Bible Strands
Exodus 6:12
But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the LORD in His presence immediately after receiving the command to demand Israel’s release from Pharaoh. This exchange occurs between God’s initial directive in Exodus 6:11 and His renewed charge to Moses and Aaron in Exodus 6:13.
The words — The phrase לִ/פְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה (li/f.Nei Yah.weh) translates literally as “before Yahweh,” locating Moses’ response. The verb וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר (va/y.da.Ber) means “and he spoke,” introducing his direct reply to God.
The thread — Moses cites his lack of eloquence in Exodus 4:10 and repeats the same objection in Exodus 6:30. Jeremiah 1:6 records a parallel hesitation when the prophet declares he cannot speak because he is only a child.
Why it lands — The text records Moses’ factual objection to his own fitness for the commission before God responds. It requires the reader to note how divine instruction proceeds without waiting for human self-assessment of adequacy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
Cross-references
- Exodus 4:10 “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.”
- Exodus 6:30 But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “Since I am unskilled in speech, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”
- Jeremiah 1:6 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
- Jeremiah 6:10 To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.
- Exodus 6:9 Moses relayed this message to the Israelites, but on account of their broken spirit and cruel bondage, they did not listen to him.
- Leviticus 26:41 and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity,
- Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
- Exodus 3:13 Then Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?”
- Exodus 4:29 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites,
- Exodus 5:19 The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.”