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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 4:19 Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who sought to kill you are dead."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/4-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/02_Exo_04_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 4:19 - Moses Leaves for Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, Go back to Egypt, for all the men who sought to kill you are dead." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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for all the men who sought your life are dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now the LORD said to Moses in Midian, &#8220Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.”<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 Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life [for killing the Egyptian] are dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now in Midian the LORD told Moses, “Return to Egypt, for all the men who wanted to kill you are dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now in Midian the LORD told Moses, &#8220Return to Egypt, for all the men who wanted to kill you are dead.&#8221<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 Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt; for all the men are dead that sought thy life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But even before this, the LORD had told Moses, "Leave the land of Midian and return to Egypt. Everyone who wanted to kill you is now dead." <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 Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Now, the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, because all the men who wanted to kill you are dead."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />While Moses was still in Midian, the LORD said to him, "Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD told Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, because all the men who wanted to kill you are dead." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, because all the men who were seeking your life are dead."<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 Moses in Midian, "Go, return into Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead."<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 Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt; for all the men are dead who sought thy life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who sought to kill you are dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh said to Moses in Midian, “Go, return into Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.” <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 Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt, for all the men who seek your life have died”;<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 Moses in Midian, 'Go, turn back to Egypt, for all the men have died who seek thy life;'<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 Moses in Midian, Go, turn back to Egypt, for all the men died having sought thy soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord said to Moses, in Madian: Go, and return into Egypt: for they are all dead that sought thy life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so the Lord said to Moses in Midian: “Go, and return to Egypt. For all those who sought your life have died.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses in Midian: Return to Egypt, for all those who sought your life are dead.<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 Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt; for all those who were seeking your life are dead.”<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 Moses in Midian, Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.<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 Moshe in Midian, “Return; go to Egypt, because all of the men who were seeking your life have died.”<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 Moses in Midian: 'Go, return into Egypt; for all the men are dead that sought thy life.'<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 Moses in Madiam, Go, depart into Egypt, for all that sought thy life are dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/4-19.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=826" 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 Leaves for Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18</span>Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied. <span class="reftext">19</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.">Now 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.">had said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/4080.htm" title="4080: bə·miḏ·yān (Prep-b:: N-proper-ms) -- The same as midyan; Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and his descendants.">in Midian,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lêḵ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“Go</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šuḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">back</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·rā·yim (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">to Egypt,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: ham·ḇaq·šîm (Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">who sought</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/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·še·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">to kill you</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mê·ṯū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">are dead.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.…<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="/matthew/2-20.htm">Matthew 2:20</a></span><br />“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-29.htm">Acts 7:29-30</a></span><br />At this remark, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he lived as a foreigner and had two sons. / After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Exodus 2:15</a></span><br />When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-10.htm">Exodus 3:10</a></span><br />Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-18.htm">Exodus 3:18</a></span><br />The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/18-4.htm">Exodus 18:4</a></span><br />The other son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/10-29.htm">Numbers 10:29-32</a></span><br />Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” / “I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.” / “Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-27.htm">Hebrews 11:27</a></span><br />By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-3.htm">Genesis 31:3</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3</a></span><br />“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-34.htm">Acts 7:34</a></span><br />I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-31.htm">Exodus 12:31</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-13.htm">Exodus 14:13</a></span><br />But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-21.htm">Deuteronomy 1:21</a></span><br />See, the LORD your God has placed the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-24.htm">Deuteronomy 2:24</a></span><br />“Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle.</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 Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought your life.</p><p class="hdg">Midian.</p><p class="hdg">for all.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Exodus 2:15,23</a></b></br> Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/2-20.htm">Matthew 2:20</a></b></br> Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_peter/3-1.htm">Attempting</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/4-18.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/exodus/1-14.htm">Life</a> <a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Midian</a> <a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Mid'ian</a> <a href="/exodus/4-18.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/genesis/43-18.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/genesis/37-16.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/exodus/3-3.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm">Wanted</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/8-18.htm">Attempting</a> <a href="/exodus/9-7.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/exodus/7-21.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/4-20.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/4-23.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/exodus/6-18.htm">Life</a> <a href="/exodus/18-1.htm">Midian</a> <a href="/exodus/18-1.htm">Mid'ian</a> <a href="/exodus/4-20.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/7-24.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/exodus/10-11.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/exodus/4-24.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/exodus/4-21.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/exodus/4-24.htm">Wanted</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>Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian</b><br>This phrase indicates divine communication, emphasizing God's direct involvement in guiding Moses. Midian is a region east of the Sinai Peninsula, where Moses fled after killing an Egyptian (<a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Exodus 2:15</a>). It was here that Moses encountered God in the burning bush (<a href="/exodus/3.htm">Exodus 3:1-4</a>). The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah (<a href="/genesis/25.htm">Genesis 25:1-2</a>), highlighting a connection to the broader Abrahamic covenant. This setting underscores Moses' transformation from a fugitive to a leader chosen by God.<p><b>Go back to Egypt</b><br>God's command to return to Egypt signifies a pivotal moment in Moses' life and the history of Israel. Egypt, a powerful and advanced civilization, was where the Israelites were enslaved. This directive marks the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver His people (<a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13-14</a>). Moses' return symbolizes obedience and faith, prefiguring Christ's mission to liberate humanity from sin.<p><b>for all the men who sought to kill you are dead</b><br>This assurance from God addresses Moses' fear of returning to Egypt due to his past actions (<a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Exodus 2:14-15</a>). It reflects God's sovereignty and timing, ensuring Moses' safety. The phrase echoes God's protection and justice, similar to how He dealt with threats to Jesus' life (<a href="/matthew/2-19.htm">Matthew 2:19-20</a>). It also illustrates the theme of divine providence, where God removes obstacles to fulfill His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks directly to Moses, guiding and protecting him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The chosen leader of the Israelites, who is in Midian at this time, having fled from Egypt after killing an Egyptian.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/midian.htm">Midian</a></b><br>A region where Moses fled after leaving Egypt, and where he encountered God in the burning bush.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites are enslaved and where Moses is being sent back to lead them out.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_who_were_seeking_moses'_life.htm">The men who were seeking Moses' life</a></b><br>These were likely Egyptian authorities or individuals who wanted to punish Moses for killing an Egyptian.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_timing_and_protection.htm">Divine Timing and Protection</a></b><br>God’s timing is perfect. He knows when it is safe for Moses to return to Egypt. We can trust God’s timing in our own lives, knowing He sees the bigger picture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God’s Sovereignty</a></b><br>The death of those who sought Moses' life shows God's control over circumstances. We can rest in the assurance that God is sovereign over our lives and situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_call.htm">Obedience to God’s Call</a></b><br>Moses is called to return to a place of danger, yet he obeys. We are called to trust and obey God, even when it leads us into challenging situations.<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 wilderness experiences to prepare us for His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fear_and_faith.htm">Fear and Faith</a></b><br>Moses had reason to fear returning to Egypt, yet God’s assurance allowed him to act in faith. We are encouraged to overcome fear with faith in God’s promises.<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_to_reconcile_moses'_speech_traits.htm">Stephen states Moses was 'mighty in words' (Acts 7:22), but Exodus 4:10 depicts Moses as slow of speech. How do we reconcile these descriptions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doesn't_god_make_everyone_believe.htm">If God can change minds (Exodus 4:21), why doesn't He make everyone believe in Him?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_deut_5_2-3_with_ancestors.htm">Deuteronomy 5:2-3 says the covenant was made with the present generation, yet other passages imply it was made with their ancestors; how do we reconcile this?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_hearing_god.htm">What does the Bible say about hearing God?</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>(19) <span class= "bld">In Midian.</span>--Moses appears to have delayed his departure after he obtained permission to go from Jethro. Hence the address "Go, return," which is peremptory.<p><span class= "bld">All the men which sought thy life.</span>--Not only the Pharaoh (<a href="/exodus/2-23.htm" title="And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up to God by reason of the bondage.">Exodus 2:23</a>), but the kindred of the murdered man, and the officials empowered by the Pharaoh to arrest Moses. As forty years had elapsed since the homicide, this is readily conceivable.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the Lord said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return</span>. It would seem that Moses was still reluctant, and was delaying his departure, even after he had obtained Jethro's leave to go. Perhaps he was making it an excuse to himself for not setting out that if he returned he might still suffer death on account of the offence which had driven him into exile. To remove this last impediment, God assured him that "all the men were dead who had sought his life." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/4-19.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">Now the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֤ה</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">had said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֨אמֶר</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">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<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">Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁה֙</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Midian,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִדְיָ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(bə·miḏ·yān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4080.htm">Strong's 4080: </a> </span><span class="str2">Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settled </span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Go</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">back</span><br /><span class="heb">שֻׁ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(šuḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Egypt,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְרָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·rā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who sought</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמְבַקְשִׁ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ḇaq·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to kill you</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·še·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">are dead.”</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֙תוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ṯū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/4-19.htm">Exodus 4:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/4-19.htm">OT Law: Exodus 4:19 Yahweh said to Moses in Midian Go (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/4-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 4:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 4:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/4-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 4:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 4:20" /></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>