King James Version

What Does Exodus 4:14 Mean?

Exodus 4:14 in the King James Version says “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he ca...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.”

Exodus 4:14 · KJV

Context

12

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

13

And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. wilt: or, shouldest

14

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

15

And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

16

And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

Read Exodus 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart (וַיִּחַר־אַף יְהוָה בְּמֹשֶׁה וַיֹּאמֶר הֲלֹא אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ הַלֵּוִי יָדַעְתִּי כִּי־דַבֵּר יְדַבֵּר הוּא וְגַם הִנֵּה־הוּא יֹצֵא לִקְרָאתֶךָ וְרָאֲךָ וְשָׂמַח בְּלִבּוֹ)—The anger of the LORD was kindled (וַיִּחַר־אַף יְהוָה)—God's displeasure at Moses' resistance. God accommodates weakness but opposes rebellion. Aaron the Levite thy brother—God provides a spokesman. He can speak well (דַבֵּר יְדַבֵּר, emphatic: "speaking he will speak"). Aaron becomes Moses' "prophet" to Pharaoh (7:1). He will be glad in his heart (וְשָׂמַח בְּלִבּוֹ)—true fraternal support, though later Aaron will fail (golden calf, Exodus 32). Moses' reluctance costs him something—Aaron's involvement creates complications. God's first choice was Moses alone; accommodation brings mixed results.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Aaron was likely still in Egypt during Moses' Midian sojourn. How God orchestrated Aaron's departure to meet Moses shows divine providence. Aaron's eloquence proved useful initially (4:30) but later contributed to disaster (32:1-6, 21-24). Moses' refusal to trust God fully had consequences—leadership shared with Aaron complicated matters. This teaches that resisting God's best plan results in workable but suboptimal alternatives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's anger at Moses' resistance challenge you to obey promptly rather than negotiate with God?
  2. What 'Aaron arrangements' in your life exist because you insisted on accommodations rather than trusting God's original plan?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּֽחַר1 of 22

“was kindled”

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

אַ֨ף2 of 22

“And the anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

יְהוָ֜ה3 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּמֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 22

“against Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙5 of 22

“and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֲלֹ֨א6 of 22
H3808

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

אַֽהֲרֹ֤ן7 of 22

“Is not Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אָחִ֙יךָ֙8 of 22

“thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הַלֵּוִ֔י9 of 22

“the Levite”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

יָדַ֕עְתִּי10 of 22

“I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי11 of 22
H3588

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

יְדַבֵּ֖ר12 of 22

“that he can speak”

H1696

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

יְדַבֵּ֖ר13 of 22

“that he can speak”

H1696

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

ה֑וּא14 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְגַ֤ם15 of 22
H1571

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

הִנֵּה16 of 22
H2009

lo!

הוּא֙17 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יֹצֵ֣א18 of 22

“And also behold he cometh forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לִקְרָאתֶ֔ךָ19 of 22

“to meet”

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וְרָֽאֲךָ֖20 of 22

“thee and when he seeth”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְשָׂמַ֥ח21 of 22
H8056

blithe or gleeful

בְּלִבּֽוֹ׃22 of 22

“in his heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

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 4:14 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 4:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 14:13-151 Chronicles 21:7Exodus 4:27Exodus 4:171 Thessalonians 3:6-72 Corinthians 2:13

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