Exodus 4:7
And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁ֖בָה
And he put
H7725
שָׁ֖בָה
And he put
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יָד֖וֹ
his hand
H3027
יָד֖וֹ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 14
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
שָׁ֖בָה
And he put
H7725
שָׁ֖בָה
And he put
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יָד֖וֹ
his hand
H3027
יָד֖וֹ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 14
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
וַיּֽוֹצִאָהּ֙
and plucked
H3318
וַיּֽוֹצִאָהּ֙
and plucked
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
2 Kings 5:14Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.Matthew 8:3And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.Deuteronomy 32:39See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
Historical Context
Instant reversal of advanced skin disease was medically impossible, proving divine intervention. This sign would particularly impact Israelites familiar with leprosy's incurability and social devastation. The restoration "like his flesh" emphasized complete healing, not mere improvement. Miriam's later leprosy and healing (Numbers 12:10-15) would recall this sign at Horeb.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the leprosy sign illustrate both God's judgment on sin and His power to restore completely?
- What 'leprous' areas of your life need God's healing touch to restore them to spiritual health?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh (וַיֹּאמֶר הָשֵׁב יָדְךָ אֶל־חֵיקֶךָ וַיָּשֶׁב יָדוֹ אֶל־חֵיקוֹ וַיּוֹצִאָהּ מֵחֵיקוֹ וְהִנֵּה־שָׁבָה כִּבְשָׂרוֹ)—The healing: Put thine hand into thy bosom again, and it was turned again as his other flesh (שָׁבָה כִּבְשָׂרוֹ, "restored like his flesh"). Instant healing demonstrates God's redemptive power. The dual nature—affliction then restoration—mirrors Israel's experience: judged in Egyptian bondage, then delivered. It also foreshadows the gospel pattern: humanity afflicted by sin (leprosy-like corruption), then healed by God's grace. Moses learns he serves a God who both wounds and heals (Deuteronomy 32:39, Job 5:18).