Exodus 4:8
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְהֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ
And it shall come to pass if they will not believe
H539
וְהֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ
And it shall come to pass if they will not believe
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁמְע֔וּ
thee neither hearken
H8085
יִשְׁמְע֔וּ
thee neither hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הָאֹ֥ת
sign
H226
הָאֹ֥ת
sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
9 of 14
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
of the first
H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
of the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
10 of 14
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
וְהֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ
And it shall come to pass if they will not believe
H539
וְהֶֽאֱמִ֔ינוּ
And it shall come to pass if they will not believe
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
Cross References
Isaiah 28:10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: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
Israel's 400 years of bondage likely witnessed failed liberation attempts and false messiahs, creating understandable skepticism. God's provision of multiple signs shows wisdom—He doesn't expect blind faith but provides reasonable evidence. The graduated signs (if the first doesn't convince, try the second) demonstrate God's patient accommodation to human weakness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision of multiple signs encourage you that He understands and accommodates honest doubt?
- What 'signs' has God given you progressively to build faith when initial doubts remained?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign (וְהָיָה אִם־לֹא יַאֲמִינוּ לָךְ וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ לְקֹל הָאֹת הָרִאשׁוֹן וְהֶאֱמִינוּ לְקֹל הָאֹת הָאַחֲרוֹן)—God's patient provision: if they will not believe... the first sign... the latter sign. God knows human weakness and provides multiple confirmations. Voice of the sign (קֹל הָאֹת, qol ha'ot)—signs "speak," testifying to God's power. The progression from rod-to-serpent (power over forces of evil) to leprosy-healing (power over sin/disease) moves from external authority to personal transformation. God's patience with skepticism shows His understanding of human frailty—He provides sufficient evidence for faith.