Exodus 6:10-13 Meaning: God's Quiet Answer to Our Weakness
10Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
11“Go in, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.”
12Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, “Behold, the children of Israel haven’t listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, when I have uncircumcised lips?”
13Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a command to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
10And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
11Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
12And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
13And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
10And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
11Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
12And Moses spake before Jehovah, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
13And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
10And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,
11`Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he doth send the sons of Israel out of his land;
12and Moses speaketh before Jehovah, saying, `Lo, the sons of Israel have not hearkened unto me, and how doth Pharaoh hear me, and I of uncircumcised lips?'
13And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and chargeth them for the sons of Israel, and for Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt.
10And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
11Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
12And Moses spoke before Jehovah, saying, Lo, the children of Israel do not hearken to me: how then should Pharaoh hearken to me, to me of uncircumcised lips?
13And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a commandment to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does God give the same command right after Israel's despair and Moses' objection? This passage shows His persistence when we feel unfit.
Context
By now Moses has already been to Pharaoh once, and it went badly. The king only made the work harder, and the Israelites turned against Moses for making things worse (Exodus 5:20, 21). Then God spoke glorious promises of rescue (Exodus 6:6, 8), but when Moses delivered them, the people could not listen, their spirits were crushed by cruel slavery (verse 9). Right into that silence, God speaks again. The command is almost the same as the first: go to Pharaoh, demand release. But this time the request is different, not a three-day journey but a full departure from Egypt.
Key Words
Three words carry the weight of this scene. The first is uncircumcised lips (עֲרַל שְׂפָתָיִם). In Hebrew, circumcision often means something opened, purified, made fit. Uncircumcised lips suggests speech that is blocked, as if a barrier keeps the words from coming freely. It is the same word used for an uncircumcised heart (Leviticus 26:41) or uncircumcised ear (Jeremiah 6:10), something that cannot receive or transmit as it should. Moses is not just shy; he feels his mouth is closed off.
The second word is listened (שָׁמְעוּ, shame'u). The people have not listened; why would Pharaoh? The Hebrew verb carries the sense of hearing with attention and obedience. Moses sees a pattern of refusal that makes his own task feel hopeless.
Finally, notice how Moses speaks: before Yahweh (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה). He does not curse or turn away. He brings his failure straight into God's presence. Even his objection is a form of prayer.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen both honesty and frailty in Moses' response. Matthew Henry describes him as “discouraged and willing to give up the cause,” while Calvin emphasizes God's “extraordinary loving-kindness” in continuing to work with a people who seem bent on rejecting help. Keil and Delitzsch note that the people's despair was not impatience but “anguish, inward pressure, which prevents a man from breathing properly.”
Both Reformed and Wesleyan commentators agree that God's silence in verse 13, He does not directly answer Moses' objection, is itself an answer. By giving the same charge and including Aaron, God steadies Moses without rebuke. The command stands, and the mission moves forward on God's strength, not the messenger's eloquence.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think God ignores or dismisses Moses' objection, leaving him to struggle alone. In fact, God responds by giving Aaron a share in the charge. He sees Moses' need for companionship and supplies it without a word of correction. The real answer to “I cannot speak” is not a fix for the lips but a partner for the road.
Living This Out
Maybe this week you have already tried, and it fell apart. You spoke the truth to someone you love, and they turned away. You prayed for a situation, and it got worse. Now you face the same task again, and your words feel useless.
Moses shows us what to do with that feeling: bring it to God, honestly, without hiding. Then watch what God does. He does not always change the mission. But He may give you a friend to carry it with you, or simply the quiet strength to go back in. The charge remains, and the One who gave it has already provided what you lack.
Main takeaway: God does not wait for us to feel ready; He gives the command and supplies what we lack, often through the people He places beside us.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told Moses to talk to the king. Moses said, “My mouth doesn't work well.” God gave him Aaron to help. God helps us too.
For ages 9, 12
Moses had already tried to help God's people, and it went badly. The people were angry, and the king made things worse. When God told him to try again, Moses felt like he couldn't do it, his own people wouldn't listen, so why would the king? But God didn't change His plan. He gave Moses a partner, Aaron, and sent them together. Sometimes God asks us to keep going even when we feel we've already failed. He provides what we need for the next step, even if it's just a friend to stand with us.
Questions People Ask
What does 'uncircumcised lips' mean?
In the Bible, 'uncircumcised' often describes something closed or blocked, an uncircumcised ear cannot hear clearly, an uncircumcised heart resists God's words. 'Uncircumcised lips' means speech that struggles to come out, like a stammer or a sense of being unable to speak well. Moses felt his mouth was unfit for the task.
Why did God send Aaron after Moses objected?
God did not argue with Moses or correct his fear. Instead, He gave Moses a partner. By including Aaron in the command, God supplied what Moses lacked, someone to speak beside him. This shows God's patience: He does not always remove our limitations, but He provides for them.
Why does God say the same thing again when it already failed the first time?
God repeats His command because His purpose does not depend on human success or failure. The first request was for a temporary feast; now He demands full departure. Each step moves the plan forward. God's persistence is a gift: He does not give up on His people, even when they have given up on themselves.
Was Moses sinning by complaining?
The passage does not treat his words as sin. Moses speaks 'before Yahweh', openly, in God's presence. The psalms are full of this kind of honest lament. God does not rebuke him; He simply moves forward. It is possible to bring our fear and frustration to God without it being rebellion.
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