And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

EXODUS 4:8KJV
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Exodus 4:8 (KJV)

What does Exodus 4:8 mean?

Exodus 4:8 says that if the Israelites do not believe Moses or pay attention to the first miraculous sign he performs, they may believe after seeing the second sign. God is preparing Moses for the possibility that the people might be skeptical at first, but will be given another chance to recognize that God has truly sent him.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Moses at the burning bush, explaining how to convince the Israelites that God has appeared to him. The "first sign" and "latter sign" refer to miracles God empowers Moses to perform—first turning his staff into a snake, then making his hand leprous and restoring it. The verse shows God’s understanding of human doubt and his willingness to provide more than one sign to help the people believe.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 4:8

  • "Believe" (אָמַן, 'aman, H539) means to trust or have confidence in. Here, it highlights the challenge Moses faces in gaining the people's trust and the importance of evidence for belief.
  • "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shama', H8085) means to listen with the intent to obey. The verse points out that the people may not just doubt, but may also refuse to pay attention or respond to Moses at first.
  • "Voice" (קוֹל, qol, H6963) usually means sound or voice, but here it refers to the message or impact of the sign itself, as if the miracle is "speaking" to the people.
  • "Sign" (אוֹת, 'ot, H226) means a miraculous sign or proof. The use of this word shows that these are not just tricks, but meaningful acts meant to reveal God's power and authority.

Why Exodus 4:8 matters

  • Exodus 4:8 shows that God anticipates human hesitation and provides reassurance, offering multiple signs to help overcome disbelief.
  • The verse clarifies that miracles in the Bible are not just displays of power, but are meant to communicate a message—here, to confirm Moses’ divine commission.
  • This verse connects to the wider story by showing God’s patience and understanding of the Israelites’ need for convincing evidence before following Moses.

Where else these words appear

“latter” Hebrew H314 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 33:2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:27 For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:
  • Psalms 78:6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

“sign” Hebrew H226 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
  • Deuteronomy 4:34 Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
  • Psalms 65:8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

“believe” Hebrew H539 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Kings 17:14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
  • Psalms 106:24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: