Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, July 16th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Read the Bible
THE MESSAGE
Exodus 4:3
"Throw it on the ground." He threw it. It became a snake; Moses jumped back—fast!
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Hebrew Names Version
He said, "Throw it on the ground." He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moshe ran away from it.
He said, "Throw it on the ground." He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moshe ran away from it.
King James 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.
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.
Lexham English Bible
And he said, "Throw it onto the ground." And he threw it onto the ground, and it became a snake, and Moses fled from it.
And he said, "Throw it onto the ground." And he threw it onto the ground, and it became a snake, and Moses fled from it.
New Century Version
The Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from the snake,
The Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from the snake,
New English Translation
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then said he, Cast it on the ground. So he cast it on the grounde, and it was turned into a serpent: and Moses fled from it.
Then said he, Cast it on the ground. So he cast it on the grounde, and it was turned into 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.
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.
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.
"Throw it down!" the Lord commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back.
Complete Jewish Bible
He said, "Throw it on the ground!" and he threw it on the ground. It turned into a snake, and Moshe recoiled from it.
He said, "Throw it on the ground!" and he threw it on the ground. It turned into a snake, and Moshe recoiled from it.
Darby 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.
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
Then God said, "Throw your walking stick on the ground." So Moses threw his walking stick on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from it,
Then God said, "Throw your walking stick on the ground." So Moses threw his walking stick on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from it,
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.
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.
George Lamsa Translation
And 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.
And 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.
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.
The Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." When Moses threw it down, it turned into a snake, and he ran away 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.
“Throw it on the ground,” he said. So Moses threw it on the ground, it became a snake, and he ran from it.
Literal Translation
And He said, Throw it to the ground. And he threw it to the ground, and it became a snake. And Moses fled before it.
And He said, Throw it to the ground. And he threw it to the ground, and it became a snake. And Moses fled before it.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
He sayde: Cast it from the vpon the grounde. And he cast it fro him: then was it turned to a serpent. And Moses fled fro it.
He sayde: Cast it from the vpon the grounde. And he cast it fro him: then was it turned to a serpent. And Moses fled fro it.
American Standard 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.
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.
Bible in Basic English
And he said, Put it down on the earth. And he put it down on the earth and it became a snake; and Moses went running from it.
And he said, Put it down on the earth. And he put it down on the earth and it became a snake; and Moses went running from it.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he sayde: Cast it on the grounde. And he cast it on the grounde, and it became a serpent: and Moyses fled fro the syght of it.
And he sayde: Cast it on the grounde. And he cast it on the grounde, and it became a serpent: and Moyses fled fro the syght of it.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.
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.
King James Version (1611)
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.
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.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the Lord seide, Caste it forth into erthe; and he castide forth, and it was turned in to a serpent, so that Moises fledde.
And the Lord seide, Caste it forth into erthe; and he castide forth, and it was turned in to a serpent, so that Moises fledde.
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.
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.
Update Bible 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.
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.
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.
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.
He said, "Throw it on the ground." He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses ran away from 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.
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 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.
"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.
New Life Bible
Then the Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. And Moses ran from it.
Then the Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. And Moses ran from it.
New Revised Standard
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.
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.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said he - Cast it to the earth. And he cast it to the earth, and it became a serpent, - and Moses fled from the face thereof.
Then said he - Cast it to the earth. And he cast it to the earth, and it became a serpent, - and Moses fled from the face thereof.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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.
And 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.
Revised Standard 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.
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 (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.
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.
Contextual Overview
1 Moses objected, "They won't trust me. They won't listen to a word I say. They're going to say, ‘ God ? Appear to him? Hardly!'" 2 So God said, "What's that in your hand?" "A staff." 3 "Throw it on the ground." He threw it. It became a snake; Moses jumped back—fast! 4 God said to Moses, "Reach out and grab it by the tail." He reached out and grabbed it—and he was holding his staff again. "That's so they will trust that God appeared to you, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." 6 God then said, "Put your hand inside your shirt." He slipped his hand under his shirt, then took it out. His hand had turned leprous, like snow. 7 He said, "Put your hand back under your shirt." He did it, then took it back out—as healthy as before. 8"So if they don't trust you and aren't convinced by the first sign, the second sign should do it. But if it doesn't, if even after these two signs they don't trust you and listen to your message, take some water out of the Nile and pour it out on the dry land; the Nile water that you pour out will turn to blood when it hits the ground."
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
it became: Exodus 4:17, Exodus 7:10-15, Amos 5:19
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:3 - General
Cross-References
Genesis 4:1
Adam slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and had Cain. She said, "I've gotten a man, with God 's help!"
Adam slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and had Cain. She said, "I've gotten a man, with God 's help!"
1 Kings 17:7
Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: "Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you."
Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: "Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you."
Nehemiah 13:6
When this was going on I wasn't there in Jerusalem; in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon, I had traveled back to the king. But later I asked for his permission to leave again. I arrived in Jerusalem and learned of the wrong that Eliashib had done in turning over to him a room in the courts of The Temple of God. I was angry, really angry, and threw everything in the room out into the street, all of Tobiah's stuff. Then I ordered that they ceremonially cleanse the room. Only then did I put back the worship vessels of The Temple of God, along with the Grain-Offerings and the incense.
When this was going on I wasn't there in Jerusalem; in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon, I had traveled back to the king. But later I asked for his permission to leave again. I arrived in Jerusalem and learned of the wrong that Eliashib had done in turning over to him a room in the courts of The Temple of God. I was angry, really angry, and threw everything in the room out into the street, all of Tobiah's stuff. Then I ordered that they ceremonially cleanse the room. Only then did I put back the worship vessels of The Temple of God, along with the Grain-Offerings and the incense.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And he said, cast it on the ground,.... That is, the rod or staff:
and he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; not in appearance only, but in reality, it was changed into a real living serpent; for God, who is the author of nature, can change the nature of things as he pleases; nor is it to be supposed that he would only make it look to the sight as if it was one, by working upon the fancy and imagination to think it was one, when it was not; no doubt but it was as really turned into a true serpent, as the water was turned really and truly into wine by our Lord; this was the first miracle that ever was wrought, that we know of. Dr. Lightfoot h observes, that as a serpent was the fittest emblem of the devil, Genesis 3:1 so was it a sign that Moses did not these miracles by the power of the devil, but had a power over and beyond him, when he could thus deal with the serpent at his pleasure, as to make his rod a serpent, and the serpent a rod, as he saw good:
and Moses fled from before it; the Jews say i it was a fiery serpent, but for this they have no warrant: however, without supposing that it might be terrible and frightful, inasmuch as a common serpent is very disagreeable to men, and such an uncommon and extraordinary one must be very surprising, to see a staff become a serpent, a living one, crawling and leaping about, and perhaps turning itself towards Moses, whose staff it had been. Philo the Jew k says, it was a dragon, an exceeding large one.
h Works, vol. 1. p. 702. i Pirke Eliezer, c. 40. k De Vita Mosls, l. 1. 614.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
A serpent - This miracle had a meaning which Moses could not mistake. The serpent was probably the basilisk or Uraeus, the Cobra. This was the symbol of royal and divine power on the diadem of every Pharaoh. The conversion of the rod was not merely a portent, it was a sign, at once a pledge and representation of victory over the king and gods of Egypt!
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Exodus 4:3. A serpent — Of what sort we know not, as the word × ×ש nachash is a general name for serpents, and also means several other things, see Genesis 3:1: but it was either of a kind that he had not seen before, or one that he knew to be dangerous; for it is said, he fled from before it. Some suppose the staff was changed into a crocodile; Exodus 7:10.
