New International VersionSo 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.
New Living TranslationSo Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to the land of Egypt. In his hand he carried the staff of God.
English Standard VersionSo Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.
Berean Standard BibleSo Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.
King James BibleAnd Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
New King James VersionThen Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
New American Standard BibleSo Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.
NASB 1995So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.
NASB 1977So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.
Legacy Standard BibleSo Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.
Amplified BibleSo Moses took his wife [Zipporah] and his sons [Gershom and Eliezer] and seated them on donkeys, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.
Christian Standard BibleSo Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took God’s staff in his hand.
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took God’s staff in his hand.
American Standard VersionAnd Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
Contemporary English VersionSo Moses put his wife and sons on donkeys and headed for Egypt, holding the walking stick that had the power of God.
English Revised VersionAnd Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSo Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and started out for Egypt. He also brought with him the staff God had told him to take.
Good News TranslationSo Moses took his wife and his sons, put them on a donkey, and set out with them for Egypt, carrying the walking stick that God had told him to take.
International Standard VersionSo Moses took his wife and son, put them on donkeys, and headed back to the land of Egypt. Moses took the staff of God in his hand.
NET BibleThen Moses took his wife and sons and put them on a donkey and headed back to the land of Egypt, and Moses took the staff of God in his hand.
New Heart English BibleMoses took his wife and his sons, and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. Moses took God's rod in his hand.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Moses took his wife, and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.
World English BibleMoses took his wife and his sons, and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. Moses took God’s rod in his hand. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Moses takes his wife, and his sons, and causes them to ride on the donkey, and turns back to the land of Egypt, and Moses takes the rod of God in his hand.
Young's Literal Translation and Moses taketh his wife, and his sons, and causeth them to ride on the ass, and turneth back to the land of Egypt, and Moses taketh the rod of God in his hand.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Moses will take his wife and his sons, and will cause them to ride upon an ass, and he will turn back to the land of Egypt And Moses will take the rod of God in his hand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMoses therefore took his wife, and his sons, and set them upon an ass: and returned into Egypt, carrying the rod of God in his hand.
Catholic Public Domain VersionTherefore, Moses took his wife and his sons, and he placed them upon a donkey, and he returned into Egypt, carrying the staff of God in his hand.
New American BibleSo Moses took his wife and his sons, mounted them on the donkey, and started back to the land of Egypt. Moses took the staff of God with him.
New Revised Standard VersionSo Moses took his wife and his sons, put them on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt; and Moses carried the staff of God in his hand. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and started on his way back to Egypt; and he took the staff of God in his hand.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Moshe took his wife and his children and mounted them on donkeys, and returned to go to Egypt, and Moshe took the staff of God in his hand. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt; and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Moses took his wife and his children, and mounted them on the beasts, and returned to Egypt; and Moses took the rod which he had from God in his hand.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Moses Leaves for Egypt… 19Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who sought to kill you are dead.” 20So Mosestookhis wifeand sons,put themona donkey,and headed backto Egypt.And hetookthe staffof Godin his hand.21The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.…
Cross References Acts 7:29-30At this remark, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he lived as a foreigner and had two sons. / After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.
Hebrews 11:24-27By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. ...
Numbers 20:8-11“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” / So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded. / Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” ...
Matthew 2:13-15When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Genesis 46:1-4So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. / And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. / “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ...
Acts 7:36He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.
Deuteronomy 6:21-23then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. / But He brought us out from there to lead us in and give us the land that He had sworn to our fathers.
1 Kings 19:19-21So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.
Matthew 10:37-39Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; / and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. / Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Genesis 31:17-18Then Jacob got up and put his children and his wives on camels, / and he drove all his livestock before him, along with all the possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land in Canaan.
Acts 7:22So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
Exodus 18:2-5After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her, / along with her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” / The other son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” ...
1 Samuel 12:6-8Then Samuel said to the people, “The LORD is the One who appointed Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. / Now present yourselves, so that I may confront you before the LORD with all the righteous acts He has done for you and your fathers. / When Jacob went to Egypt, your fathers cried out to the LORD, and He sent them Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.
Luke 9:61-62Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” / Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Genesis 12:4-5So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. / And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,
Treasury of Scripture And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them on an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. the rod of God. Exodus 4:2,17 And the LORD said unto him, Whatis that in thine hand? And he said, A rod… Exodus 17:9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. Numbers 20:8,9 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink… Jump to Previous AssCausethDonkeyEgyptGod'sHandMosesMountedRideRodStaffStartedTurnethWifeJump to Next AssCausethDonkeyEgyptGod'sHandMosesMountedRideRodStaffStartedTurnethWifeExodus 4 1.Moses's rod is turned into a serpent.6.His hand is leprous.10.He loathes his calling.13.Aaron is appointed to assist him.18.Moses departs from Jethro.21.God's message to Pharaoh.24.Zipporah circumcises her son.27.Aaron is sent to meet Moses.29.The people believe them.So Moses took his wife and sonsMoses' family, including his wife Zipporah and their sons Gershom and Eliezer, accompany him on his journey back to Egypt. This reflects the importance of family unity and support in fulfilling God's calling. The inclusion of his family highlights the personal sacrifice and commitment involved in Moses' mission. It also underscores the significance of family in God's covenantal promises, as seen in the patriarchal narratives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. put them on a donkey
The use of a donkey for travel indicates the modest means of Moses' family, contrasting with the wealth and power of Egypt. Donkeys were common beasts of burden in the ancient Near East, used for transporting people and goods. This detail connects to other biblical narratives where donkeys play a role, such as Balaam's donkey (Numbers 22) and Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11), symbolizing humility and peace. and headed back to Egypt
Moses' return to Egypt marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as he is about to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of bondage. This journey signifies obedience to God's command and the beginning of the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham regarding the deliverance of his descendants. Egypt, a place of both refuge and oppression for the Israelites, serves as a backdrop for God's redemptive power. And he took the staff of God in his hand
The staff, once an ordinary shepherd's tool, becomes a symbol of divine authority and power. It is through this staff that God performs miraculous signs, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation and His ability to deliver His people. The staff foreshadows the cross of Christ, through which ultimate deliverance is achieved. The transformation of the staff into a tool of God's power parallels the transformation of Moses from a shepherd to a leader of God's people. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. His journey back to Egypt marks the beginning of his mission. 2. Moses' Wife and SonsMoses' family accompanies him, highlighting the personal sacrifice and commitment involved in following God's call. 3. DonkeyThe mode of transportation for Moses' family, symbolizing humility and readiness for the journey. 4. EgyptThe land Moses is returning to, where he will confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. 5. The Staff of GodA symbol of divine authority and power, the staff represents God's presence and support for Moses' mission. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CallMoses' actions demonstrate obedience to God's command, even when it involves personal sacrifice. We are called to trust and obey God's direction in our lives. Family and FaithMoses takes his family with him, showing the importance of involving our loved ones in our spiritual journey and mission. Symbol of AuthorityThe staff of God signifies divine authority. As believers, we carry the authority of Christ in our mission to share the Gospel. Preparation for MissionMoses' journey back to Egypt is a preparation phase. We must be prepared spiritually and practically for the tasks God assigns us. Trust in God's ProvisionThe journey to Egypt required trust in God's provision and protection. We are encouraged to rely on God's faithfulness in our own journeys. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Exodus 4:20?
2.How does Moses' obedience in Exodus 4:20 inspire our own faith journey today?
3.What significance do Moses' "wife and sons" have in fulfilling God's mission?
4.How can we trust God's provision as Moses did with "the staff of God"?
5.Connect Exodus 4:20 with another instance of God equipping His servants in Scripture.
6.How can we apply Moses' example of readiness to our daily spiritual walk?
7.Why did Moses take his family back to Egypt despite the dangers?
8.What is the significance of Moses carrying the "staff of God" in Exodus 4:20?
9.How does Exodus 4:20 reflect Moses' faith and obedience to God's command?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 4?
11.What similarities exist between Moses and Jesus?
12.What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?
13.(Exodus 4:2-5) How could Moses' staff physically transform into a snake and then revert back without any natural or scientific basis?
14.Why did Aaron create the golden calf for worship?What Does Exodus 4:20 Mean So Moses took his wife and sons,• Moses’ obedience is immediate and family‐inclusive, echoing Abram’s departure inGenesis 12:4–5. • Spiritual leadership begins at home; seeJoshua 24:15 and1 Timothy 3:4 for the expectation that a godly man leads his household in following God’s call. • God never separates mission from family responsibility; He weaves them together.
put them on a donkey,• The donkey signals a humble, ordinary means of travel—no royal procession, just simple trust; compareGenesis 22:3 andZechariah 9:9/Matthew 21:5 where humility and divine purpose meet. • Provision for the journey: God equips with what is at hand, just as He later multiplies a shepherd boy’s sling (1 Samuel 17:40). • The detail reminds us that obedience often looks mundane before it looks miraculous.
and headed back to Egypt.• Egypt had been Moses’ place of failure and fear (Exodus 2:14–15), yet God turns it into the stage for redemption; seeActs 7:34 for Heaven’s viewpoint on that return. • Like Jacob inGenesis 46:4 and the Holy Family inMatthew 2:19–21, Moses moves at God’s timing, showing that destinations are safe only when directed by the Lord. • Courage is not the absence of fear but choosing to follow God despite it, grounded in the promise ofExodus 3:12: “I will surely be with you.”
And he took the staff of God in his hand.• Once an ordinary shepherd’s rod, now the “staff of God” (Exodus 4:17) because it has been surrendered to the Lord—symbolizing delegated authority akin to the apostles’ use of Jesus’ name inActs 3:6. • Every upcoming sign—the Nile turned to blood, the parting of the sea (Exodus 14:16), victory over Amalek (Exodus 17:9)—traces back to this object as a visual reminder that power belongs to God, not the instrument. • Carrying the staff models how believers should bear the gospel: simple yet supernaturally empowered (2 Corinthians 4:7).
summaryExodus 4:20 captures a moment where obedience, family, humility, courageous return, and divine authority converge. Moses moves forward with loved ones, modest provisions, and the unmistakable token of God’s power. The verse invites us to trust God’s call wholeheartedly, bring our families along, accept humble means, face former fears, and rely on the Lord’s authority for every step. (20) His sons.--Only one had been mentioned previously, viz., Gershom ( Exodus 2:22), unless we accept the Vulgate addition to that place. But another had been recently born to him. Set them upon an ass.--Heb.,upon the ass, i.e., cither "uponhis ass," or, according to some, "upon asses." The singular of a substantive with the article is sometimes used for the genus (Genesis 15:11). He returned.--Rather,set out to return (??????????, LXX.). The rod of God.--An emphatic phrase. God's endowment of the rod with miraculous power had made it "the rod of God." It was the instrument by means of which most of the plagues and the other miracles were wrought (Exodus 7:20;Exodus 8:6;Exodus 8:17;Exodus 9:23;Exodus 10:13;Exodus 14:16;Exodus 17:5;Numbers 20:9; &c). . . . Verse 20. - His sons. Gershom, already mentioned ( Exodus 2:22), and Eliezer ( Exodus 18:4), who was probably an infant. Set them upon an ass. Literally, "the ass," i.e. the one ass that belonged to him. The word might best be translated " his ass." When Moses is said to have "set them upon" the animal, we need not understand "all of them." Probably Zipporah and her baby rode, while Gershom walked with his father. Though horses were known in Egypt before this, they could not be used in the Sinaitic peninsula, and the employment of an ass by Moses is thoroughly appropriate. Returned. I.e. "set out to return." Took the rod of God in his hand. This is of course the "rod" of ver. 2, which had become "the rod of God" by the miracle of vers. 3 and 4, and which God had commanded him to take to Egypt (ver. 17).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew So Mosesמֹשֶׁ֜ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgivertookוַיִּקַּ֨ח(way·yiq·qaḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To takehis wifeאִשְׁתּ֣וֹ(’iš·tōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femaleand sons,בָּנָ֗יו(bā·nāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A sonputוַיַּרְכִּבֵם֙(way·yar·ki·ḇêm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7392:To ride, to place upon, to despatchthem onעַֽל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againsta donkey,הַחֲמֹ֔ר(ha·ḥă·mōr)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2543:A male assand headed backוַיָּ֖שָׁב(way·yā·šāḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againto Egypt.מִצְרָ֑יִם(miṣ·rā·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest AfricaAnd [he]מֹשֶׁ֛ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgivertookוַיִּקַּ֥ח(way·yiq·qaḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To takethe staffמַטֵּ֥ה(maṭ·ṭêh)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294:A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribeof Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativein his hand.בְּיָדֽוֹ׃(bə·yā·ḏōw)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027:A hand
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OT Law: Exodus 4:20 Moses took his wife and his sons (Exo. Ex) |
