Exodus 4:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֮
unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֮
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹא֩
H3808
לֹא֩
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אִ֨ישׁ
H582
אִ֨ישׁ
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
דְּבָרִ֜ים
am not eloquent
H1697
דְּבָרִ֜ים
am not eloquent
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 25
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
גַּ֤ם
H1571
גַּ֤ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
מִתְּמוֹל֙
H8543
מִתְּמוֹל֙
Strong's:
H8543
Word #:
12 of 25
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
גַּ֣ם
H1571
גַּ֣ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
מִשִּׁלְשֹׁ֔ם
neither heretofore
H8032
מִשִּׁלְשֹׁ֔ם
neither heretofore
Strong's:
H8032
Word #:
14 of 25
trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday
גַּ֛ם
H1571
גַּ֛ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
מֵאָ֥ז
nor since
H227
מֵאָ֥ז
nor since
Strong's:
H227
Word #:
16 of 25
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
דַּבֶּרְךָ
thou hast spoken
H1696
דַּבֶּרְךָ
thou hast spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
17 of 25
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כִּ֧י
H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וּכְבַ֥ד
and of a slow
H3515
וּכְבַ֥ד
and of a slow
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
21 of 25
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
פֶּ֛ה
of speech
H6310
פֶּ֛ה
of speech
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
22 of 25
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וּכְבַ֥ד
and of a slow
H3515
וּכְבַ֥ד
and of a slow
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
23 of 25
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
Cross References
Jeremiah 1:6Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.Exodus 6:12And 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?Acts 7:22And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.Exodus 4:1And 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.2 Corinthians 11:6But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.2 Corinthians 10:10For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.Job 12:2No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
Historical Context
Egyptian court culture prized eloquence—scribes, administrators, and officials needed rhetorical skill. Moses perhaps felt inadequate returning to that context after 40 years as shepherd. Or perhaps he had actual speech difficulty (cf. 6:12, 30 where Moses mentions "uncircumcised lips"). Regardless, God used Moses' perceived weakness to showcase divine enablement—the message's power came from God, not human eloquence (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' speech difficulty encourage you that God uses weak, inadequate vessels to accomplish His purposes?
- What perceived inadequacies in your life might God intend to use to showcase His power rather than your abilities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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 (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־יְהוָה בִּי אֲדֹנָי לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי גַּם מִתְּמוֹל גַּם מִשִּׁלְשֹׁם גַּם מֵאָז דַּבֶּרְךָ אֶל־עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי כְבַד־פֶּה וּכְבַד לָשׁוֹן אָנֹכִי)—Moses' second objection: inadequate speech. Not eloquent... slow of speech, and of a slow tongue (לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים... כְבַד־פֶּה וּכְבַד לָשׁוֹן, "not a man of words... heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue"). This may indicate a speech impediment, trauma from his Egyptian life, or simply lack of rhetorical training for his new mission. Acts 7:22 says Moses was "mighty in words"—perhaps his 40 years in Midian cost him oratorical polish. God's response (vv. 11-12) teaches that He creates abilities and compensates for disabilities. Moses learned that God's power perfects through weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).