King James Version

What Does Exodus 4:10 Mean?

Exodus 4:10 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore , nor since thou hast spoken unto thy ser...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore , nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. eloquent: Heb. a man of words heretofore: Heb. since yesterday, nor since the third day”

Exodus 4:10 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land. shall become: Heb. shall be and shall be

10

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore , nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. eloquent: Heb. a man of words heretofore: Heb. since yesterday, nor since the third day

11

And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

12

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Read Exodus 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־יְהוָה בִּי אֲדֹנָי לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי גַּם מִתְּמוֹל גַּם מִשִּׁלְשֹׁם גַּם מֵאָז דַּבֶּרְךָ אֶל־עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי כְבַד־פֶּה וּכְבַד לָשׁוֹן אָנֹכִי)—Moses' second objection: inadequate speech. Not eloquent... slow of speech, and of a slow tongue (לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים... כְבַד־פֶּה וּכְבַד לָשׁוֹן, "not a man of words... heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue"). This may indicate a speech impediment, trauma from his Egyptian life, or simply lack of rhetorical training for his new mission. Acts 7:22 says Moses was "mighty in words"—perhaps his 40 years in Midian cost him oratorical polish. God's response (vv. 11-12) teaches that He creates abilities and compensates for disabilities. Moses learned that God's power perfects through weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egyptian court culture prized eloquence—scribes, administrators, and officials needed rhetorical skill. Moses perhaps felt inadequate returning to that context after 40 years as shepherd. Or perhaps he had actual speech difficulty (cf. 6:12, 30 where Moses mentions "uncircumcised lips"). Regardless, God used Moses' perceived weakness to showcase divine enablement—the message's power came from God, not human eloquence (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' speech difficulty encourage you that God uses weak, inadequate vessels to accomplish His purposes?
  2. What perceived inadequacies in your life might God intend to use to showcase His power rather than your abilities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 25

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֣ה2 of 25

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל3 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָה֮4 of 25

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בִּ֣י5 of 25

“O”

H994

oh that!; with leave, or if it please

אֲדֹנָי֒6 of 25

“my Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

לֹא֩7 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אִ֨ישׁ8 of 25
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

דְּבָרִ֜ים9 of 25

“am not eloquent”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אָנֹ֗כִי10 of 25
H595

i

גַּ֤ם11 of 25
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מִתְּמוֹל֙12 of 25
H8543

properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday

גַּ֣ם13 of 25
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מִשִּׁלְשֹׁ֔ם14 of 25

“neither heretofore”

H8032

trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday

גַּ֛ם15 of 25
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מֵאָ֥ז16 of 25

“nor since”

H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

דַּבֶּרְךָ17 of 25

“thou hast spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל18 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ19 of 25

“unto thy servant”

H5650

a servant

כִּ֧י20 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וּכְבַ֥ד21 of 25

“and of a slow”

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

פֶּ֛ה22 of 25

“of speech”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וּכְבַ֥ד23 of 25

“and of a slow”

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

לָשׁ֖וֹן24 of 25

“tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

אָנֹֽכִי׃25 of 25
H595

i

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 4:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 4:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 1:6Exodus 6:12Acts 7:222 Corinthians 11:6Exodus 4:12 Corinthians 10:10

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