Exodus 4:3

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Then He said, 'Throw it to the ground.' So Moses threw it to the ground, and it became a serpent, and he ran away from it.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַשְׁלִיכֵ֣הוּ אַ֔רְצָה וַיַּשְׁלִיכֵ֥הוּ אַ֖רְצָה וַיְהִ֣י לְנָחָ֑שׁ וַיָּ֥נָס מֹשֶׁ֖ה מִפָּנָֽיו׃

Transliteration

And yōʾmer hašlîkēhû ʾarṣâh and yašlîkēhû ʾarṣâh and yĕhî to-nāḥāš and yānās Mōšeh from-pānāyw.

Grammar Details

• *yōʾmer*: qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular with waw conversive - said
• *hašlîkēhû*: hiphil imperative, masculine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix - throw/cast it
• *ʾarṣâh*: noun, feminine singular with directional hey - to the ground
• *yašlîkēhû*: hiphil imperfect, 3rd masculine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix with waw conversive - he threw it
• *yĕhî*: qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular with waw conversive - it became
• *nāḥāš*: noun, masculine singular - serpent/snake
• *yānās*: qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular with waw conversive - he fled
• *Mōšeh*: proper noun, masculine singular - Moses
• *pānāyw*: noun, masculine plural construct with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his face/presence

Word Meanings

• *nāḥāš*: serpent/snake
• *pānāyw*: face/presence/from before it

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And he sayde, cast it on the grounde, and it turned vnto a serpent. And Moses ra awaye from it.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  He sayde: Cast it from the vpon the grounde. And he cast it fro him: then was it turned to a serpent. And Moses fled fro it.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Then said he, Cast it on the ground. So he cast it on the grounde, and it was turned into a serpent: and Moses fled from it.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And he sayde: Cast it on the grounde. And he cast it on the grounde, and it became a serpent: and Moyses fled fro the syght of it.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  He said, "Throw it on the ground." He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses ran away from it.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and He saith, `Cast it to the earth;' and he casteth it to the earth, and it becometh a serpent -- and Moses fleeth from its presence.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And he said, Cast in on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And he said, Put it down on the earth. And he put it down on the earth and it became a snake; and Moses went running from it.

• World English Bible (2000)

  He said, "Throw it on the ground." He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses ran away from it.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  The LORD said,“Throw it to the ground.” So he threw it to the ground, and it became a snake, and Moses ran from it.

Referenced Verses

• Exod 4:17 : 17 And take this staff in your hand, for with it you shall perform the signs.
• Exod 7:10-15 : 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord had commanded. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. 11 Pharaoh then summoned the wise men and sorcerers, and the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their secret arts. 12 Each one threw down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn; he refuses to let the people go. 15 "Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes down to the water. Wait to meet him by the riverbank, and take in your hand the staff that was turned into a snake.
• Amos 5:19 : 19 It will be as if a man flees from a lion, only to be met by a bear; or as if he enters his house, rests his hand on the wall, and a snake bites him.