Exodus 7:2 (KJV)

What does Exodus 7:2 mean?

Exodus 7:2 means that God is instructing Moses to say everything God commands him, while Aaron, Moses’ brother, will be the one to actually speak these words to Pharaoh. The goal is for Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Moses, giving him clear instructions about his role and Aaron’s role in confronting Pharaoh. Moses is to receive God’s commands, but Aaron will act as the spokesperson before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This arrangement addresses Moses’ earlier concerns about his speaking ability and sets up a partnership between the two brothers as they carry out God’s plan.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 7:2

• The word “speak” (דָּבַר, dabar) appears twice in this verse and means “to speak” or “to declare.” The repetition highlights the importance of both Moses’ and Aaron’s roles in communicating God’s message, even though Moses receives the command and Aaron delivers it.
• The word “command” (צָוָה, tsavah) means “to order” or “to instruct.” This emphasizes that Moses is not to choose his own words but must relay exactly what God tells him.
• The word “send” (שָׁלַח, shalach) means “to send away” or “to let go.” Here, it refers to Pharaoh releasing the Israelites from Egypt, making clear that the demand is for their complete release, not just a temporary reprieve.

Why Exodus 7:2 matters

• This verse clarifies the division of labor between Moses and Aaron, showing that God accommodates Moses’ hesitation by allowing Aaron to be the public speaker.
• It emphasizes that the message to Pharaoh comes directly from God, not from Moses or Aaron’s own ideas, reinforcing the authority behind their words.
• The verse connects to the larger story by setting up the repeated confrontations with Pharaoh, where Aaron will speak but Moses remains the one receiving God’s instructions.