Now then go, and I Myself will be with your mouth, and instruct you in what you are to say.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.”
- KJV Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
- BSB Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”
- NKJV Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
- NLT Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God commands Moses to go, promising to be with his mouth and teach him what to say. Divine presence and instruction answer human inadequacy.
Overview
God meets Moses' objection with a command joined to a promise: go, for I will be with your mouth. The assurance is not that Moses will become eloquent but that God Himself will supply the words. This promise echoes throughout redemptive history—to the prophets, and to disciples told the Spirit would give them words—culminating in Christ's pledge of His presence with His sent people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Jer 1:9Then Yahweh stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth. Then Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
- Luke 12:11–12When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say;
- Matt 10:19–20But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
- Luke 21:14–15Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
- Mark 13:11When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
- Isa 50:4The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
- John 14:26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
- Eph 6:19on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,
- Luke 11:1When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”
- Ps 25:4–5Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths.
- Isa 49:2He has made my mouth like a sharp sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. He has made me a polished shaft. He has kept me close in his quiver.
- Ps 143:10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
- Ps 32:9Don’t be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 4:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.