Exodus 4:6
And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
Exodus 4:6 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, God instructs Moses to put his hand into his bosom, and when he does, his hand becomes leprous as white as snow. This miraculous sign was intended to demonstrate God's power to both Moses and the Israelites. Leprosy was a dreaded disease during biblical times, often associated with being unclean and a punishment from God. By making Moses' hand leprous and then restoring it, God was showing that He had the power to afflict with disease and to heal. This event served as a sign of God's authority and ability to perform miracles, reassuring Moses that God would be with him as he carried out his mission to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It also foreshadowed the future miracles God would perform through Moses, such as parting the Red Sea and providing manna in the wilderness. Overall, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and his ability to work wonders in the midst of challenging circumstances.
Theological Overview
This verse, found in Exodus 4:6, presents a vivid image of a supernatural occurrence as part of God's demonstration of power to Moses. The act of putting his hand into his bosom and it coming out leprous highlights the transformative and miraculous nature of God's intervention. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the themes of divine authority and the ability of God to bring about change in an instant. Leprosy, a disease associated with uncleanness and isolation in the Bible, serves as a powerful symbol of sin and impurity. Through this visual demonstration, God is showing Moses that He has the power to cleanse and purify, ultimately preparing Moses for his role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. This verse also underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, as Moses is being shown that God's power is not to be taken lightly. In studying the word 'leper' in this context, it would be beneficial to delve into the Hebrew meaning behind it, further illuminating the significance of this miraculous sign in the larger narrative of the Exodus story.
Exodus 4:6 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Jehovah said furthermore unto him, Put now thy hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as [white as] snow.
World English Bible
Yahweh said furthermore to him, “Now put your hand inside your cloak.” He put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow.
Douay-Rheims
And the Lord said again: Put thy hand into thy bosom. And when he had put it into his bosom, he brought it forth leprous as snow.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Lord saide furthermore vnto him, Thrust nowe thine hand into thy bosome. And he thrust his hand into his bosome, and when he tooke it out againe, behold, his hand was leprous as snowe.