16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.

Other Translations of Exodus 4:16

King James Version

16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

English Standard Version

16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.

The Message

16 He will speak to the people for you. He'll act as your mouth, but you'll decide what comes out of it.

New King James Version

16 So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.

New Living Translation

16 Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 4:16

Commentary on Exodus 4:10-17

(Read Exodus 4:10-17)

Moses continued backward to the work God designed him for; there was much of cowardice, slothfulness, and unbelief in him. We must not judge of men by the readiness of their discourse. A great deal of wisdom and true worth may be with a slow tongue. God sometimes makes choice of those as his messengers, who have the least of the advantages of art or nature, that his grace in them may appear the more glorious. Christ's disciples were no orators, till the Holy Spirit made them such. God condescends to answer the excuse of Moses. Even self-diffidence, when it hinders us from duty, or clogs us in duty, is very displeasing to the Lord. But while we blame Moses for shrinking from this dangerous service, let us ask our own hearts if we are not neglecting duties more easy, and less perilous. The tongue of Aaron, with the head and heart of Moses, would make one completely fit for this errand. God promises, I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth. Even Aaron, who could speak well, yet could not speak to purpose, unless God gave constant teaching and help; for without the constant aid of Divine grace, the best gifts will fail.