Now at a lodging place along the way
This phrase indicates a specific location during Moses' journey back to Egypt after his encounter with God at the burning bush. Lodging places were common rest stops for travelers in the ancient Near East, often near water sources or trade routes. This setting emphasizes the transitional nature of Moses' mission and the urgency of his return to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of bondage.

the LORD met Moses
The encounter with the LORD (Yahweh) is significant, as it underscores the direct and personal nature of God's relationship with Moses. This meeting is unexpected and highlights the seriousness of the situation. In the broader biblical narrative, God often meets individuals at critical junctures in their lives, such as Jacob at Peniel (Genesis 32:24-30) and Joshua near Jericho (Joshua 5:13-15).

and was about to kill him
This phrase is startling and suggests a grave offense on Moses' part. The context implies that Moses had neglected the covenantal sign of circumcision for his son, which was a critical requirement for the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 17:10-14). The severity of the LORD's response underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands and the covenant. This incident foreshadows the seriousness of covenantal faithfulness, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It also prefigures the necessity of atonement and the seriousness of sin, which are ultimately fulfilled in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

1. Moses
The central figure in this passage, Moses is on his way back to Egypt after being commissioned by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Despite his divine mission, he faces a life-threatening encounter with God due to a covenantal issue.

2. The LORD
God Himself confronts Moses, highlighting the seriousness of the covenant and obedience. This encounter underscores God's holiness and the importance of adhering to His commands.

3. Lodging Place
This unspecified location serves as the setting for this critical encounter. It represents a transitional space where God addresses an unresolved issue before Moses can proceed with his mission.

4. Zipporah
Although not mentioned in this specific verse, Zipporah, Moses' wife, plays a crucial role in the subsequent verses by intervening to save Moses' life through the act of circumcision.

5. Circumcision
The underlying issue in this passage is the lack of circumcision of Moses' son, which was a sign of the Abrahamic covenant. This act of obedience was essential for Moses to fulfill his role as the leader of God's people.The Seriousness of Covenant Faithfulness
God's confrontation with Moses underscores the importance of adhering to His covenant. As believers, we must take seriously our commitment to God's commands and the signs of our faith.

The Role of Obedience in Leadership
Moses' experience teaches us that spiritual leadership requires personal obedience. Before leading others, we must ensure our own lives align with God's standards.

The Importance of Family in Spiritual Matters
Zipporah's intervention highlights the role of family in spiritual obedience. Families should work together to uphold God's commands and support each other's faith journeys.

God's Holiness and Justice
This passage reminds us of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. We must approach God with reverence and a commitment to live according to His will.

Divine Intervention and Mercy
Despite the severity of the situation, God's willingness to relent upon Zipporah's action demonstrates His mercy. God provides opportunities for repentance and restoration.(24) In the inn.--There would not be any "inn," as we understand the word, in the Sinaitic peninsula. Probably there would not even be a caravanserai. Nothing more is meant by malon than a recognised resting-place.

The Lord met him.--The LXX. have ??????? ??????, "an angel of the Lord; "and so the Targum of Onkelos and the Arabic versions. But the existing Hebrew text is probably correct. God met Moses, i.e., visited him with a sharp attack of illness, which threatened to be fatal. Both he and his wife seem at once to have concluded that the visitation was a punishment, on account of their having neglected to circumcise their new-born son. Perhaps Moses had an intimation from God to that effect.

Verses 24-26. - The transition is abrupt from the promise of triumph over Pharaoh to the threat of instant death. But we must bear in mind that some days may have elapsed between the two, and that the sin which provoked the menace was probably not committed at the date of the promise. The narrative of verses 24-26 is obscure from its brevity; but the most probable explanation of the circumstances is, that Zipporah had been delivered of her second son, Eliezer, some few days before she set out on the journey to Egypt. Childbirth, it must be remembered, in the East does not incapacitate a person from exertion for more than a day or two. On the journey, the eighth day from the birth of the child arrived, and his circumcision ought to have taken place; but Zipporah had a repugnance to the rite, and deferred it, Moses weakly consenting to the illegality. At the close of the eighth day, when Moses went to rest for the night, he was seized with a sudden and dangerous illness, which he regarded, and rightly regarded, as a God-inflicted punishment, sent to chastise his sin in breaking the Divine command (Genesis 17:10-12). Zipporah understood the matter in the same way; and, as her husband was too ill to perform the rite, she herself with her own hand cut off her boy's foreskin, and, still indignant at what she had been forced to do, cast it at her husband's feet, with the reproach - "Surely a bloody husband art thou to me." The rite once performed, however reluctantly, God remitted his anger, and. allowed Moses to recover his health, and pursue his journey. Verse 24. - It came to pass by the way in the inn. "Inns," in our sense of the word, were unknown in the East for many ages after the time of Moses, and are still of very rare occurrence. Khans or caravanserais take their place. These are unfurnished buildings, open to all travellers, who thus obtain shelter gratis? but must provide themselves with food, bedding, and all other necessaries. It is questioned, however, if even such a place as this is here meant. Probably, the malon of Moses' time was a mere recognised halting-place, in the vicinity of a well, at which travellers were accustomed to pass the night. The Lord met him and sought to kill him. A sudden seizure, followed by a dangerous illness, is generally thought to he intended (Knobel, Kalisch, Rosenmuller, Canon Cook); but the words seem more appropriate to a miraculous appearance, like that of the angel to Balaam (Numbers 22:31). Still, it is quite possible that nothing more than an illness is meant.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Now at a lodging place
בַּמָּל֑וֹן (bam·mā·lō·wn)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4411: A lodgment, caravanserai, encampment

along the way,
בַדֶּ֖רֶךְ (ḇad·de·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

confronted [Moses]
וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁ֣הוּ (way·yip̄·gə·šê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6298: To come in contact with, to concur

and was about
וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ (way·ḇaq·qêš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

to kill him.
הֲמִיתֽוֹ׃ (hă·mî·ṯōw)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT Law: Exodus 4:24 It happened on the way at (Exo. Ex)