Definition: And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand [of him whom] thou wilt send.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this very important passage from Exodus 4:13. It’s a fascinating and somewhat mysterious moment in the beginning of the story of Moses. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes God's initial reaction to the death of Pharaoh, the leader of Egypt. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And he said…” : This is a statement from God. He’s expressing his thoughts and will. “…O my Lord, send…” : This is the core of the verse. God is asking for someone – him – to be sent to rescue Moses. “My Lord” suggests a very important and significant figure. “…by the hand [of him] whom thou wilt send.” : This is where it gets really interesting, and it’s a little tricky to translate perfectly. It means God wants someone specific – someone who has the authority and ability to act on his behalf. The Context - It's about Pharaoh: Before this verse, Pharaoh had been refusing to let Moses go to free the Israelites from slavery. God was frustrated because Pharaoh wouldn’t cooperate. So, God is essentially saying: "I want someone who has the power to take action, and that someone is you ." Why is it important? This verse marks a pivotal point in the creation story. It establishes that God has the power to intervene and change events, setting the stage for the entire narrative of the Exodus. It’s a moment where God begins to actively work towards freeing his people. In short: God is calling on someone – possibly Moses himself – to be sent to rescue Egypt from its oppression. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this passage in a broader context (like the creation story)? Give you some related stories or concepts?