Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” New Living Translation But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” English Standard Version But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Berean Standard Bible “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.” King James Bible And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. New King James Version Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” New American Standard Bible Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” NASB 1995 Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” NASB 1977 Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Legacy Standard Bible Then Moses said to Yahweh, “Please, Lord, I have never been a man of words, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your slave; for I am one with a hard mouth and a hard tongue.” Amplified Bible Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.” Christian Standard Bible But Moses replied to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since you have been speaking to your servant—because my mouth and my tongue are sluggish.” Holman Christian Standard Bible But Moses replied to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since You have been speaking to Your servant—because I am slow and hesitant in speech.” American Standard Version And Moses said unto Jehovah, Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. Contemporary English Version Moses replied, "I have never been a good speaker. I wasn't one before you spoke to me, and I'm not one now. I am slow at speaking, and I can never think of what to say." English Revised Version And Moses said unto the LORD, Oh Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. GOD'S WORD® Translation Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I'm not a good speaker. I've never been a good speaker, and I'm not now, even though you've spoken to me. I speak slowly, and I become tongue-tied easily." Good News Translation But Moses said, "No, LORD, don't send me. I have never been a good speaker, and I haven't become one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant." International Standard Version Then Moses told the LORD, "Please, LORD, I'm not eloquent. I never was in the past nor am I now since you spoke to your servant. In fact, I talk too slowly and I have a speech impediment." Majority Standard Bible “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.” NET Bible Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not an eloquent man, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." New Heart English Bible Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Webster's Bible Translation And Moses said to the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoke to thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. World English Bible Moses said to Yahweh, “O Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Moses says to YHWH, “O my Lord, I [am] not a man of words, either yesterday, or before, or since Your speaking to Your servant, for I [am] slow of mouth, and slow of tongue.” Young's Literal Translation And Moses saith unto Jehovah, 'O, my Lord, I am not a man of words, either yesterday, or before, or since Thy speaking unto Thy servant, for I am slow of mouth, and slow of tongue.' Smith's Literal Translation And Moses will say to Jehovah, With leave my Lord, not a man of words, also from yesterday, also from the third day, also from the time of thy speaking to thy servant; for I being heavy of mouth, and heavy of tongue. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMoses said: I beseech thee, Lord. I am not eloquent from yesterday and the day before: and since thou hast spoken to thy servant, I have more impediment and slowness of tongue. Catholic Public Domain Version Moses said: “I beg you, O Lord, I was not eloquent yesterday or the day before. And from the time that you have spoken to your servant, I have a greater impediment and slowness of tongue.” New American Bible Moses, however, said to the LORD, “If you please, my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and tongue.” New Revised Standard Version But Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Moses said to the LORD. I beseech thee, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since thou has spoken to thy servant; for I am a stutterer and slow of speech. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Moshe said to LORD JEHOVAH, “I beg of you my Lord, I have not been a man who is articulate, even from yesterday or from the day before yesterday, also from the time that you have spoken with your Servant, because I am a stutterer in speaking and slow of tongue.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Moses said unto the LORD: 'Oh Lord, I am not a man of words, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Moses said to the Lord, I pray, Lord, I have not been sufficient in former times, neither from the time that thou hast begun to speak to thy servant: I am weak in speech, and slow-tongued. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Appointment of Aaron10“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.” 11And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?… Cross References Jeremiah 1:6 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” Isaiah 6:5-7 Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” / Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. / And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.” Acts 7:22 So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. / For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. / I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. ... 2 Corinthians 11:6 Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible. Matthew 10:19-20 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Acts 4:13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / 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. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. Psalm 94:9-10 He who affixed the ear, can He not hear? He who formed the eye, can He not see? / He who admonishes the nations, does He not discipline? He who teaches man, does He lack knowledge? Psalm 103:14 For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust. Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Treasury of Scripture And Moses said to the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since you have spoken to your servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. eloquent. Exodus 4:1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. Job 12:2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God… heretofore. Exodus 6:12 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? Jeremiah 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. Acts 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. Jump to Previous Either Eloquent Hard Heretofore Moses Past Please Recently Servant Slow Speech Talking Time Tongue WordsJump to Next Either Eloquent Hard Heretofore Moses Past Please Recently Servant Slow Speech Talking Time Tongue WordsExodus 4 1. Moses's rod is turned into a serpent.6. His hand is leprous. 10. He loathes his calling. 13. Aaron is appointed to assist him. 18. Moses departs from Jethro. 21. God's message to Pharaoh. 24. Zipporah circumcises her son. 27. Aaron is sent to meet Moses. 29. The people believe them. Please, Lord The phrase "Please, Lord" reflects Moses' humility and reverence as he addresses God. The Hebrew word for "Lord" here is "Adonai," which signifies a master or sovereign. This title acknowledges God's authority and Moses' submission to His will. In the context of Moses' life, this plea is a moment of vulnerability, showing his reluctance and fear in accepting the divine mission. It is a reminder of the importance of approaching God with humility and recognizing His sovereignty in our lives. 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 Neither heretofore.--Heb., neither yesterday, nor the day before. It is a Hebrew idiom to make these words cover past time generally. (See below, Exodus 5:7-8; Exodus 5:14; and comp. Genesis 31:2; Genesis 31:5, and 2Samuel 3:17.) . . . Verse 10. - And Moses said, O my Lord. The phrase used by Moses is full of force. It is "vox dolentis et supplicantis" (Noldius). Joseph's brethren use it to the steward of Joseph's house, when they expect to be fallen upon and taken for bondsmen (Genesis 43:20); Judah used it (Genesis 44:18) when pleading with Joseph for Benjamin; Aaron when pleading for Miriam (Numbers 13:11); Joshua when expostulating with God about Ai (Joshua 7:8). There is a deprecatory idea in it, as well as a supplicatory one; an idea like that which Abraham expanded into the words, "Oh! let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once" (Genesis 18:32). Moses feels that he is trying the patience of God to the uttermost; but yet he must make one more effort to escape his mission. I am not eloquent. Literally, as in the margin, "a man of words." "Words do not come readily to my tongue when I attempt to speak; I have never been a fluent speaker, neither yesterday (i.e. recently) nor the day before (i.e. formerly). Nor do I even find that I have become eloquent by divine inspiration since thou spakest with me. Still I remain slow of speech and slow of tongue." A question is raised whether the mere difficulty of finding words and giving them utterance - a difficulty felt at first by almost every speaker - is here meant, or something further, as "a natural impediment owing to defect in the organs of speech" (Kalisch), or a want of readiness, owing to disuse, in speaking the Hebrew language (Clarke). The latter suggestion is scarcely consistent with the ease and fluency with which Moses had carried on the conversation in Hebrew up to this point. The former is a possible meaning, though not a necessary one. According to a Jewish tradition, Moses had a difficulty in pronouncing the labials b, v, m, ph, p.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Please,בִּ֣י (bî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 994: Oh that!, with leave, if it please Lord,” אֲדֹנָי֒ (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord Moses מֹשֶׁ֣ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver replied, וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “I אָנֹ֗כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I have never לֹא֩ (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no been eloquent, דְּבָרִ֜ים (də·ḇā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause neither גַּ֤ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and in the past מִתְּמוֹל֙ (mit·tə·mō·wl) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 8543: Ago, a, time since, yesterday, day before yesterday nor גַּ֛ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and since מֵאָ֥ז (mê·’āz) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore You have spoken דַּבֶּרְךָ (dab·ber·ḵā) Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Your servant, עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ (‘aḇ·de·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant for כִּ֧י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I אָנֹֽכִי׃ (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I am slow כְבַד־ (ḵə·ḇaḏ-) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 3515: Heavy of speech פֶּ֛ה (peh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to and וּכְבַ֥ד (ū·ḵə·ḇaḏ) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 3515: Heavy tongue.” לָשׁ֖וֹן (lā·šō·wn) Noun - common singular Strong's 3956: The tongue Links Exodus 4:10 NIVExodus 4:10 NLT Exodus 4:10 ESV Exodus 4:10 NASB Exodus 4:10 KJV Exodus 4:10 BibleApps.com Exodus 4:10 Biblia Paralela Exodus 4:10 Chinese Bible Exodus 4:10 French Bible Exodus 4:10 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 4:10 Moses said to Yahweh Oh Lord (Exo. 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