Exodus 4:19
And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּמִדְיָ֔ן
in Midian
H4080
בְּמִדְיָ֔ן
in Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
5 of 15
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
לֵ֖ךְ
H1980
לֵ֖ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שֻׁ֣ב
return
H7725
שֻׁ֣ב
return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
7 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵ֙תוּ֙
are dead
H4191
מֵ֙תוּ֙
are dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
10 of 15
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
for all the men
H582
הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
for all the men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
הַֽמְבַקְשִׁ֖ים
which sought
H1245
הַֽמְבַקְשִׁ֖ים
which sought
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
13 of 15
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
Cross References
Matthew 2:20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.Exodus 2:23And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.Exodus 2:15Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Historical Context
Approximately 40 years passed between Moses' flight (at age 40, Acts 7:23) and his return (at age 80, Acts 7:30). The pharaoh who sought Moses' death died, likely succeeded by another who continued oppression (2:23). God's delay served multiple purposes: Moses' character formation, changing political circumstances, and timing Israel's cry (2:23-25) with their deliverer's readiness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's timing—keeping Moses in Midian until enemies died—encourage you to trust His perfect schedule in your circumstances?
- What parallels between Moses' return from exile and Jesus' return from Egypt teach about God's consistent protective patterns?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בְּמִדְיָן לֵךְ שׁוּב מִצְרָיְמָה כִּי־מֵתוּ כָּל־הָאֲנָשִׁים הַמְבַקְשִׁים אֶת־נַפְשֶׁךָ)—God gives Moses the all-clear: all the men are dead which sought thy life (כִּי־מֵתוּ כָּל־הָאֲנָשִׁים). Pharaoh who issued the death warrant (2:15) has died (2:23). This echoes Matthew 2:19-20 when God tells Joseph in Egypt that "they are dead which sought the young child's life"—Moses and Jesus both return from exile when enemies die. God's perfect timing protects His servants—He sent Moses away for preparation, now calls him back when safe. Divine providence controls circumstances, opening doors in His perfect time.