Just a little something I was wondering about.

[Going_Nowhere]

First off, I apologize if this has been asked before. I'm sure it has, but I haven't seen any threads about it or anyone talk about it here before.


I've been curious about the part in Exodus 4:10 where Moses says that he is slow of speech and of tongue. I didn't understand what that meant.


So I looked for the meaning behind the words online. One suggestion was that he stuttered a lot. Another was that he had a speech impediment. But I didn't find any clear answer on what it meant.


Maybe it's just one of those unanswered questions about the Bible. But I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask here. So any answers or thoughts as to what it means would be appreciated.

 

[breno785au]

That's a good question and one that I never known the 'official' answer on. I've always seen it as someone who doesn't always know what to say at the right time, is not elequent in speech. I have always likened myself to Moses in this way and have prayed many times why God has chosen me because I'm exactly like that. I always think of what to say hours after the fact lol I often never know what to say when I should.
But I've come to embrace that as a listener and thinker (still working on that lol) rather than feeling I immediately have to have them answers to everything right away. I have zero debating skills but there are others out there with an amazing gift to debate, so I let them do it. I used to have a stutter but I believe it was directly tied to anxiousness towards people and lack of confidence. I still stammer every now and then but I've learnt to recognise what's happening in the inside when I do and just calm down first before speaking, then it comes out fluidly.

I'd like to hear others opinions on what Moses meant.

 

[Scribe]

Good question.
In my opinion, (and I am open to change my mind if presented with good hermeneutics) I think it means what most think when they read it without any explanation.

But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

The thought that comes to most people is that he was having a problem with articulation. Slow to speak or find the right words in the language he would need to speak to Pharaoah. He did not think he was eloguent. That means he did not think he had the mastery of the language that would make him appear to be a "well educated, and articulate speaker."

Now Acts says 7:21 ...and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

But now he had lived 40 years having to speak a different language. He felt like he had lost the mastery of the language of Pharoah that he once had and it would be obvious to Pharoah and everyone. He felt he would be struggling to remember words and faltering in his delivery. And he was right. God did not care, God did not give him supernatural recall so that he suddenly was as fluent as he once was. He says... " since you started telling me to go do this I have not experienced a change in my ability to remember that language as I would need to in order to sound impressive to Pharoah. They are going to think I am not very smart when I am taking a long time to remember each word to say."

That is the spirit behind these concise words that I get from a natural reading of the text. I never understood it as saying that Moses stuttered or had a handicap.

Before he killed the Egyptian and had to flee he was Mighty in his words, and in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. It was probably his having grown forgetful of the command of the language that he once had that made him so self conscience.

But you are right. It is one of those things that will never be answered. There is no way for me to prove my theory. There is no way for any scholar to prove he had a stutter. The Hebrew does not say that. The Hebrew means the same as the English translation in this case. We can all speculate but the best translation in this case seems to be Moses own lack of confidence in how he would come across. I believe he got over this after he returned and started conversing with the people again and his learning curve, recovering his old mastery of the language went well and he once again was mighty in words, in the language that Pharaoh could understand. It does not look like he needed Aaron to speak for him much after things started moving forward in Egypt.

 

[Scribe]

Good question.
In my opinion, (and I am open to change my mind if presented with good hermeneutics) I think it means what most think when they read it without any explanation.

But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

The thought that comes to most people is that he was having a problem with articulation. Slow to speak or find the right words in the language he would need to speak to Pharaoah. He did not think he was eloguent. That means he did not think he had the mastery of the language that would make him appear to be a "well educated, and articulate speaker."

Now Acts says 7:21 ...and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

But now he had lived 40 years having to speak a different language. He felt like he had lost the mastery of the language of Pharoah that he once had and it would be obvious to Pharoah and everyone. He felt he would be struggling to remember words and faltering in his delivery. And he was right. God did not care, God did not give him supernatural recall so that he suddenly was as fluent as he once was. He says... " since you started telling me to go do this I have not experienced a change in my ability to remember that language as I would need to in order to sound impressive to Pharoah. They are going to think I am not very smart when I am taking a long time to remember each word to say."

That is the spirit behind these concise words that I get from a natural reading of the text. I never understood it as saying that Moses stuttered or had a handicap.

Before he killed the Egyptian and had to flee he was Mighty in his words, and in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. It was probably his having grown forgetful of the command of the language that he once had that made him so self conscience.

But you are right. It is one of those things that will never be answered. There is no way for me to prove my theory. There is no way for any scholar to prove he had a stutter. The Hebrew does not say that. The Hebrew means the same as the English translation in this case. We can all speculate but the best translation in this case seems to be Moses own lack of confidence in how he would come across. I believe he got over this after he returned and started conversing with the people again and his learning curve, recovering his old mastery of the language went well and he once again was mighty in words, in the language that Pharaoh could understand. It does not look like he needed Aaron to speak for him much after things started moving forward in Egypt.

Oh.. and what do we learn from this. When God calls you He will probably not give you instant miraculous language skills, or make your hair grow to cover up your bald spot, or make you taller so you can command respect, or give you the singing voice of an angel so you can wow the crowds before you preach, but he will be with you and that is all you need.

 

[Blain]

That's a good question and one that I never known the 'official' answer on. I've always seen it as someone who doesn't always know what to say at the right time, is not elequent in speech. I have always likened myself to Moses in this way and have prayed many times why God has chosen me because I'm exactly like that. I always think of what to say hours after the fact lol I often never know what to say when I should.
But I've come to embrace that as a listener and thinker (still working on that lol) rather than feeling I immediately have to have them answers to everything right away. I have zero debating skills but there are others out there with an amazing gift to debate, so I let them do it. I used to have a stutter but I believe it was directly tied to anxiousness towards people and lack of confidence. I still stammer every now and then but I've learnt to recognise what's happening in the inside when I do and just calm down first before speaking, then it comes out fluidly.

I'd like to hear others opinions on what Moses meant.

I wanted to speak on this with you as well as the op and all who have given their thoughts. I assume yes he is speaking of his lack of ability for speech sounding well rounded and educated but this also is why I think God used him so powerfully. Often times it is not our strengths he loves to use it is what we lack or are weak in.
For instance when it comes to writing I can speak in a very well educated manner I am a naturally writer and so I can express and speak my heart much better than in actual words, in the real world outside of the forum I am not good at debating I am not in any way good at speaking my mind will often times go blank in the middle of something and yet twice already I was lead to speak in front of a group of people the first being at a new church I never visited and the second at my grandmas funeral

I have never done this beforehand and I never would imagine I would be the kind of person to do this but when I felt the spirit call me I didn't know what I was going to say I only knew I had to get up there and speak. It was because of my lack of speech that I think he just took over when I obeyed the call the words just poured from my heart and both times at the end people applauded tears were shed inner healing was clealry seen and hearts were moved.

So I think in your case what you perceive to be weakness is actually a strength because in our weakness this is when his strength takes over plus the lack of being to speak gives one the ability to listen and learn
Btw I love to take personality quizes I find them very fun and there are several Christians one as to who you best represent in the bible and I get Moses almost every time so I say embrace your inner Moses

 

[breno785au]

I wanted to speak on this with you as well as the op and all who have given their thoughts. I assume yes he is speaking of his lack of ability for speech sounding well rounded and educated but this also is why I think God used him so powerfully. Often times it is not our strengths he loves to use it is what we lack or are weak in.
For instance when it comes to writing I can speak in a very well educated manner I am a naturally writer and so I can express and speak my heart much better than in actual words, in the real world outside of the forum I am not good at debating I am not in any way good at speaking my mind will often times go blank in the middle of something and yet twice already I was lead to speak in front of a group of people the first being at a new church I never visited and the second at my grandmas funeral

I have never done this beforehand and I never would imagine I would be the kind of person to do this but when I felt the spirit call me I didn't know what I was going to say I only knew I had to get up there and speak. It was because of my lack of speech that I think he just took over when I obeyed the call the words just poured from my heart and both times at the end people applauded tears were shed inner healing was clealry seen and hearts were moved.

So I think in your case what you perceive to be weakness is actually a strength because in our weakness this is when his strength takes over plus the lack of being to speak gives one the ability to listen and learn
Btw I love to take personality quizes I find them very fun and there are several Christians one as to who you best represent in the bible and I get Moses almost every time so I say embrace your inner Moses

Yes, I definitely see it now as my weakness is His strength. There are still times I forget who I am and want to be that guy that can whip out great words and answers at the ring of a bell. But I've grown to love and enjoy being the listener and deep thinker before speaking. It doesn't really bare that well for evangelism but I have to remember the simplicity of the gospel, as Paul said (I think it was to the corinthians) He didn't go to them with grand words but in the power of the Holy Spirit!

 

[Blain]

Yes, I definitely see it now as my weakness is His strength. There are still times I forget who I am and want to be that guy that can whip out great words and answers at the ring of a bell. But I've grown to love and enjoy being the listener and deep thinker before speaking. It doesn't really bare that well for evangelism but I have to remember the simplicity of the gospel, as Paul said (I think it was to the corinthians) He didn't go to them with grand words but in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Yes this is why you are very wise and are actually more suited for debates than a lot of people, you understand your weakness but see his strength in it, you are a deep thinker and good listener and are slow to speak. I am the same way I often times forget as well and want to be someone I am just simply not we all go through this.

I often wish I was more slow to speak I am also a deep thinker and listener but I just speak what he has shown and taught me often times bringing some to learning but most of the time opposed in debates.
There also is more than one way to evangalize never underestimate the power words have, many people brose this site before actually joining and the number of new believers in that group varies but is quite often relitavely big, every word of wisdom encouragement insightful questions or biblically sound teaching is like a pebble that falls into a pond it creates ripples that grow and expand the area of the pond we never really know or see exactly how far the ripples we create go but they grow and affect people regardless.

 

[breno785au]

Yes this is why you are very wise and are actually more suited for debates than a lot of people, you understand your weakness but see his strength in it, you are a deep thinker and good listener and are slow to speak. I am the same way I often times forget as well and want to be someone I am just simply not we all go through this.

I often wish I was more slow to speak I am also a deep thinker and listener but I just speak what he has shown and taught me often times bringing some to learning but most of the time opposed in debates.
There also is more than one way to evangalize never underestimate the power words have, many people brose this site before actually joining and the number of new believers in that group varies but is quite often relitavely big, every word of wisdom encouragement insightful questions or biblically sound teaching is like a pebble that falls into a pond it creates ripples that grow and expand the area of the pond we never really know or see exactly how far the ripples we create go but they grow and affect people regardless.

That's deep bro, thank you. I now have no more words to say for now

 

[Blain]

That's deep bro, thank you. I now have no more words to say for now

I cannot take credit for it this is just an analogy God taught me but no worries no words are needed my friend a silver tongue is often a silent tongue

 

[WalkerAllan]

Yes, I definitely see it now as my weakness is His strength.

This has been a wonderful and heartwarming conversation.

Thankyou and God bless you all.

 

[WalkerAllan]

Yes, I definitely see it now as my weakness is His strength.

This has been a wonderful and heartwarming conversation.
Thankyou and God bless you all.

 

[crossnote]

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

And Moses said to Jehovah, Ah Lord! I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since thou hast spoken to thy servant, for I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue Exodus 4:10 (Darby)

And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue. Exodus 4:10 (Amplified)

But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Exodus 4:10 (ESV)

Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:10 (NASB)

But Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been a ·skilled speaker [Lman of words]. Even now, after talking to you, I cannot speak well. I ·speak slowly and can’t find the best words [Lhave a heavy/slow mouth and a heavy/slow tongue].” Exodus 4:10 (EXB)

My 2¢ would be that not only did Moses stutter but he wasn't quick on his feet with words. (I can relate 100%)

 

[GraceAndTruth]

First off, I apologize if this has been asked before. I'm sure it has, but I haven't seen any threads about it or anyone talk about it here before.


I've been curious about the part in Exodus 4:10 where Moses says that he is slow of speech and of tongue. I didn't understand what that meant.


So I looked for the meaning behind the words online. One suggestion was that he stuttered a lot. Another was that he had a speech impediment. But I didn't find any clear answer on what it meant.


Maybe it's just one of those unanswered questions about the Bible. But I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask here. So any answers or thoughts as to what it means would be appreciated.

Moses had a speech impediment, most likely stuttering. <------ That is in English so not hard to undestand.

 

[laymen]

I wanted to speak on this with you as well as the op and all who have given their thoughts. I assume yes he is speaking of his lack of ability for speech sounding well rounded and educated but this also is why I think God used him so powerfully. Often times it is not our strengths he loves to use it is what we lack or are weak in.
For instance when it comes to writing I can speak in a very well educated manner I am a naturally writer and so I can express and speak my heart much better than in actual words, in the real world outside of the forum I am not good at debating I am not in any way good at speaking my mind will often times go blank in the middle of something and yet twice already I was lead to speak in front of a group of people the first being at a new church I never visited and the second at my grandmas funeral

I have never done this beforehand and I never would imagine I would be the kind of person to do this but when I felt the spirit call me I didn't know what I was going to say I only knew I had to get up there and speak. It was because of my lack of speech that I think he just took over when I obeyed the call the words just poured from my heart and both times at the end people applauded tears were shed inner healing was clealry seen and hearts were moved.

So I think in your case what you perceive to be weakness is actually a strength because in our weakness this is when his strength takes over plus the lack of being to speak gives one the ability to listen and learn
Btw I love to take personality quizes I find them very fun and there are several Christians one as to who you best represent in the bible and I get Moses almost every time so I say embrace your inner Moses

I have had this happen to me at my my uncale's funeral. They could not find a pastor so they asked me. I had about 10 mins to find something to say and had nothing when I got up there. But I said a prayer and it was like God just took over. Sometimes when we are at this point and have nothing in the way of God, like our own thoughts or Opinions in the way he can use us as a vessel more Easily!

 

[Blain]

I have had this happen to me at my my uncale's funeral. They could not find a pastor so they asked me. I had about 10 mins to find something to say and had nothing when I got up there. But I said a prayer and it was like God just took over. Sometimes when we are at this point and have nothing in the way of God, like our own thoughts or Opinions in the way he can use us as a vessel more Easily!

Fantastic testimony Yes I agree when we have nothing to block him he then takes over the words just come forth on their own.

 

[Infinite_Ark]

I thought Moses stuttered and that is what is meant being slow of speech and tongue.

 

[crossnote]

I thought Moses stuttered and that is what is meant being slow of speech and tongue.

Barnes gives an interesting take (which I looked up after I wrote my opinion above -post#12)...

'The double expression "slow of speech and of a slow tongue" seems to imply a difficulty both in finding words and in giving them utterance, a very natural result of so long a period of a shepherd's life, passed in a foreign land.

 

[Scribe]

I thought Moses stuttered and that is what is meant being slow of speech and tongue.

Stuttering was made up by imaginations of preachers and they spread it to one another. Nothing in the Hebrew suggests a stutter or handicap.

 

[Scribe]

I thought Moses stuttered and that is what is meant being slow of speech and tongue.

It does not seem that Aaron really had to speak for him once things got rolling. Moses probably recovered his old mastery of the words he was once mighty in growing up in Egypt.

 

[Scribe]

Moses had a speech impediment, most likely stuttering. <------ That is in English so not hard to undestand.

I think you will find that the most common scholarly opinion on exegeting the Hebrew is that it means just exactly what it says in the ESV or even KJV.
“Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

And the context of the sentence structure makes the "Not being eloquent" the main point and the "slow of speech and of tongue" more of a matter of articulation and accent and proper pronunciation. Much as would be the case if one was 40 years without practice of the language of Pharoah. Especially coming from one who prided himself on his ability to speak as a courtier, and understood the importance of such things since he once was a part of such political and powerful circles. He would naturally be even more self conscience of lacking this skill from disuse than anyone else having such an understanding of its importance when addressing Kings.

I have never been persuaded that the intention of the text was to say that he stuttered. Seems imaginative and fanciful and without precedence or authority.