New International Version and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’” New Living Translation I commanded you, “Let my son go, so he can worship me.” But since you have refused, I will now kill your firstborn son!’” English Standard Version and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’” Berean Standard Bible and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” Berean Literal Bible And I say to you, send out My son, that he may serve Me. And if you refuse to send him out, behold, I am killing your son, your firstborn.’” King James Bible And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. New King James Version So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.” ’ ” New American Standard Bible So I said to you, ‘Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I am going to kill your son, your firstborn.”’” NASB 1995 “So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn."’” NASB 1977 “So I said to you, ‘Let My son go, that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your first-born.”’” Legacy Standard Bible So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’” Amplified Bible So I say to you, ‘Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’” Berean Annotated Bible and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son! Christian Standard Bible I told you: Let my son go so that he may worship me, but you refused to let him go. Look, I am about to kill your firstborn son! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible I told you: Let My son go so that he may worship Me, but you refused to let him go. Now I will kill your firstborn son!” American Standard Version and 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. Contemporary English Version and I commanded you to release him, so he could worship me. But you refused, and now I will kill your first-born son." English Revised Version and 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 firstborn. GOD'S WORD® Translation I told you to let my son go so that he may worship me. But you refused to let him go. So now I'm going to kill your firstborn son.'" Good News Translation I told you to let my son go, so that he might worship me, but you refused. Now I am going to kill your first-born son.'" International Standard Version And I say to you, 'Let my son go so he may serve me. If you refuse to let him go, then I will kill your firstborn son.'"'" NET Bible and I said to you, 'Let my son go that he may serve me,' but since you have refused to let him go, I will surely kill your son, your firstborn!"'" New Heart English Bible and I have said to you, "Let my son go, that he may serve me;" and you have refused to let him go. Look, I will kill your son, your firstborn.'" Webster's Bible Translation And I say to thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou shalt refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy first-born. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” World English Bible and I have said to you, “Let my son go, that he may serve me;” and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand I say to you, send My son away, and he serves Me; and [if] you refuse to send him away, behold, I am slaying your son, your firstborn.” Berean Literal Bible And I say to you, send out My son, that he may serve Me. And if you refuse to send him out, behold, I am killing your son, your firstborn.’” Young's Literal Translation and I say unto thee, Send away My son, and he doth serve Me; and -- thou dost refuse to send him away -- lo, I am slaying thy son, thy first-born.' Smith's Literal Translation And saying to thee, Send forth my son, and he shall save me: and shalt thou refuse to send him, behold me killing thy son, thy first-born. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI have said to thee: Let my son go, that he may serve me, and thou wouldst not let him go: behold I will kill thy son, thy firstborn. Catholic Public Domain Version I have said to you: Release my son, so that he may serve me. And you were not willing to release him. Behold, I will put to death your firstborn son.’ ” New American Bible I said to you: Let my son go, that he may serve me. Since you refused to let him go, I will kill your son, your firstborn. New Revised Standard Version I said to you, “Let my son go that he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; now I will kill your firstborn son.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I say to you, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay your first-born son. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I have said to you ‘Send out my son and he will serve me,’ and if you choose not to send out my son, behold, I am killing your son, your firstborn.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.'-- Brenton Septuagint Translation And I said to thee, Send away my people, that they may serve me: now if thou wilt not send them away, see, I will slay thy fir-born son. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Moses Leaves for Egypt…22Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, 23and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” 24Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.… Cross References And I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. Exodus 8:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. Exodus 7:16 Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened. But since you have refused to let him go, Exodus 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go. Exodus 9:35 So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses. Exodus 11:10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites go out of his land. behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” Exodus 11:5 and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle. Exodus 12:12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. Exodus 12:29 Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. Exodus 5:1 After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” Exodus 9:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Exodus 10:3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Exodus 11:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely. Exodus 13:15 And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’ Exodus 14:5-9 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” / So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. / He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. … Exodus 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Treasury of Scripture And I say to you, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay your son, even your firstborn. Exodus 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. Psalm 78:51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham: Jump to Previous Death First Firstborn First-Born Kill Refuse Refused Serve Slay Slaying WorshipJump to Next Death First Firstborn First-Born Kill Refuse Refused Serve Slay Slaying WorshipExodus 4 1. Moses's rod is turned into a serpent.6. His hand is leprous. 10. He loathes his calling. 13. Aaron is appointed to assist him. 18. Moses departs from Jethro. 21. God's message to Pharaoh. 24. Zipporah circumcises her son. 27. Aaron is sent to meet Moses. 29. The people believe them. and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. Israel is God’s covenant people, called His son because of the unique relationship He established with the nation. Their release from Egypt was for the purpose of serving and worshiping the Lord, not simply gaining political freedom. Exo 8:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh… But since you have refused to let him go, Pharaoh’s continued refusal was defiance against God’s direct command. By holding Israel in bondage, he opposed the Lord’s authority and brought judgment upon Egypt. Exo 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not… behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” God warned Pharaoh of the final plague, the death of Egypt’s firstborn. As Pharaoh had oppressed God’s firstborn son, Israel, Egypt’s firstborn would fall under judgment. The Passover that followed provided deliverance for Israel and pointed forward to Christ, the true Passover sacrifice. Exo 11:5 every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe prophet chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He is the one delivering God's message to Pharaoh. 2. Pharaoh The ruler of Egypt who is refusing to release the Israelites from slavery, representing opposition to God's will. 3. Israelites Referred to as God's "son," they are the people enslaved in Egypt whom God intends to free. 4. Egypt The land where the Israelites are enslaved, representing a place of bondage and oppression. 5. God The sovereign Lord who commands Pharaoh through Moses and declares the consequences of disobedience. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and AuthorityGod has ultimate authority over nations and rulers. His commands are not suggestions but divine mandates that carry consequences for disobedience. The Importance of Obedience Pharaoh's refusal to obey God's command led to severe consequences. This highlights the importance of aligning our actions with God's will. God's Relationship with His People Referring to Israel as His "son" emphasizes the intimate and covenantal relationship God has with His people. Believers today are also called to live as children of God. Judgment and Redemption The warning of judgment upon Egypt's firstborn foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Christ, who is the firstborn over all creation and the means of our deliverance from sin. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 4:23?2. How does Exodus 4:23 emphasize God's authority over Pharaoh and his decisions? 3. What does "let My son go" reveal about God's relationship with Israel? 4. How does Exodus 4:23 connect to God's covenant promises in Genesis? 5. In what ways can we recognize and respond to God's authority today? 6. How does Exodus 4:23 challenge us to prioritize obedience to God's commands? 7. Why did God threaten to kill Pharaoh's firstborn in Exodus 4:23? 8. How does Exodus 4:23 reflect God's justice and mercy? 9. What is the significance of God calling Israel "My firstborn son" in Exodus 4:23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 4? (23) I will slay thy son, even thy first-born.--The threat was not made until immediately before the tenth plague (Exodus 11:5). It is not recorded in the words which Moses is here directed to use; but the speech of Moses in Exodus 11 is no doubt much abbreviated.Verse 23. - I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. For the fulfilment of the threat, see Exodus 12:29. Moses did not utter it till all other arguments were exhausted, and he knew that he was having his last interview with the monarch (Exodus 10:29; Exodus 11:4, 5). In this reserve and in the whole series of his dealings with the Egyptian king, we must regard him as simply carrying out the special directions which, after his return to Egypt, he continually received from the Almighty. (See Exodus 6:11; Exodus 7:9, 15 19: 8:1, 5, 16, 20, etc.) CHAPTER 4:24-26 Exodus 4:23 lays out a clear sequence: God commands Pharaoh to release His firstborn nation so they can worship; Pharaoh’s repeated refusal provokes a proportional, righteous judgment—the death of Egypt’s firstborn. The verse reveals God’s covenant love for His people, the purpose of redemption (worship), the seriousness of resisting His word, and a foreshadowing of the ultimate Passover accomplished through the greater Firstborn, Jesus Christ.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew and I told youוָאֹמַ֣ר (wā·’ō·mar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to let My son בְּנִי֙ (bə·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1121: A son go שַׁלַּ֤ח (šal·laḥ) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out so that he may worship Me. וְיַֽעַבְדֵ֔נִי (wə·ya·‘aḇ·ḏê·nî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave But you have refused וַתְּמָאֵ֖ן (wat·tə·mā·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3985: To refuse to let him go, לְשַׁלְּח֑וֹ (lə·šal·lə·ḥōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out so הִנֵּה֙ (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! I אָנֹכִ֣י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I will kill הֹרֵ֔ג (hō·rêḡ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent your firstborn בְּכֹרֶֽךָ׃ (bə·ḵō·re·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief son!’” בִּנְךָ֖ (bin·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son Additonal Resources Exodus 4:23 Blue Letter BibleExodus 4:23 Bible Gateway Exodus 4:23 Bible.com Exodus 4:23 NIV |
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