King James Version

What Does Exodus 4:6 Mean?

Exodus 4:6 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.

Exodus 4:6 · KJV


Context

4

And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:

5

That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

6

And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה לוֹ עוֹד הָבֵא־נָא יָדְךָ בְּחֵיקֶךָ וַיָּבֵא יָדוֹ בְּחֵיקוֹ וַיּוֹצִאָהּ וְהִנֵּה־יָדוֹ מְצֹרַעַת כַּשָּׁלֶג)—The second sign: instantaneous leprosy (צָרַעַת, tsara'at, severe skin disease). Leprous as snow (מְצֹרַעַת כַּשָּׁלֶג)—white, diseased skin. In Israel, leprosy symbolized sin's corruption, requiring isolation (Leviticus 13-14). Moses experiences both affliction and healing (v. 7) instantaneously—demonstrating God's power over life, death, health, and disease. This sign previewed God's judgment on Egypt (plagues) and healing for obedient Israel. Symbolically, Moses learns that God's power both judges and restores.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Leprosy (tsara'at) included various skin diseases, all rendering a person ceremonially unclean and socially isolated. The instant onset and healing demonstrated supernatural power over biology and disease—something no Egyptian magic could replicate. This sign also prepared Moses for intercession—experiencing affliction creates compassion for the afflicted (Hebrews 4:15).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' experience of both affliction and healing prepare him for ministry to a suffering people?
  2. What does this sign teach about God's sovereignty over sickness and health, judgment and mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 16

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֨ה2 of 16

And the LORD

H3068

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

ל֜וֹ3 of 16
H0
ע֗וֹד4 of 16

furthermore

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

וַיָּבֵ֥א5 of 16

And he put

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נָ֤א6 of 16
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יָד֖וֹ7 of 16

his hand

H3027

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

בְּחֵיק֑וֹ8 of 16

into his bosom

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

וַיָּבֵ֥א9 of 16

And he put

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יָד֖וֹ10 of 16

his hand

H3027

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

בְּחֵיק֑וֹ11 of 16

into his bosom

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

וַיּ֣וֹצִאָ֔הּ12 of 16

and when he took

H3318

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

וְהִנֵּ֥ה13 of 16
H2009

lo!

יָד֖וֹ14 of 16

his hand

H3027

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

מְצֹרַ֥עַת15 of 16

was leprous

H6879

to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy

כַּשָּֽׁלֶג׃16 of 16

as snow

H7950

snow (probably from its whiteness)


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 4:6 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 4:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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