Exodus 4:16
New International Version
He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.

New Living Translation
Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say.

English Standard Version
He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.

Berean Standard Bible
He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him.

King James Bible
And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

New King James Version
So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.

New American Standard Bible
He shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.

NASB 1995
“Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.

NASB 1977
“Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and it shall come about that he shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be as God to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will become as a mouth for you, and you will become as God to him.

Amplified Bible
Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you].

Christian Standard Bible
He will speak to the people for you. He will serve as a mouth for you, and you will serve as God to him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and you will serve as God to him.

American Standard Version
And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and it shall come to pass, that he shall be to thee a mouth, and thou shalt be to him as God.

English Revised Version
And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and it shall come to pass, that he shall be to thee a mouth, and thou shalt be to him as God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Aaron will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and you will be like God.

Good News Translation
He will be your spokesman and speak to the people for you. Then you will be like God, telling him what to say.

International Standard Version
He is to speak to the people for you as your spokesman and you are to act in the role of God for him.

Majority Standard Bible
He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him.

NET Bible
He will speak for you to the people, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were his God.

New Heart English Bible
He will be your spokesman to the people; and it will happen, that he will be to you a mouth, and you will be to him as God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he shall speak for thee to the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

World English Bible
He will be your spokesman to the people. It will happen that he will be to you a mouth, and you will be to him as God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he, he has spoken to the people for you, and it has come to pass, he is to you for a mouth, and you are to him for God;

Young's Literal Translation
and he, he hath spoken for thee unto the people, and it hath come to pass, he -- he is to thee for a mouth, and thou -- thou art to him for God;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he the word for thee to the people: and being, he shall be to thee for a mouth, and thou shalt be to him for God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He shall speak in thy stead to the people, and shall be thy mouth: but thou shalt be to him in those things that pertain to God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He will speak for you to the people, and he will be your mouth. But you will be with him in those things that pertain to God.

New American Bible
He will speak to the people for you: he will be your spokesman, and you will be as God to him.

New Revised Standard Version
He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall be your spokesman to the people; and he shall be an interpreter for you, and you shall be to him instead of God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He shall speak for you with the people and he shall be an interpreter for you and you shall be for his God to him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and it shall come to pass, that he shall be to thee a mouth, and thou shalt be to him in God's stead.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall speak for thee to the people, and he shall be thy mouth, and thou shalt be for him in things pertaining to God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Appointment of Aaron
15You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth. I will help both of you to speak, and I will teach you what to do. 16He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him. 17But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it.”…

Cross References
Exodus 7:1-2
The LORD answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. / You are to speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land.

Numbers 12:6-8
He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. / But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. / I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”

Deuteronomy 18:18-19
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. / And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name.

Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

Isaiah 51:16
I have put My words in your mouth, and covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”

1 Samuel 9:9
(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)

1 Kings 17:24
Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is truth.”

2 Kings 17:13
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”

Ezekiel 3:4-7
Then He said to me, “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak My words to them. / For you are not being sent to a people of unfamiliar speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel— / not to the many peoples of unfamiliar speech and difficult language whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. ...

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Matthew 10:19-20
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Luke 1:70
as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 12:49-50
I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”

Acts 3:22-23
For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you. / Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’


Treasury of Scripture

And he shall be your spokesman to the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to you instead of a mouth, and you shall be to him instead of God.

Exodus 7:1,2
And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet…

Exodus 18:19
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

Psalm 82:6
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Jump to Previous
God's Instead Moreover Mouth Speak Spokesman Stead Talking Thou
Jump to Next
God's Instead Moreover Mouth Speak Spokesman Stead Talking Thou
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.














He will speak
In this phrase, "he" refers to Aaron, Moses' brother, who is appointed by God to be Moses' spokesperson. The Hebrew root for "speak" is "דָּבַר" (dabar), which means to declare, converse, or command. This highlights the importance of communication in leadership and the divine orchestration in ensuring that God's message is delivered accurately. Historically, Aaron's role as a speaker underscores the communal and cooperative nature of leadership in Israel's history, where God often uses multiple individuals to accomplish His purposes.

to the people
The phrase "to the people" indicates the audience of Aaron's speech, which is the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "people" is "עַם" (am), often used to denote a community bound by shared identity and covenant with God. This reflects the collective identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people, who are to be led out of Egypt. The historical context here is crucial, as the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt, and this communication was part of God's plan to liberate them and fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

for you
"For you" signifies that Aaron's role as a speaker is on behalf of Moses. This phrase emphasizes the partnership between Moses and Aaron, where Aaron acts as Moses' mouthpiece. The Hebrew preposition "לְ" (le) can mean "for" or "to," indicating purpose or direction. This highlights the supportive role Aaron plays in Moses' mission, illustrating the theme of divine provision and support in fulfilling God's calling.

He will be your spokesman
The term "spokesman" in Hebrew is "פֶּה" (peh), which literally means "mouth." This metaphorical use underscores Aaron's role as the communicator of Moses' words. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a spokesman was often a trusted individual who conveyed the words of a leader or deity. This arrangement between Moses and Aaron reflects the divine strategy to overcome Moses' hesitancy and perceived inadequacies in speech, showing that God equips and empowers His servants for their tasks.

and you will be
This phrase indicates a future role or state for Moses. The Hebrew verb "תִּהְיֶה" (tihyeh) is in the imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing or future action. This points to the evolving nature of Moses' leadership and his growing relationship with God. It is a reminder that God's call often involves a process of transformation and growth, where individuals are shaped and prepared for their divine assignments.

as God to him
The phrase "as God to him" is profound, indicating that Moses will serve as a divine representative to Aaron. The Hebrew word "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim) is used here, which can mean God or gods, but in this context, it signifies authority and divine representation. This does not imply that Moses becomes divine but rather that he acts with God's authority in his relationship with Aaron. This reflects the biblical theme of mediation, where certain individuals are chosen to convey God's will to others, foreshadowing the ultimate mediation of Christ. Moses' role as "God to him" underscores the seriousness and sacredness of his mission, as well as the trust God places in him to lead His people.

(16) He shall be thy spokesman.--Heb.,He shall speak for thee.

He shall be, even he shall be.--Rather, it shall come to pass that he shall be, &c.

Instead of God.--God did not speak to Aaron directly, but only through Moses. Aaron was to recognise in Moses God's mouthpiece, and to consider what Moses told him as coming from God. Moses had still, therefore, the higher position.

Verse 16. - He shall be thy spokesman. Literally, "He shall speak for thee." He shall be, even he. It is the verb that is repeated, not the pronoun. Probably the meaning is, "he shall surely be." There is no comparison between Aaron and anyone else. Thou shalt be to him instead of God. Divine inspiration, that is, shall rest on thee; and it shall be his duty to accept thy words as Divine words, and to do all that thou biddest him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He
ה֥וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will speak
וְדִבֶּר־ (wə·ḏib·ber-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the people for you.
הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

He
הוּא֙ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will be
וְהָ֤יָה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

your spokesman,
לְפֶ֔ה (lə·p̄eh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

and it will be
תִּֽהְיֶה־ (tih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

as if you were
וְאַתָּ֖ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

God
לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃ (lê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

to him.
לּ֥וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


Links
Exodus 4:16 NIV
Exodus 4:16 NLT
Exodus 4:16 ESV
Exodus 4:16 NASB
Exodus 4:16 KJV

Exodus 4:16 BibleApps.com
Exodus 4:16 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 4:16 Chinese Bible
Exodus 4:16 French Bible
Exodus 4:16 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 4:16 He will be your spokesman to (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 4:15
Top of Page
Top of Page