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Exodus 4:22

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 4:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, my first-born:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, my first-born:
Exodus 4:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And Jehovah said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt; for all the men are dead that sought thy life.
20And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
21And Jehovah said unto Moses, When thou goest back into Egypt, see that thou do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in thy hand: but I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go.
22And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, my first-born:
23and I have said unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and thou hast refused to let him go: behold, I will slay thy son, thy first-born.
24And it came to pass on the way at the lodging-place, that Jehovah met him, and sought to kill him.
25Then Zipporah took a flint, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet; and she said, Surely a bridegroom of blood art thou to me.
← Exodus 4:21Exodus 4:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And thou shall say unto Pharaoh, etc.] When arrived in Egypt, and in his presence: thus saith the Lord; he was to declare to him that he came in his name, and by his orders, and, as an ambassador of his, required the dismission of the children of Israel out of Egypt: Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn; as dear to him as a man’s firstborn is, or as his only son: adoption is one of the privileges peculiar to Israel after the flesh, even national adoption, with all the external privileges appertaining to it, ( <450904>Romans 9:4,5).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My firstborn - The expression would be perfectly intelligible to Pharaoh, whose official designation was “son of Ra.” In numberless inscriptions the Pharaohs are styled “own sons” or “beloved sons” of the deity. It is here applied for the first time to Israel; and as we learn from Exodus 4:23, emphatically in antithesis to Pharaoh’s own firstborn. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thus saith the Lord - This is the first time that preface is used by any man, which afterwards is used so frequently by all the prophets: Israel is my son, my first - born - Precious in my sight, honourable, and dear to me. Exodus 4:23”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Israel: Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Deu 14:1; Jer 31:9; Hos 11:1; Rom 9:4; Co2 6:18; Heb 12:23; Jam 1:18 Exodus 4:23”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification