Exodus 4:2
And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מַזֶּה
H2088
בְיָדֶ֑ךָ
unto him What is that in thine hand
H3027
בְיָדֶ֑ךָ
unto him What is that in thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Exodus 4:20And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.Exodus 4:17And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.Leviticus 27:32And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.Psalms 110:2The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.Micah 7:14Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.Genesis 30:37And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
Historical Context
The shepherd's rod (matteh) was typically 4-6 feet long, used for guiding, protecting, and disciplining sheep. This same Hebrew word means both "rod/staff" and "tribe" (matteh), connecting Moses' leadership tool to tribal authority. The rod becomes Moses' signature symbol throughout Exodus, wielded to demonstrate God's power over nature, empires, and spiritual forces.
Questions for Reflection
- What ordinary 'rod' in your hand might God want to transform for extraordinary purposes?
- How does God's question 'What is in your hand?' challenge you to offer what you already have rather than waiting for new resources?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod (וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו יְהוָה מַזֶּה בְיָדֶךָ וַיֹּאמֶר מַטֶּה)—God's question focuses Moses on what he already possesses. A rod (מַטֶּה, matteh)—the shepherd's staff, Moses' ordinary tool for 40 years. God specializes in using the ordinary—shepherd's staff, widow's mite, boy's lunch, fishermen, tax collectors. The rod will become the rod of God (4:20), instrument of miracles: water to blood, parting the Red Sea, striking the rock. This question teaches that God doesn't always provide new resources—He transforms what we already have when consecrated to His purposes.