Exodus 4:22

22 Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son,

Exodus 4:22 in Other Translations

22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son,

22 Then you will tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son.

22 Then you are to tell Pharaoh, 'God's Message: Israel is my son, my firstborn!

22 Then you will say to Pharaoh: This is what the Lord says: Israel is My firstborn son.

Exodus 4:22 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 4:22

And thou shall say unto Pharaoh
When arrived in Egypt, and in his presence: thus saith the Lord;
he was to declare to him that he came in his name, and by his orders, and, as an ambassador of his, required the dismission of the children of Israel out of Egypt: Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn;
as dear to him as a man's firstborn is, or as his only son: adoption is one of the privileges peculiar to Israel after the flesh, even national adoption, with all the external privileges appertaining to it, ( Romans 9:4 Romans 9:5 ) .

Exodus 4:22 In-Context

20 So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.

21 The LORD said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

22 Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son,

23 and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”

24 At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 10:15; Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 3:19; Jeremiah 31:9; Hosea 11:1; Malachi 2:10; Romans 9:4; 2 Corinthians 6:18