Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. New Living Translation “Throw it down on the ground,” the LORD told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. English Standard Version And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. Berean Standard Bible “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. King James Bible And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. New King James Version And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. New American Standard Bible Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it turned into a serpent; and Moses fled from it. NASB 1995 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. NASB 1977 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Legacy Standard Bible Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Amplified Bible Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a [living] serpent [like the royal symbol on the crown of Pharaoh]; and Moses ran from it. Christian Standard Bible “Throw it on the ground,” he said. So Moses threw it on the ground, it became a snake, and he ran from it. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from it, American Standard Version And he said, Cast in on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. Contemporary English Version "Throw it down!" the LORD commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back. English Revised Version And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." When Moses threw it on the ground, it became a snake, and he ran away from it. Good News Translation The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." When Moses threw it down, it turned into a snake, and he ran away from it. International Standard Version Then God said, "Throw it to the ground." He threw it to the ground and it became a snake. Moses ran away from it. Majority Standard Bible ?Throw it on the ground,? said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. NET Bible The LORD said, "Throw it to the ground." So he threw it to the ground, and it became a snake, and Moses ran from it. New Heart English Bible He said, "Throw it on the ground." He threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses ran away from it. Webster's Bible Translation And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent: and Moses fled from before it. World English Bible He said, “Throw it on the ground.” He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses ran away from it. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand He says, “Cast it to the earth”; and he casts it to the earth, and it becomes a serpent—and Moses flees from its presence. Young's Literal Translation and He saith, 'Cast it to the earth;' and he casteth it to the earth, and it becometh a serpent -- and Moses fleeth from its presence. Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, Cast it upon the earth. And he will cast it upon the earth and it will be into a serpent, and Moses will flee from before it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord said: Cast it down upon the ground. He cast it down, and it was turned into a serpent: so that Moses fled from it. Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord said, “Cast it down upon the ground.” He cast it down, and it was turned into a snake, so that Moses fled away. New American Bible God said: Throw it on the ground. So he threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and Moses backed away from it. New Revised Standard Version And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw the staff on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses drew back from it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said, “Throw it on the ground”, and he cast it on the ground, and it was a snake and Moshe fled from before it. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And He said: 'Cast it on the ground.' And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said, Cast it on the ground: and he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Moses' Staff…2And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3“Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4“Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.… Cross References Numbers 21:8-9 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” / So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live. 2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. John 3:14-15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, / that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. Mark 16:18 they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.” Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Acts 28:3-6 Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ... Genesis 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ... Psalm 91:13 You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent. Isaiah 11:8 The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. Matthew 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 20:2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 1 Corinthians 10:9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. Deuteronomy 8:15 He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint. Treasury of Scripture And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. it became. Exodus 4:17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. Exodus 7:10-15 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent… Amos 5:19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Jump to Previous Cast Casteth Earth Fled Fleeth Ground Moses Presence Ran Running Serpent Snake Threw ThrowJump to Next Cast Casteth Earth Fled Fleeth Ground Moses Presence Ran Running Serpent Snake Threw ThrowExodus 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. “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. This command from God to Moses occurs during their encounter at the burning bush on Mount Horeb. The act of throwing the staff on the ground is a demonstration of God's power and authority. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a staff was a symbol of leadership and authority, often carried by shepherds and leaders. By instructing Moses to throw it down, God is showing that He can transform ordinary objects to fulfill His divine purposes. This act foreshadows the miracles Moses will perform in Egypt, emphasizing that God is the source of power behind these signs. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesA Hebrew prophet chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. At this point in the account, Moses is at the burning bush, receiving his commission from God. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant name of God, who is revealing Himself to Moses and demonstrating His power through signs. 3. The Snake The rod turning into a snake is a miraculous sign from God, symbolizing His power and authority. The Hebrew word for snake here is (nachash), which can also mean serpent. 4. The Rod/Staff A common tool for shepherds, representing Moses' identity and authority. It becomes a symbol of God's power when transformed into a snake. 5. The Burning Bush The location where God appears to Moses, a significant event marking the beginning of Moses' mission to free the Israelites. Teaching Points God's Authority Over NatureThe transformation of the rod into a snake demonstrates God's supreme power over creation. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty over all aspects of life. Fear and Faith Moses' initial reaction of fear is natural, yet God calls him to trust and obey. In our lives, we may face situations that cause fear, but faith requires us to trust in God's power and plan. Signs and Wonders God uses signs to confirm His word and mission. While we may not always see miraculous signs, we are called to recognize God's work in our lives and respond in faith. Obedience to God's Call Moses' obedience in throwing down the rod is a step of faith. We are called to obey God's instructions, even when they seem daunting or unclear.(3) A serpent.--The word here used (nakhash) is a generic one for a snake of any kind, and tells us nothing as to the species. A different word (tannin) is used in Exodus 7:10, while nakhash recurs in Exodus 7:15. Tannin is, like nakhash, a generic term. And Moses fled from before it--It was natural for Moses to remember his alarm, and record it. Any-later writer would have passed over so small a circumstance. (See the Introduction, p. 3.) Verse 3. - It became a serpent. The word here used for "serpent," nakhash, is a generic word applicable to any species of snake. We cannot assume that the cobra is the serpent meant, though no doubt Moses, when he fled from before it, believed it to be a venomous serpent. Various reasons for God's choice of this particular sign have been given. Perhaps the best is, that a trick of the kind was known to the Egyptian conjurors, who would be tempted to exhibit it in order to discredit Moses, and would then be discredited themselves by his stick swallowing theirs. (See Exodus 7:10-12.) It is fanciful to suppose a reference either to the serpent of Genesis 3. (Keil and Delitzsch) or to the uraeus (cobra), which the Egyptian kings bore in their headdress as a mark of sovereignty {Canon Cook)Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Throwהַשְׁלִיכֵ֣הוּ (haš·lî·ḵê·hū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away it on the ground,” אַ֔רְצָה (’ar·ṣāh) Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land said [the Lord]. וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say So [Moses] threw וַיַּשְׁלִיכֵ֥הוּ (way·yaš·lî·ḵê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away it on the ground, אַ֖רְצָה (’ar·ṣāh) Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land and it became וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a snake, לְנָחָ֑שׁ (lə·nā·ḥāš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5175: A serpent and [he] מֹשֶׁ֖ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver ran וַיָּ֥נָס (way·yā·nās) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away from it. מִפָּנָֽיו׃ (mip·pā·nāw) Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face Links Exodus 4:3 NIVExodus 4:3 NLT Exodus 4:3 ESV Exodus 4:3 NASB Exodus 4:3 KJV Exodus 4:3 BibleApps.com Exodus 4:3 Biblia Paralela Exodus 4:3 Chinese Bible Exodus 4:3 French Bible Exodus 4:3 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 4:3 He said Throw it on the ground (Exo. 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