represents God's power and presence. It is a tangible reminder of God's call and empowerment of Moses. The staff will later be used to perform miracles, signifying God's direct intervention in the events of the Exodus. This phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience and trust in God's provision.<p><b>so you can perform signs with it.</b><br>The signs are miraculous acts that demonstrate God's power and authenticate Moses' divine commission. These signs are not just for Pharaoh but also for the Israelites, to confirm that God has indeed sent Moses. The use of signs is a recurring theme in Scripture, often serving as a means to reveal God's will and to validate His messengers. In the New Testament, Jesus performs signs and wonders, fulfilling the role of the ultimate prophet and deliverer. The staff, therefore, becomes a type of Christ, symbolizing divine authority and the means through which God accomplishes His purposes.<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 chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. At this point in the account, he is being equipped by God to perform signs to validate his divine commission.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine speaker in this passage, God is instructing Moses on how to demonstrate His power to the Israelites and Pharaoh.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_staff.htm">The Staff</a></b><br>A simple shepherd's staff that becomes a symbol of God's power and authority. It is through this staff that Moses will perform miraculous signs.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites are enslaved and from which God is planning to deliver them through Moses.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/signs.htm">Signs</a></b><br>Miraculous acts that Moses is empowered to perform, serving as evidence of God's presence and authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god_equips_the_called.htm">God Equips the Called</a></b><br>God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Moses, despite his initial reluctance and self-doubt, is given the tools he needs to fulfill God's mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbol_of_authority.htm">Symbol of Authority</a></b><br>The staff represents God's authority and power. In our lives, we must recognize and rely on the authority of God in our actions and decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Moses' use of the staff is an act of faith. We are called to step out in faith, trusting that God will work through us to accomplish His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_leads_to_miracles.htm">Obedience Leads to Miracles</a></b><br>Moses' obedience in taking the staff and performing signs is a reminder that our obedience to God's commands can lead to miraculous outcomes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_the_ordinary.htm">God's Presence in the Ordinary</a></b><br>The transformation of a simple staff into a tool for miracles shows that God can use ordinary things in extraordinary ways. We should be open to how God might use the ordinary aspects of our lives for His glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_moses'_staff_become_a_snake.htm">(Exodus 4:2-5) How could Moses' staff physically transform into a snake and then revert back without any natural or scientific basis?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_trust_one_sign_for_authority_disputes.htm">Why rely on a single supernatural sign to settle authority disputes if similar wonders had already been performed in prior narratives? (Numbers 17:5)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_moses'_hand_heal_instantly.htm">(Exodus 4:6-7) What medical or supernatural explanation could account for Moses' hand becoming leprous and instantly healing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_ten_plagues_in_the_bible.htm">What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">This rod,</span> <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>"the rod that had been changed into a serpent," as the LXX. paraphrase.<p>(18) <span class= "bld">Signs.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">"the</span> signs" (<span class= "greekheb">?? ??????</span><span class= "ital">,</span> LXX.); i.e., the signs which thou wilt have to perform, as already implied in <a href="/exodus/3-20.htm" title="And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the middle thereof: and after that he will let you go.">Exodus 3:20</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt take this rod</span>. Not any rod, but the particular one which had already once become a serpent. <span class="cmt_word">Wherewith thou shalt do signs</span>. Rather, "the signs," <span class="accented">i.e</span>. the signs which thou wilt have to do, as already declared in <a href="/exodus/3-20.htm">Exodus 3:20</a>. It is quite gratuitous to suppose that God had already particularised them <p> CHAPTER 4:18-25 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/4-17.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</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">take</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּקַּ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(tiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">staff</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּטֶּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ham·maṭ·ṭeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> </span><span class="str2">A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your hand</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you can perform</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּעֲשֶׂה־</span> <span class="translit">(ta·‘ă·śeh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">signs with it.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֹתֹֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ō·ṯōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common plural<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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/4-17.htm">OT Law: Exodus 4:17 You shall take this rod in your (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/4-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 4:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 4:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/4-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 4:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 4:18" /></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>