Exodus 4:2

2 dixit ergo ad eum quid est hoc quod tenes in manu tua respondit virga

Exodus 4:2 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 4:2

And the Lord said unto him
Not reproving him for contradicting him, or showing any diffidence of what he had said; but rather as approving the hint he gave of having some sign or miracle wrought, to command from the Israelites an assent unto him, as commissioned of God to deliver them: what [is] that in thine hand?
which question is put, not as being ignorant of what it was, but to lead on to what he had further to say, and to the working of the miracle: and he said, a rod;
or staff, such as shepherds use in the management of their flocks, for Moses was now feeding the flock of his father-in-law; but Aben Ezra seems rather to think it was a walking staff, such as ancient men lean upon, since Moses did not go to Pharaoh after the manner of a shepherd; yea, it may be added, he went with the authority of a prince or ruler of Israel, and even with the authority of the ambassador of the King of kings.

Exodus 4:2 In-Context

1 respondens Moses ait non credent mihi neque audient vocem meam sed dicent non apparuit tibi Dominus

2 dixit ergo ad eum quid est hoc quod tenes in manu tua respondit virga

3 ait proice eam in terram proiecit et versa est in colubrum ita ut fugeret Moses

4 dixitque Dominus extende manum tuam et adprehende caudam eius extendit et tenuit versaque est in virgam

5 ut credant inquit quod apparuerit tibi Dominus Deus patrum tuorum Deus Abraham Deus Isaac Deus Iacob