King James Version

What Does Exodus 4:7 Mean?

Exodus 4:7 in the King James Version says “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 bo...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 4:7 · KJV

Context

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.

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

Read Exodus 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the leprosy sign illustrate both God's judgment on sin and His power to restore completely?
  2. What 'leprous' areas of your life need God's healing touch to restore them to spiritual health?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 14

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁ֖בָה2 of 14

“And he put”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יָד֖וֹ3 of 14

“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

אֶל4 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֵֽחֵיק֔וֹ5 of 14

“into his bosom”

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

שָׁ֖בָה6 of 14

“And he put”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יָד֖וֹ7 of 14

“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

אֶל8 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֵֽחֵיק֔וֹ9 of 14

“into his bosom”

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

וַיּֽוֹצִאָהּ֙10 of 14

“and plucked”

H3318

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

מֵֽחֵיק֔וֹ11 of 14

“into his bosom”

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

וְהִנֵּה12 of 14
H2009

lo!

שָׁ֖בָה13 of 14

“And he put”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

כִּבְשָׂרֽוֹ׃14 of 14

“as his other flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

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 4:7 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 4:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 5:14Deuteronomy 32:39Matthew 8:3Numbers 12:13-15

Test Your Knowledge

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