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Bible >Exodus >Chapter 6 > Verse 12
◄ Exodus 6:12►
New International Version
But Moses said to the LORD, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”

New Living Translation
“But LORD!” Moses objected. “My own people won’t listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker!”

English Standard Version
But Moses said to the LORD, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”

Berean Standard Bible
But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”

King James Bible
And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, whoam of uncircumcised lips?

New King James Version
And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for Iam of uncircumcised lips?”

New American Standard Bible
But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, as I am unskilled in speech?”

NASB 1995
But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?”

NASB 1977
But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?”

Legacy Standard Bible
But Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”

Amplified Bible
But Moses said to the LORD, “Look, [my own people] the Israelites have not listened to me; so how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilledand inept in speech?”

Christian Standard Bible
But Moses said in the LORD’s presence, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Moses said in the LORD’s presence: “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker?”

American Standard Version
And 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?

Contemporary English Version
But Moses replied, "I'm not a powerful speaker. If the Israelites won't listen to me, why should the king of Egypt?"

English Revised Version
And 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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Moses protested to the LORD, "The Israelites wouldn't listen to me. Why would Pharaoh listen to me? I'm such a poor speaker."

Good News Translation
But Moses replied, "Even the Israelites will not listen to me, so why should the king? I am such a poor speaker."

International Standard Version
Then Moses said right in front of the LORD, "Look, the Israelis didn't listen to me, so how will Pharaoh? I'm not a persuasive speaker"

NET Bible
But Moses replied to the LORD, "If the Israelites did not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with difficulty?"

New Heart English Bible
Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, "Look, the children of Israel haven't listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, who am of uncircumcised lips?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”

World English Bible
Moses 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?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Moses speaks before YHWH, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me, and how does Pharaoh hear me, and I of uncircumcised lips?”

Young's Literal Translation
and 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?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will speak before Jehovah, saying, Behold, the sons of Israel heard not to me; and how shall Pharaoh hear me, and I of uncircumcised lips?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Moses answered before the Lord Behold the children of Israel do no hearken to me; and how will Pharao hear me, especially as I am of uncircumcised lips?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moses responded in the sight the Lord: “Behold, the sons of Israel do not listen to me. And how will Pharaoh listen to me, especially since I am of uncircumcised lips?”

New American Bible
However, Moses protested to the LORD, “If the Israelites did not listen to me, how is it possible that Pharaoh will listen to me, poor speaker that I am!”

New Revised Standard Version
But Moses spoke to the LORD, “The Israelites have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Moses said to the LORD, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am a stutterer?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe said, “LORD JEHOVAH, behold, the children of Israel do not listen to me. How will Pharaoh listen to me, for my tongue stutters?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses spoke 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?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel hearkened not to me, and how shall Pharao hearken to me? and I am not eloquent.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Promises Deliverance
…11“Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land.”12But in the LORD’spresenceMosesreplied,“Ifthe Israeliteswill notlistento me,then whywould Pharaohlisten to me,since Iam unskilledin speech?”13Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge concerning both the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.…

Cross References
Exodus 4:10-13
“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.” / And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? / Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” ...

Exodus 3:11
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Numbers 12:3
Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.

Jeremiah 1:6
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Ezekiel 3:7
But the house of Israel will be unwilling to listen to you, since they are unwilling to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted.

Acts 7:22
So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Hebrews 11:27
By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.

Romans 10:16
But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

John 12:37-38
Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Matthew 13:14-15
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Mark 6:4-6
Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.” / So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them. / And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.

Luke 4:24
Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.


Treasury of Scripture

And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

children

Exodus 6:9
And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

Exodus 3:13
And Moses said unto God, Behold,when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, Whatis his name? what shall I say unto them?

Exodus 4:29-31
And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: …

am.

Exodus 4:10
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, Iam not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but Iam slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

Exodus 6:30
And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, Iam of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

Exodus 4:10
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, Iam not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but Iam slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

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Exodus 6
1.God renews his promise by his name JEHOVAH
9.Moses vainly attempts to encourage the Israelites
10.He and Aaron are again sent to Pharaoh
14.Genealogies of Reuben, Simeon and Levi, of whom came Moses and Aaron
26.The history resumed














But in the LORD’s presence
This phrase indicates Moses is directly communicating with God, highlighting the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leader. The presence of the LORD is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, signifying divine authority and guidance. This setting underscores the gravity of the conversation and the divine mission Moses is tasked with.

Moses replied
Moses' response reflects his ongoing struggle with self-doubt and inadequacy. Despite witnessing God's power, Moses often questions his own abilities. This humanizes Moses, showing that even great leaders in the Bible faced personal challenges. His dialogue with God is reminiscent of other biblical figures who expressed doubt, such as Gideon inJudges 6:15.

If the Israelites will not listen to me
Moses refers to the earlier incident where the Israelites, burdened by slavery, did not heed his message of deliverance (Exodus 6:9). This reflects the Israelites' despair and loss of hope, a common theme in their history. Their initial disbelief sets the stage for the miraculous signs and wonders that God will perform to affirm His promise.

then why would Pharaoh listen to me
Moses questions the likelihood of Pharaoh, a powerful ruler, heeding his words when his own people have not. This highlights the political and social hierarchy of ancient Egypt, where Pharaoh was considered a god-like figure. Moses' doubt also foreshadows the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, a key element in the narrative of the Exodus.

since I am unskilled in speech?
Moses' self-assessment of his speaking abilities is a recurring theme (Exodus 4:10). This perceived weakness emphasizes God's power to use imperfect vessels for His purposes. It also prefigures the New Testament teaching that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Moses' reliance on Aaron as his spokesperson further illustrates the importance of community and support in fulfilling God's mission.

Persons / Places / Events
1.Moses
The central figure in this passage, Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Despite his initial reluctance and feelings of inadequacy, he is chosen to be God's spokesperson.

2.Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, Pharaoh is the one whom Moses is instructed to confront to demand the release of the Israelites. His heart is hardened, and he is resistant to God's command.

3.Israelites
The people of God who are enslaved in Egypt. They are the recipients of God's promise of deliverance, yet they struggle with disbelief and discouragement due to their harsh circumstances.

4.Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It represents a place of bondage and oppression from which God plans to deliver His people.

5.God (Yahweh)
The sovereign Lord who hears the cries of His people and is committed to fulfilling His covenant promises. He empowers Moses to be His messenger.
Teaching Points
Understanding Human Weakness
Moses' self-doubt ("I speak with faltering lips") reminds us that God often chooses those who feel inadequate to accomplish His purposes. Our weaknesses can highlight God's strength.

God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness
Despite Moses' doubts and the Israelites' disbelief, God's plan for deliverance is unwavering. This teaches us to trust in God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible.

The Importance of Obedience
Moses' willingness to follow God's command, despite his fears, underscores the importance of obedience in the life of a believer. Obedience often precedes understanding.

The Power of God's Word
Moses' concern about his speaking ability is overshadowed by the power of God's message. This encourages us to rely on the truth of God's Word rather than our own abilities.

Encouragement in Leadership
Leaders, like Moses, may face discouragement and doubt. This passage encourages leaders to seek God's strength and guidance in fulfilling their calling.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 6:12?

2.How does Moses' doubt in Exodus 6:12 reflect our own faith struggles?

3.What can we learn from Moses' response to God's command in Exodus 6:12?

4.How does Exodus 6:12 connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:1-3?

5.How can we overcome feelings of inadequacy when called to serve God?

6.What steps can we take to trust God's plan despite personal doubts?

7.Why did Moses doubt his ability to speak to Pharaoh in Exodus 6:12?

8.How does Exodus 6:12 reflect on human inadequacy and divine purpose?

9.What does Moses' hesitation in Exodus 6:12 reveal about faith in God's plan?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 6?

11.Did Moses have a speech impediment?

12.What does the Bible mention about stuttering?

13.Why did God kill Egypt's firstborn children?

14.Why does Stephen cite a 400-year period in Acts 7:6 when Exodus 12:40 indicates 430 years of Israelite bondage?
What Does Exodus 6:12 Mean
But in the LORD’s presence

• Moses is standing before God, not merely airing grievances to himself. That nearness magnifies both his honesty and his accountability (Exodus 3:5;Exodus 33:14).

• Being “in the LORD’s presence” reminds us that every concern can and should be voiced before Him, echoing David’s transparency inPsalm 62:8.

• God has just reaffirmed His covenant (Exodus 6:2-8). Moses’ response shows how human doubt can flare even during a divine encounter.

Moses replied

• This is not Moses’ first objection; earlier he said, “Who am I?” and “What if they will not believe me?” (Exodus 3:11; 4:1).

• The pattern reveals God’s patience with repeated questions, similar to Gideon’s requests for confirmation (Judges 6:36-40).

• Moses’ reply underscores relationship: God allows dialog, not dictation-only.

If the Israelites will not listen to me

• After Pharaoh increased their labor, “they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit” (Exodus 6:9).

• Discouraged people often tune out even truth—a lesson mirrored when Elijah fled from Jezebel, convinced Israel had rejected God (1 Kings 19:10).

• Moses equates Israel’s rejection with his own inadequacy instead of their despair, showing how leaders can misinterpret resistance.

Then why would Pharaoh listen to me

• Pharaoh had already snapped, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice?” (Exodus 5:2).

• Human logic says: if my own people dismiss me, the hostile king surely will. This is a realistic fear, yet God calls Moses to walk by faith, not probabilities (2 Corinthians 5:7).

• God’s forthcoming plagues prove that divine authority, not human persuasion, will break Pharaoh’s will (Exodus 7:5; 9:16).

Since I am unskilled in speech

• Moses raised this exact concern at the burning bush: “I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10).

• God had answered then, “I will help you speak” and provided Aaron as a mouthpiece (Exodus 4:12-16). Moses, however, falls back on the same limitation—an example of how old insecurities resurface under pressure.

• Throughout Scripture God uses reluctant speakers—Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6-9) and Paul, whose speech was said to be “contemptible” (2 Corinthians 10:10)—so that the power clearly belongs to Him (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

summary

Moses, standing before God, voices a threefold doubt: Israel won’t hear, Pharaoh surely won’t, and his speech is inadequate. The verse captures a leader overwhelmed by circumstances yet still dialoging with the Lord. God’s answer in the surrounding passage is unwavering: His covenant, His presence, and His power—not Moses’ eloquence—will secure Israel’s deliverance. In moments when our limitations shout louder than our faith,Exodus 6:12 reminds us that obedience depends on God’s sufficiency, not our skill.

(12)How then shall Pharaoh hear me?--This time the objection comes from Moses. His double rejection, by Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1-4) and by Israel (Exodus 6:9), had thrown him back into utter despondency. All that diffidence and distrust of himself which he had shown in his earlier communications with Jehovah (Exodus 3:11;Exodus 4:1;Exodus 4:10;Exodus 4:13) revived, and he despaired of success in his mission. Was it of any use his making a second appeal to the foreign monarch when he had failed with his own countrymen? . . .Verse 12. -Uncircumcised lips,i.e. "lips inefficient for the purpose for which lips are given;" as "uncircumcised ears" are ears that cannot hearken (Jeremiah 6:10), and an "uncircumcised heart" a heart that cannot understand (Jeremiah 9:26). The meaning is the same as inExodus 4:10, where Moses says that he is "slow of speech and of a slow tongue." Nothing can be determined from the expression as to the exact cause of the imperfection of which complaint is made.

CHAPTER 6:13-27

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But in the LORD’s
יְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

presence
לִפְנֵ֥י(lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The face

Moses
מֹשֶׁ֔ה(mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

replied,
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר(way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdue

“If
הֵ֤ן(hên)
Interjection
Strong's 2005:Lo! behold!

the Israelites
בְּנֵֽי־(bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A son

will not
לֹֽא־(lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

listen
שָׁמְע֣וּ(šā·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligently

to me,
אֵלַ֔י(’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to

then how
וְאֵיךְ֙(wə·’êḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 349:How?, how!, where

will Pharaoh
פַרְעֹ֔ה(p̄ar·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547:Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

listen to me,
יִשְׁמָעֵ֣נִי(yiš·mā·‘ê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligently

since I
וַאֲנִ֖י(wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:I

am unskilled
עֲרַ֥ל(‘ă·ral)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6189:Having foreskin (uncircumcised)

in speech?”
שְׂפָתָֽיִם׃(śə·p̄ā·ṯā·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 8193:The lip, language, a margin


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OT Law: Exodus 6:12 Moses spoke before Yahweh saying Behold (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 6:11
Exodus 6:13
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