And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

EXODUS 4:11KJV
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Exodus 4:11 (KJV)

What does Exodus 4:11 mean?

Exodus 4:11 records God reminding Moses that He is the one who created human abilities and limitations, including speech and the senses. God is telling Moses that He has the power to make people able to speak, hear, see, or be without those abilities, so Moses should trust Him rather than worry about his own weaknesses.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Moses, who has just expressed doubt about his ability to speak well when God asks him to confront Pharaoh. God responds by pointing out that He is the creator of the human mouth and all human abilities, making it clear that Moses’s concerns about his speech are not a barrier for God. The verse emphasizes God’s sovereignty over human abilities and disabilities, setting the stage for Moses to rely on God’s power rather than his own skill.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 4:11

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God, used here to stress that it is the covenant God of Israel speaking with authority and personal care.
  • made (שָׂם, sām): This word means “to make” or “to set,” highlighting God’s active role in forming human abilities and conditions.
  • dumb (חֵרֵשׁ, ḥērēsh) and deaf (אִלֵּם, ʾillēm): These words refer to those who cannot speak or hear, showing that God is in control not just of abilities but also of limitations.
  • seeing (פִּקֵּחַ, piqqēaḥ) and blind (עִוֵּר, ʿiwwēr): These words refer to those who can or cannot see, again stressing that all human conditions are within God’s power to give or withhold.

Why Exodus 4:11 matters

  • Exodus 4:11 clears up the misunderstanding that human weaknesses or disabilities are outside of God’s control or surprise Him; instead, it shows that God is fully aware and sovereign over every human ability.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s calling does not depend on a person’s natural strengths, but on God’s own power and purpose, which is a key theme throughout Moses’s story.
  • This statement prepares the reader for the miracles and signs that follow, showing that God can work through anyone, regardless of their perceived limitations.

Where else these words appear

“seeing” Hebrew H6493 · used in 2 verses

  • Exodus 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

“dumb” Hebrew H483 · used in 6 verses

  • Psalms 38:13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
  • Proverbs 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
  • Isaiah 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

“deaf” Hebrew H2795 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
  • Psalms 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
  • Isaiah 42:18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

“blind” Hebrew H5787 · used in 23 verses

  • Leviticus 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
  • Job 29:15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
  • Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?