Exodus 4:13
New International Version
But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

New Living Translation
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

English Standard Version
But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”

Berean Standard Bible
But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.”

King James Bible
And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

New King James Version
But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”

New American Standard Bible
But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”

NASB 1995
But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”

NASB 1977
But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever Thou wilt.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But he said, “Please, Lord, send now the message by whomever You will.”

Amplified Bible
But he said, “Please my Lord, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose].”

Christian Standard Bible
Moses said, “Please, Lord, send someone else.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Moses said, “Please, Lord, send someone else.”

American Standard Version
And he said, Oh, Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

Contemporary English Version
Moses begged, "LORD, please send someone else to do it."

English Revised Version
And he said, Oh Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Moses said, "Please, Lord, send someone else."

Good News Translation
But Moses answered, "No, Lord, please send someone else."

International Standard Version
Moses said, "Please, LORD, send somebody else."

Majority Standard Bible
But Moses replied, ?Please, Lord, send someone else.?

NET Bible
But Moses said, "O my Lord, please send anyone else whom you wish to send!"

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Oh, Lord, please send someone else."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

World English Bible
Moses said, “Oh, Lord, please send someone else.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says, “O my Lord, please send by the hand [of another that] You send.”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith, 'O, my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand Thou dost send.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, With leave, my Lord, send by the hand thou shalt send.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he said: I beseech thee, Lord send whom thou wilt send.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he said, “I beg you, O Lord, send whomever else you would send.”

New American Bible
But he said, “If you please, my Lord, send someone else!”

New Revised Standard Version
But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses said to him, O my LORD, send I beseech thee, by the hand of whomsoever thou wilt send.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe said, “I beg of you, my Lord, send by whomever you send.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Oh Lord, send, I pray Thee, by the hand of him whom Thou wilt send.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses said, I pray thee, Lord, appoint another able person whom thou shalt send.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Appointment of Aaron
12Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” 13But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.” 14Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 1:6
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Jonah 1:3
Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

Judges 6:15
“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”

1 Samuel 10:22
So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

1 Kings 19:4
while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Jeremiah 20:9
If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Luke 22:42
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Acts 9:13-15
But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. / And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” / “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray you, by the hand of him whom you will send.

send.

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 23:20
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Genesis 24:7
The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.

wilt send.

Jump to Previous
Ah Good Hand Message Moses Please Seems Someone Whomever Wilt
Jump to Next
Ah Good Hand Message Moses Please Seems Someone Whomever Wilt
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.














But Moses replied
Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is speaking directly to God. This interaction occurs at the burning bush, a significant theophany where God reveals Himself to Moses. Moses' response is part of a larger dialogue where God commissions him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This moment highlights Moses' humanity and reluctance, contrasting with his later role as a decisive leader.

“Please, Lord
The use of "Lord" indicates Moses' recognition of God's authority and sovereignty. The Hebrew term used here is "Adonai," which conveys respect and submission. This plea reflects Moses' humility and acknowledgment of God's power, yet it also reveals his hesitation and fear of the task ahead.

send someone else.”
Moses' request to send another person underscores his feelings of inadequacy and reluctance. This moment is pivotal as it shows Moses' initial resistance to God's call, a theme seen in other biblical figures like Jonah. It also foreshadows the need for divine assistance, which God provides through Aaron, Moses' brother. This reluctance can be seen as a type of Christ, who, unlike Moses, willingly accepts His mission to save humanity. Moses' hesitation contrasts with Jesus' obedience, highlighting the fulfillment of God's plan through Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
A Hebrew prophet chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. At this point in the account, Moses is hesitant and reluctant to accept God's call.

2. God (Yahweh)
The God of Israel, who appears to Moses in the burning bush and commissions him to deliver the Israelites from Egypt.

3. Mount Horeb
Also known as Mount Sinai, this is the location where Moses encounters God in the burning bush and receives his divine commission.

4. The Israelites
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are enslaved in Egypt and whom God intends to deliver through Moses.

5. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved and from which God plans to deliver them through Moses.
Teaching Points
Reluctance in God's Calling
Moses' hesitation is a common human response to divine calling. We often feel inadequate or unprepared for the tasks God sets before us.

God's Patience and Provision
Despite Moses' reluctance, God remains patient and provides Aaron as a spokesperson. This demonstrates God's understanding and provision for our weaknesses.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Trusting in God's plan and sovereignty is crucial. Even when we feel inadequate, God equips those He calls.

The Importance of Obedience
Reluctance should not lead to disobedience. Moses eventually obeys, showing that obedience is key to fulfilling God's purposes.

God's Use of Imperfect People
God often chooses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will, reminding us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.(13) Send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.--Rather, pray send by whom thou wilt. A curt, impatient, and scarcely reverent speech. Moses means that he will undertake the task if God insists; but that God would do far better to send another. Hence the "anger of the Lord" against him (Exodus 4:14), which led to Aaron's association with him as joint leader of the people.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Moses replied,
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Please,
בִּ֣י (bî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 994: Oh that!, with leave, if it please

Lord,
אֲדֹנָ֑י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

send
שְֽׁלַֽח־ (šə·laḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

someone else.”
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand


Links
Exodus 4:13 NIV
Exodus 4:13 NLT
Exodus 4:13 ESV
Exodus 4:13 NASB
Exodus 4:13 KJV

Exodus 4:13 BibleApps.com
Exodus 4:13 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 4:13 Chinese Bible
Exodus 4:13 French Bible
Exodus 4:13 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 4:13 He said Oh Lord please send someone (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 4:12
Top of Page
Top of Page