Exodus 4:8

Exodus 4:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And the LORD said, “If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second.

King James Version KJV

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

American Standard Version ASV

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And if they do not have faith in you or give ear to the voice of the first sign, they will have faith in the second sign.

Free Bible Version FBV

“If they don't believe you and they're not convinced by the first sign, they'll believe because of the second sign,” the Lord explained.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

So shall it be, if they wil not beleeue thee, neither obey the voyce of ye first signe, yet shall they beleeue for the voyce of the seconde signe.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

' — and it hath come to pass, if they do not give credence to thee, and hearken not to the voice of the first sign, that they have given credence to the voice of the latter sign.

World English Bible WEB

“It will happen, if they will not believe you or listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

If they will not believe thee, saith he, nor hear the voice of the former sign, they will believe the word of the latter sign.

Translation for Translators T4T

God said, “You can do that in front of the Israeli people, too. If they do not pay attention to what you say because of seeing the first miracle, they will ◄believe you/be convinced► when you perform the second miracle.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 4:8

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Exodus 4:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/הָיָה֙ אִם לֹ֣א יַאֲמִ֣ינוּ לָ֔/ךְ וְ/לֹ֣א יִשְׁמְע֔וּ לְ/קֹ֖ל הָ/אֹ֣ת הָ/רִאשׁ֑וֹן וְ/הֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ לְ/קֹ֖ל הָ/אֹ֥ת הָ/אַחֲרֽוֹן

וְ/הָיָה֙ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-3ms

אִם ʼim H518 if Conj

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part

יַאֲמִ֣ינוּ ʼâman H539 be faithful V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp

לָ֔/ךְ Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יִשְׁמְע֔וּ shâmaʻ H8085 to hear V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

לְ/קֹ֖ל qôwl H6963 voice Prep | N-ms

הָ/אֹ֣ת ʼôwth H226 sign Art | N-cs

הָ/רִאשׁ֑וֹן riʼshôwn H7223 first Art | Adj

וְ/הֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ ʼâman H539 be faithful Conj | V-Hiphil-3cp

לְ/קֹ֖ל qôwl H6963 voice Prep | N-ms

הָ/אֹ֥ת ʼôwth H226 sign Art | N-cs

הָ/אַחֲרֽוֹן ʼachărôwn H314 last Art | Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 4:8

וְ/הָיָה֙ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj

This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.

Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

יַאֲמִ֣ינוּ ʼâman H539 "be faithful" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to be faithful or trustworthy, as seen in the KJV translations. It can also mean to support or confirm something, and is used in passages like Psalm 37:3 to describe trusting in God. The concept of faithfulness is central to the book of Proverbs.

Definition: 1) to support, confirm, be faithful 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish 1a1a) foster-father (subst.) 1a1b) foster-mother, nurse 1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm 1b1a) to be carried by a nurse 1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting 1b1c) confirmed, established, sure 1b1d) verified, confirmed 1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in 1c1a) stand firm 1c1b) trust, believe Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)

Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: hence, assurance, believe, bring up, establish, [phrase] fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right. See also: Genesis 15:6; Job 24:22; Psalms 12:2.

לָ֔/ךְ "" Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

יִשְׁמְע֔וּ shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.

Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound

Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.

לְ/קֹ֖ל qôwl H6963 "voice" Prep | N-ms

A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.

Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)

Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.

הָ/אֹ֣ת ʼôwth H226 "sign" Art | N-cs

A miraculous sign or wonder, like a beacon or monument. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It means a signal or token of God's power.

Definition: : miraculous 1) sign, signal 1a) a distinguishing mark 1b) banner 1c) remembrance 1d) miraculous sign 1e) omen 1f) warning 2) token, ensign, standard, miracle, proof

Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token. See also: Genesis 1:14; Joshua 2:12; Psalms 65:9.

הָ/רִאשׁ֑וֹן riʼshôwn H7223 "first" Art | Adj

This word means 'first' or 'primary', referring to something that comes before others in time, place, or rank. It is used to describe the first or most important thing in a series or list.

Definition: : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. See also: Genesis 8:13; 1 Chronicles 27:3; Psalms 79:8.

וְ/הֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ ʼâman H539 "be faithful" Conj | V-Hiphil-3cp

לְ/קֹ֖ל qôwl H6963 "voice" Prep | N-ms

A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.

Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)

הָ/אֹ֥ת ʼôwth H226 "sign" Art | N-cs

A miraculous sign or wonder, like a beacon or monument. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It means a signal or token of God's power.

Definition: : miraculous 1) sign, signal 1a) a distinguishing mark 1b) banner 1c) remembrance 1d) miraculous sign 1e) omen 1f) warning 2) token, ensign, standard, miracle, proof

Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token. See also: Genesis 1:14; Joshua 2:12; Psalms 65:9.

הָ/אַחֲרֽוֹן ʼachărôwn H314 "last" Art | Adj

This Hebrew word means last or western, and can refer to something that is behind or following something else. It is used in the Bible to describe things that are late or last in time or location.

Definition: 1) behind, following, subsequent, western 1a) behind, hindermost, western (of location) 1b) later, subsequent, latter, last (of time)

Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most. See also: Genesis 33:2; 2 Chronicles 28:26; Psalms 48:14.

Study Notes — Exodus 4:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Exodus 4:8 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 4:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 4:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 4:8
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 4:8
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 4:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 4:8
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 4:8
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 4:8
Sermons on Exodus 4:8

Context — Moses’ Hand

6Furthermore, the LORD said to Moses, “Put your hand inside your cloak. ” So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous, white as snow. 7“Put your hand back inside your cloak,” said the LORD. So Moses put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his skin.

8And the LORD said, “If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second.

9But if they do not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. Then the water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.” 10“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 28:10	For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.”
2	Deuteronomy 32:39	See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
3	Exodus 4:30–31	and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.
4	2 Kings 5:7	When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”
5	Job 5:18	For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.
6	John 12:37	Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.

Exodus 4:8 Summary

Exodus 4:8 shows that God is patient and wants people to believe in Him, so He gives them multiple chances to see His power and authority, as seen in the two signs performed by Moses. This verse teaches us that God is a God of second chances, and He wants us to trust in Him, even when we have doubts or fears, as encouraged in Psalm 23:4 and Jeremiah 29:11. Just like Moses, we can trust that God will be with us and help us overcome our weaknesses, as promised in Exodus 4:12 and Deuteronomy 31:6. By looking at the signs and wonders in the Bible, such as those in Exodus 7-12, we can see God's power and authority at work and be encouraged to trust in Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the two signs mentioned in Exodus 4:8?

The two signs are the leprous hand and its restoration, as described in Exodus 4:6-7, which serve as witnesses to God's power and authority, similar to the signs and wonders performed through Moses in Exodus 7:9 and Exodus 10:1-2.

Why did God give Moses multiple signs to perform?

God gave Moses multiple signs to perform because He knew that the people might not believe Moses after seeing just one sign, as seen in Exodus 4:8, and this is consistent with the principle that a matter should be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses, as stated in Deuteronomy 19:15.

What happens if the people still refuse to believe after seeing the two signs?

If the people still refuse to believe after seeing the two signs, God instructs Moses to perform a third sign, which involves turning water from the Nile into blood, as described in Exodus 4:9, demonstrating God's patience and desire for the people to believe and repent, similar to the patience shown in Romans 2:4.

How does this verse relate to the concept of faith and doubt?

This verse highlights the struggle between faith and doubt, as Moses is instructed to perform signs to convince the people of God's presence and power, and it illustrates the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7, and the need to overcome doubts and fears, as encouraged in Isaiah 41:10 and Hebrews 11:1.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I am struggling to trust God, and how can I apply the lessons from Exodus 4:8 to those situations?
How do I respond when faced with doubts or fears, and what can I learn from Moses' experiences in Exodus 4:1-12?
In what ways can I use the signs and wonders in my life to point others to God's power and authority, as described in Acts 2:43 and Acts 5:12?
What does this verse teach me about God's patience and desire for people to believe and repent, and how can I reflect that patience in my own relationships with others, as seen in 2 Peter 3:9?

Gill's Exposition on Exodus 4:8

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee,.... Will not give credit to the commission he had from God, but question the truth of it: neither hearken to the voice of the first sign;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 4:8

And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 4:8

To the voice of the first sign; to the voice or word of God delivered and confirmed by the first sign. For Moses did not make dumb shows before them, but acquainted them with the mind of God therein. Or he saith the voice, to note that God’ s works have a voice to speak to us, which we must diligently observe. See .

Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 4:8

Exodus 4:8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.Ver. 8. The voice of the first sign.] God’ s signs have a voice, and words. They speak not only to our eyes, but ears; as those many prodigies did before the last desolation of Jerusalem; as the terrible tempest at Rome in 1516, - the same year that Luther began to stir, - that so struck the church where Pope Leo was creating his cardinals, that it removed the child Jesus out of the lap of his mother, and the keys out of St Peter’ s hand. So the two suns seen in London at the coming in of King Philip on Feb. 15, 1553: the new star in Cassiopeia in 1572: the prodigious comet in 1618, &c. Oυδειςκωμητηςοστιςουκακονφερει.

Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 4:8

(8) The voice of the first sign.—Not “the voice of Moses witnessed to by the first sign” (Rosenmüller), but the voice, which the sign itself might be regarded as uttering. (Comp. Psalms 105:27, where Moses and Aaron are said to have proclaimed “the words of God’s signs.”) A miracle speaks to men. They will believe, i.e., most of them. Accustomed to the tricks of the serpent charmers (see Exodus 7:11 and comment ad loc.), the Israelites might be unmoved by the sight of the first miracle. They were then to be shown the second, which would be much more astonishing to them, having no parallel in their experience. This would persuade the greater number. As some, however, might still doubt, a third sign was provided. God is patient with all reasonable doubt.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 4:8

Verse 8. If they will not believe - the voice of the first sign, c.] Probably intimating that some would be more difficult to be persuaded than others: some would yield to the evidence of the first miracle others would hesitate till they had seen the second; and others would not believe till they had seen the water of the Nile turned into blood, when poured upon the dry land; Exodus 4:9.

Cambridge Bible on Exodus 4:8

1–9. Moses’ third difficulty: in spite of the assurance of Exo 3:18 a, the Israelites will perhaps not listen to him, or believe in his divine commission. To enable him to meet this contingency, he is endowed with the power of performing three signs, which may serve as credentials of his commission.

Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 4:8

8. First sign… latter sign — These signs are God’s voiceless but visible words to the people. But, like all other words, they may be heard or not, at the hearer’s option. No conceivable miracle can compel conviction.

Sermons on Exodus 4:8

	Sermon	Description
	Everybody's Sermon by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that even those who are not able to spend much time in nature can still learn from God's creation. He gives examples such as a baker who see
	(Hosea) Reaping the Whirlwind by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about the value of honesty, using the example of a man who planned to steal watermelons with his daughter's help. However, each time the
	Episodes in Life of T/lord 08 Healing on the Sabbath by Robert Constable	In this sermon, the preacher uses an illustration involving a man with a withered hand to emphasize the importance of true commitment to Christ. He highlights the tendency of peopl
	Revival Begins in the House of God by Ralph Ovadal	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for individuals to acknowledge and repent for wasting their lives. He encourages humility and acceptance of wrongdoing, urging list
	Studies in Hebrews - Part 2 by Ken Baird	In this sermon, the preacher compares Jesus Christ with four different groups of people: angels, prophets, apostles, and priests. He emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate source of
	Nanaimo Camp by George Warnock	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sin of Adam and the power of Jesus' blood. He explains that through the incorruptible blood of Jesus, beli
	How Much Time for the Bible? by R. Stanley	R. Stanley delivers a sermon emphasizing the importance of spending quality time with the Bible, comparing it to the hard work of bees in producing honey. He highlights the need fo