Exodus 4:16
And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
Original Language Analysis
וְדִבֶּר
And he shall be thy spokesman
H1696
וְדִבֶּר
And he shall be thy spokesman
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
ה֥וּא
H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָעָ֑ם
unto the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
unto the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְהָ֤יָה
H1961
וְהָ֤יָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יִֽהְיֶה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפֶ֔ה
and he shall be even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth
H6310
לְפֶ֔ה
and he shall be even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
10 of 14
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
Historical Context
The prophet-spokesman relationship established here became paradigmatic. Throughout Israel's history, prophets received God's word and spoke it to people. Moses' unique mediatorial position (receiving Law, interceding for Israel, speaking face-to-face with God) set him apart as the foundational prophet, superseded only by Christ, the ultimate Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' position 'as God' to Aaron illuminate Christ's role as the final and perfect Mediator between God and humanity?
- What does this arrangement teach about the chain of revelation: God speaks to His chosen vessel, who then speaks to others?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God (וְדִבֶּר־הוּא לְךָ אֶל־הָעָם וְהָיָה הוּא יִהְיֶה־לְּךָ לְפֶה וְאַתָּה תִּהְיֶה־לּוֹ לֵאלֹהִים)—The relationship defined: Aaron is Moses' mouth (פֶּה, peh), and Moses is to Aaron as God (לֵאלֹהִים, lElohim). This prophetic pattern appears clearly in 7:1: "I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet." Moses receives revelation; Aaron communicates it. The instead of God phrase doesn't make Moses deity but shows his mediatorial role—standing between God and the people, receiving divine word and transmitting it. This foreshadows Moses' unique position as lawgiver and mediator, typologically pointing to Christ (Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Hebrews 3:1-6).