Exodus 4:3
New International Version
The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.

New Living Translation
“Throw it down on the ground,” the LORD told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back.

English Standard Version
And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it.

Berean Standard Bible
“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.

King James Bible
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

New King James Version
And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

New American Standard Bible
Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it turned into a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

NASB 1995
Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

NASB 1977
Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

Amplified Bible
Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a [living] serpent [like the royal symbol on the crown of Pharaoh]; and Moses ran from it.

Christian Standard Bible
“Throw it on the ground,” he said. So Moses threw it on the ground, it became a snake, and he ran from it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from it,

American Standard Version
And he said, Cast in on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

Contemporary English Version
"Throw it down!" the LORD commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back.

English Revised Version
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." When Moses threw it on the ground, it became a snake, and he ran away from it.

Good News Translation
The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." When Moses threw it down, it turned into a snake, and he ran away from it.

International Standard Version
Then God said, "Throw it to the ground." He threw it to the ground and it became a snake. Moses ran away from it.

Majority Standard Bible
“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.

NET Bible
The LORD said, "Throw it to the ground." So he threw it to the ground, and it became a snake, and Moses ran from it.

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Throw it on the ground." He threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses ran away from it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent: and Moses fled from before it.

World English Bible
He said, “Throw it on the ground.” He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses ran away from it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He says, “Cast it to the earth”; and he casts it to the earth, and it becomes a serpent—and Moses flees from its presence.

Young's Literal Translation
and He saith, 'Cast it to the earth;' and he casteth it to the earth, and it becometh a serpent -- and Moses fleeth from its presence.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Cast it upon the earth. And he will cast it upon the earth and it will be into a serpent, and Moses will flee from before it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said: Cast it down upon the ground. He cast it down, and it was turned into a serpent: so that Moses fled from it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord said, “Cast it down upon the ground.” He cast it down, and it was turned into a snake, so that Moses fled away.

New American Bible
God said: Throw it on the ground. So he threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and Moses backed away from it.

New Revised Standard Version
And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw the staff on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses drew back from it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said, “Throw it on the ground”, and he cast it on the ground, and it was a snake and Moshe fled from before it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And He said: 'Cast it on the ground.' And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, Cast it on the ground: and he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses' Staff
2And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3“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. 4“Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.…

Cross References
Numbers 21:8-9
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” / So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.

2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.

John 3:14-15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, / that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

Mark 16:18
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.”

Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.

Acts 28:3-6
Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ...

Genesis 3:1-5
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ...

Psalm 91:13
You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.

Isaiah 11:8
The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest.

Matthew 7:10
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 20:2
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

1 Corinthians 10:9
We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.

Deuteronomy 8:15
He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

it became.

Exodus 4:17
And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

Exodus 7:10-15
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent…

Amos 5:19
As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

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Exodus 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.














Throw it on the ground
This command from God to Moses is direct and authoritative, reflecting the divine authority and power that God holds. The Hebrew word for "throw" is "shalak," which implies a forceful action, suggesting that Moses is to act decisively and without hesitation. This command is a test of obedience and faith, as Moses must trust in God's instructions even when they seem unusual or daunting. Historically, this moment is significant as it marks the beginning of Moses' journey as a leader and prophet, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's will.

he said
The phrase "he said" refers to God speaking to Moses. In the Hebrew text, the word "amar" is used, which is a common verb for speaking or saying. This highlights the personal and direct communication between God and Moses, a theme that is prevalent throughout the book of Exodus. It underscores the intimate relationship that God desires to have with His chosen leaders and, by extension, with His people.

So Moses threw it on the ground
Moses' action of throwing the staff on the ground is an act of faith and compliance. The Hebrew word "shalak" is used again here, reinforcing the idea of deliberate action. This moment is pivotal as it demonstrates Moses' willingness to follow God's command, setting a precedent for his future leadership. It also serves as a reminder that faith often requires action, even when the outcome is uncertain.

and it became a snake
The transformation of the staff into a snake is miraculous and serves as a sign of God's power. The Hebrew word for snake is "nachash," which can also mean serpent. This transformation is symbolic, as snakes were often associated with power and danger in ancient cultures, including Egypt. By turning the staff into a snake, God is demonstrating His supremacy over the natural world and the gods of Egypt, foreshadowing the plagues and miracles that will follow.

and he ran from it
Moses' reaction of running from the snake is a natural human response to fear and the unexpected. The Hebrew word "nuws" means to flee or escape, indicating a swift and instinctive reaction. This moment of fear highlights Moses' humanity and vulnerability, reminding us that even great leaders experience fear and doubt. It also sets the stage for God's reassurance and empowerment of Moses, illustrating that God equips those He calls, even in the face of fear.

(3) A serpent.--The word here used (nakhash) is a generic one for a snake of any kind, and tells us nothing as to the species. A different word (tannin) is used in Exodus 7:10, while nakhash recurs in Exodus 7:15. Tannin is, like nakhash, a generic term.

And Moses fled from before it--It was natural for Moses to remember his alarm, and record it. Any-later writer would have passed over so small a circumstance. (See the Introduction, p. 3.)

Verse 3. - It became a serpent. The word here used for "serpent," nakhash, is a generic word applicable to any species of snake. We cannot assume that the cobra is the serpent meant, though no doubt Moses, when he fled from before it, believed it to be a venomous serpent. Various reasons for God's choice of this particular sign have been given. Perhaps the best is, that a trick of the kind was known to the Egyptian conjurors, who would be tempted to exhibit it in order to discredit Moses, and would then be discredited themselves by his stick swallowing theirs. (See Exodus 7:10-12.) It is fanciful to suppose a reference either to the serpent of Genesis 3. (Keil and Delitzsch) or to the uraeus (cobra), which the Egyptian kings bore in their headdress as a mark of sovereignty {Canon Cook)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Throw
הַשְׁלִיכֵ֣הוּ (haš·lî·ḵê·hū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

it on the ground,”
אַ֔רְצָה (’ar·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

said [the Lord].
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

So [Moses] threw
וַיַּשְׁלִיכֵ֥הוּ (way·yaš·lî·ḵê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

it on the ground,
אַ֖רְצָה (’ar·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and it became
וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a snake,
לְנָחָ֑שׁ (lə·nā·ḥāš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5175: A serpent

and [he]
מֹשֶׁ֖ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

ran
וַיָּ֥נָס (way·yā·nās)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

from it.
מִפָּנָֽיו׃ (mip·pā·nāw)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT Law: Exodus 4:3 He said Throw it on the ground (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 4:2
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