Exodus 4:5
New International Version
“This,” said the LORD, “is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”

New Living Translation
“Perform this sign,” the LORD told him. “Then they will believe that the LORD, the God of their ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—really has appeared to you.”

English Standard Version
“that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Berean Standard Bible
“This is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

New American Standard Bible
“so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

NASB 1995
“that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

NASB 1977
“that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“that they may believe that Yahweh, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Amplified Bible
[“You shall do this,” said the LORD,] “so that the elders may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has [most certainly] appeared to you.”

Christian Standard Bible
“This will take place,” he continued, “so that they will believe that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This will take place,” He continued, “so they will believe that Yahweh, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

American Standard Version
that they may believe that Jehovah, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

Contemporary English Version
"Do this," the LORD said, "and the Israelites will believe that you have seen me, the God who was worshiped by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[The LORD explained,] "This is to convince the people that the LORD God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, appeared to you."

Good News Translation
The LORD said, "Do this to prove to the Israelites that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to you."

International Standard Version
God said, "I've done this so that they may believe that the LORD God of their ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you."

Majority Standard Bible
?This is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers?the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?has appeared to you.?

NET Bible
"that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."

New Heart English Bible
"That they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."

Webster's Bible Translation
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 to thee.

World English Bible
“This is so that they may believe that Yahweh, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“so that they believe that YHWH, God of their fathers, has appeared to you, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob.”

Young's Literal Translation
' -- so that they believe that Jehovah, God of their fathers, hath appeared unto thee, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob.'

Smith's Literal Translation
That they shall believe that Jehovah was seen to thee, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaak, and the God of Jacob.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That they may believe, saith he, that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“So may they believe,” he said, “that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

New American Bible
That is so they will believe that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did appear to you.

New Revised Standard Version
“so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This is done that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“So that they will believe that LORD JEHOVAH appeared to you, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Yaquuv.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and it became a rod in his hand, - that they may believe thee, that the God of thy fathers has appeared to thee, the God of Abraam, and God of Isaac, and God of Jacob.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses' Staff
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. 5“This is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers— the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob— has appeared to you.”

Cross References
John 20:30-31
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. / But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

John 11:42
I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.”

John 5:36
But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

John 10:38
But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”

John 14:11
Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves.

Acts 2:22
Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.

Acts 4:30
as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”

Hebrews 2:4
and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

Mark 16:20
And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.

1 Corinthians 14:22
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

Romans 15:19
by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:12
The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.

Matthew 11:4-5
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: / The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Luke 7:22
So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...


Treasury of Scripture

That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.

that they.

Exodus 4:1
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

Exodus 3:18
And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

Exodus 4:31
And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

the Lord.

Exodus 3:15
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Genesis 12:7
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Jump to Previous
Abraham Appeared Believe Fathers Isaac Jacob
Jump to Next
Abraham Appeared Believe Fathers Isaac Jacob
Exodus 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.














This is so that they may believe
This phrase highlights the purpose of the signs given to Moses: to inspire belief among the Israelites. In the context of the Exodus narrative, belief is crucial for the Israelites to trust Moses as their leader and God's chosen instrument for their deliverance. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where signs and wonders are used to confirm divine authority and mission, as seen in the ministries of prophets and Jesus Christ (John 20:30-31).

that the LORD,
The use of "LORD" in all capital letters signifies the divine name YHWH, emphasizing God's covenantal relationship with Israel. This name is first revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where God declares, "I AM WHO I AM." It underscores God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises.

the God of their fathers—
This phrase connects the current generation of Israelites with their ancestral heritage, reminding them of the longstanding covenant relationship. It serves to reassure the Israelites that the God who is acting now is the same God who was faithful to their ancestors, reinforcing continuity and trust in His promises.

the God of Abraham,
Abraham is the patriarch with whom God first established His covenant, promising numerous descendants and a land for his offspring (Genesis 12:1-3). This reference to Abraham underscores the fulfillment of God's promises and His ongoing commitment to the covenant, which is foundational to Israel's identity and hope.

the God of Isaac,
Isaac, the son of promise, represents the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham. The mention of Isaac highlights God's faithfulness in preserving the covenant line and His miraculous provision, as seen in Isaac's birth to Sarah in her old age (Genesis 21:1-3).

and the God of Jacob—
Jacob, later named Israel, is the father of the twelve tribes. His life is marked by encounters with God, such as the vision at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22) and wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32:22-32). This reference emphasizes God's personal involvement and transformative power in the lives of His people.

has appeared to you.
The appearance of God to Moses is a theophany, a direct encounter with the divine. This validates Moses' prophetic authority and mission. The burning bush (Exodus 3:2-4) is a significant theophany, symbolizing God's holiness and His call to deliver Israel. This encounter prefigures the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The central figure in this passage, Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He is given signs to perform to validate his divine commission.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and self-existent nature. He is the God of the patriarchs and the one who commissions Moses.

3. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
This phrase emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant promises through the patriarchs, underscoring His faithfulness and the historical roots of Israel's faith.

4. The Israelites
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are enslaved in Egypt and are the intended audience of the signs given to Moses.

5. Egypt
The place of Israel's bondage, from which God intends to deliver them through Moses.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
God identifies Himself as the God of the patriarchs, reminding us of His unchanging nature and faithfulness to His promises.

Divine Commission
Moses' calling and the signs he is given underscore the importance of divine authority in ministry and leadership.

The Role of Signs
Signs are given to confirm God's message and messenger, pointing to the necessity of faith and obedience in response to God's revelation.

Continuity of God's Plan
The reference to the patriarchs highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history, encouraging believers to trust in His overarching purpose.

Trust in God's Presence
Just as God appeared to Moses, believers are reminded of God's presence with them, empowering them to fulfill their calling.(5) That they may believe . . . --These are God's words to Moses, in continuation of those which form the first portion of the preceding verse. The clause describing the action of Moses in Exodus 4:4 is parenthetic. The words give Diviue sanction to the view, so strangely combatted of late, that the power of working miracles is given to men, primarily and mainly, for its evidential value to accredit them as God's messengers. Without the gift of miracles neither would Moses have persuaded the Israelites, nor would the Apostles have converted the world.

Verse 5. - That they may believe. The sign was to convince the Israelites, in the first instance, and cause them to accept the mission of Moses (see vers. 30, 31). It was afterwards to be exhibited before Pharaoh (ver. 21), to try him and prove him, but not to convince him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“This is so that
לְמַ֣עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

they may believe
יַאֲמִ֔ינוּ (ya·’ă·mî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD,
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of their fathers—
אֲבֹתָ֑ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֧י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Abraham,
אַבְרָהָ֛ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Isaac,
יִצְחָ֖ק (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

and the God
וֵאלֹהֵ֥י (wê·lō·hê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Jacob—
יַעֲקֹֽב׃ (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

has appeared
נִרְאָ֥ה (nir·’āh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

to you.”
אֵלֶ֛יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


Links
Exodus 4:5 NIV
Exodus 4:5 NLT
Exodus 4:5 ESV
Exodus 4:5 NASB
Exodus 4:5 KJV

Exodus 4:5 BibleApps.com
Exodus 4:5 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 4:5 Chinese Bible
Exodus 4:5 French Bible
Exodus 4:5 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 4:5 That they may believe that Yahweh (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 4:4
Top of Page
Top of Page