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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 4:2 And the LORD asked him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/4-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/02_Exo_04_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 4:2 - Moses' Staff" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And the LORD asked him, What is that in your hand? 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And he said, A rod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So the LORD said to him, “What <i>is</i> that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The LORD said to him, &#8220What is that in your hand?&#8221 And he said, &#8220A staff.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Yahweh said to him, “What is this in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand? ” “A staff,” he replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD asked him, &#8220What is that in your hand?"&#8221 A staff,&#8221 he replied. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jehovah said unto him, What is that in thy hand? And he said, A rod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD answered, "What's that in your hand?" "A walking stick," Moses replied. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.<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 asked him, "What's that in your hand?" He answered, "A shepherd's staff."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So the LORD asked him, "What are you holding?" "A walking stick," he answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"What's that in your hand?" the LORD asked him. Moses answered, "A staff." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD asked him, ?What is that in your hand?? ?A staff,? he replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, What is that in thy hand? And he said, A rod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH says to him, “What [is] this in your hand?” And he says, “A rod”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah saith unto him, 'What is this in thy hand?' and he saith, 'A rod;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah will say to him, What this in thy hand? and he will say, A rod.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then he said to him: What is that thou holdest in thy hand? He answered: A rod. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, he said to him, “What is that you hold in your hand?” He answered, “A staff.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said to him: What is in your hand? “A staff,” he answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, What is that in your hand? He said, A staff.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH said to him, “What is this that is in your hand?”, and he said, “A staff.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD said unto him: 'What is that in thy hand?' And he said: 'A rod.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord said to him, What is this thing that is in thine hand? and he said, A rod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/4-2.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=657" 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' Staff</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’ ” <span class="reftext">2</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.">And the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: maz·zɛh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What is that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ḇə·yā·ḏe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in your hand?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: maṭ·ṭeh (N-ms) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">“A staff,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he replied.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>“Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it.…<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="/numbers/17-8.htm">Numbers 17:8</a></span><br />The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-23.htm">Hebrews 11:23-29</a></span><br />By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict. / By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-30.htm">Acts 7:30-36</a></span><br />After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. / When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight. As he approached to look more closely, the voice of the Lord came to him: / ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-40.htm">1 Samuel 17:40</a></span><br />And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-29.htm">2 Kings 4:29</a></span><br />So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-1.htm">Isaiah 11:1</a></span><br />Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14</a></span><br />Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,<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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-1.htm">Matthew 10:1</a></span><br />And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-12.htm">2 Corinthians 12:12</a></span><br />The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/23-4.htm">Psalm 23:4</a></span><br />Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/37-1.htm">Ezekiel 37:1-10</a></span><br />The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones. / He led me all around among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, and indeed, they were very dry. / Then He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones come to life?” “O Lord GOD,” I replied, “only You know.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-3.htm">Revelation 11:3-6</a></span><br />And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” / These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. / If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. ...<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="/luke/9-1.htm">Luke 9:1-2</a></span><br />Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. / And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD said to him, What is that in your hand? And he said, A rod.</p><p class="hdg">a rod.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-17.htm">Exodus 4:17,20</a></b></br> And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-37.htm">Genesis 30:37</a></b></br> And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which <i>was</i> in the rods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/27-32.htm">Leviticus 27:32</a></b></br> And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, <i>even</i> of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/3-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Staff</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/4-4.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/4-4.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/4-4.htm">Staff</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>And the LORD asked him,</b><br>This phrase highlights a direct communication between God and Moses, emphasizing the personal nature of God's relationship with His chosen leaders. In the context of Exodus, God is preparing Moses for his mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This question is not for God's information but to prompt Moses to recognize what he already possesses. It reflects God's method of using what is already available to accomplish His purposes, a theme seen throughout Scripture, such as in the feeding of the 5,000 with loaves and fishes (<a href="/john/6-9.htm">John 6:9</a>).<p><b>“What is that in your hand?”</b><br>The question draws attention to the ordinary object Moses is holding, a shepherd's staff. This staff symbolizes Moses' identity and occupation as a shepherd, a common profession in the ancient Near East. Shepherds were often seen as humble and lowly, yet God frequently uses the humble to achieve His plans, as seen with David, the shepherd who became king (<a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11-13</a>). The staff will become a tool for God's power, foreshadowing how God can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.<p><b>“A staff,” he replied.</b><br>Moses' response is straightforward, indicating the simplicity of the object. The staff, a tool of his trade, represents authority and support, common in the life of a shepherd. In biblical symbolism, the staff can represent guidance and protection, as seen in <a href="/psalms/23-4.htm">Psalm 23:4</a>, "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." This staff will later become a symbol of God's power when it is used to perform miracles, such as turning into a serpent (<a href="/exodus/4-3.htm">Exodus 4:3</a>) and parting the Red Sea (<a href="/exodus/14-16.htm">Exodus 14:16</a>). The staff's transformation into a tool of divine power prefigures the way Christ uses ordinary elements, like bread and wine, to convey His grace.<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. At this point, he is hesitant and unsure of his ability to fulfill God's command.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>God is speaking directly to Moses, preparing him for the mission to free the Israelites. This interaction is part of a larger dialogue where God reassures Moses of His presence and power.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_staff.htm">The Staff</a></b><br>A simple shepherd's tool that Moses carries, which God will use to perform miracles. It symbolizes God's power working through ordinary means.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/midian.htm">Midian</a></b><br>The region where Moses is tending sheep for his father-in-law, Jethro, when God calls him. It represents a place of preparation and encounter with God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_burning_bush.htm">The Burning Bush</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the context of this conversation. The burning bush is a miraculous sign of God's presence and holiness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god_uses_what_we_have.htm">God Uses What We Have</a></b><br>God often uses the ordinary things in our lives to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. We should not underestimate the potential of what we have in our hands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_power.htm">Trust in God's Power</a></b><br>Like Moses, we may feel inadequate, but God equips and empowers us for the tasks He calls us to. Our confidence should be in His ability, not our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_leads_to_miracles.htm">Obedience Leads to Miracles</a></b><br>Moses' willingness to use his staff as God directed led to miraculous events. Our obedience can open the door for God to work powerfully in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_in_the_wilderness.htm">Preparation in the Wilderness</a></b><br>Moses' time in Midian was a period of preparation. God often uses seasons of waiting and obscurity to prepare us for future service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_our_calling.htm">God's Presence in Our Calling</a></b><br>The burning bush reminds us that God is with us in our calling. His presence is our assurance and strength.<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/what_are_the_ten_plagues_in_the_bible.htm">What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_zech._11_10,_14_staff_breaks_relate.htm">How can the symbolic breaking of the staffs “Favor” and “Union” in Zechariah 11:10 and 14 be reconciled with any known historical or cultural practices? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_saul's_signs_in_1_sam_10_2-7_align_biblically.htm">How do the signs given to Saul in 1 Samuel 10:2–7 align or conflict with other biblical accounts of miraculous signs? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_use_wine_jars_if_god_knows_all.htm">(Jeremiah 13:12–14) Why would an all-knowing God need a metaphor of wine jars to illustrate judgment if He already understands human nature? </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>(2) <span class= "bld">A rod.</span>--Most commentators regard the "rod" of Moses as his shepherd's crook, and this is certainly possible; but the etymology of the word employed seems rather to point to an ordinary staff, or walking-stick. Egyptians of rank usually carried long <span class= "ital">batons; </span>and one suggestion is, that the rod of Moses was "that which he had been accustomed to carry as the son of Pharaoh's daughter." But even if this was still in his possession after forty years of exile, he is not likely to have taken it with him when he went a-shepherding. Probably the "rod" was a common staff, such as a shepherd of eighty years old might need for a support.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A rod</span>. Or "a staff." Some suppose the ordinary shepherd's staff, or crook, to be meant; but it is objected that this would have been an unfit object to have brought into the presence of Pharaoh (Kalisch), being unsuitable for a court, and emblematic of an occupation which the Egyptians loathed (<a href="/genesis/46-34.htm">Genesis 46:34</a>); and the suggestion is therefore made, that it was the <span class="accented">baton</span> or long stick commonly carried by Egyptians of good position and especially by persons in authority. But Moses in Midian, forty years after he quitted Egypt, is not likely to have possessed such an article; nor, if he had possessed it, would he have taken it with him when shepherding. Probably a simple staff, the natural support of a man of advanced years, is meant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/4-2.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</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">asked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֧אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֛יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine 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">“What is that</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶּ֣ה‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">in your hand?”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְיָדֶ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·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">“A staff,”</span><br /><span class="heb">מַטֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(maṭ·ṭeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">he replied.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֖אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/4-2.htm">OT Law: Exodus 4:2 Yahweh said to him What is that (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 4:3" /></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>