Exodus 4:15
And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.
Original Language Analysis
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֣
And thou shalt speak
H1696
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֣
And thou shalt speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְשַׂמְתָּ֥
unto him and put
H7760
וְשַׂמְתָּ֥
unto him and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 17
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
פִּ֔יהוּ
and I will be with thy mouth
H6310
פִּ֔יהוּ
and I will be with thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
6 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
אֶֽהְיֶ֤ה
H1961
אֶֽהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
9 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
פִּ֔יהוּ
and I will be with thy mouth
H6310
פִּ֔יהוּ
and I will be with thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
10 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וְעִם
H5973
וְעִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
11 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
פִּ֔יהוּ
and I will be with thy mouth
H6310
פִּ֔יהוּ
and I will be with thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
12 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וְהֽוֹרֵיתִ֣י
and will teach
H3384
וְהֽוֹרֵיתִ֣י
and will teach
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Isaiah 51:16And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.Deuteronomy 18:18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.Numbers 23:16And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.Numbers 23:5And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.Numbers 23:12And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?Isaiah 59:21As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.Jeremiah 1:9Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.Exodus 4:12Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.Matthew 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Historical Context
Moses-Aaron partnership functioned during the Exodus and wilderness years, though tensions emerged (Numbers 12:1-2 when Aaron and Miriam challenged Moses; Exodus 32 with the golden calf). The pattern of prophet (Moses) and spokesman (Aaron) illustrated but also complicated leadership. Later, Moses would speak directly to Israel (Deuteronomy), showing growth beyond his earlier fears.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Moses-Aaron partnership illustrate God's patience with our fears while showing the complications of resisting His best plan?
- What 'second-best' arrangements have you insisted upon, and how has God worked through them despite their limitations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do (וְדִבַּרְתָּ אֵלָיו וְשַׂמְתָּ אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים בְּפִיו וְאָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה עִם־פִּיךָ וְעִם־פִּיהוּ וְהוֹרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשׂוּן)—The new arrangement: Moses receives God's word and speaks to Aaron; Aaron speaks to the people/Pharaoh. I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth—God's enabling extends to both. Teach you what ye shall do—God provides content and strategy. This partnership model works initially but creates dependency that later proves problematic. The ideal was Moses' direct communication; God's accommodation to Moses' fear created mediated communication. Sometimes God grants our requests but they're second-best (cf. Israel demanding a king, 1 Samuel 8).