Definition: And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I [am] of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 6:30. It's a really important and complex one, and it’s often misunderstood. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes after God told Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God had previously spoken with Moses (in Exodus 4) about a specific plan for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. However, Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler, refused to allow them to leave. What’s happening in this verse? “And Moses said…” : This tells us that Moses is speaking and explaining something significant. “…before the LORD…” : This is a crucial part – it means Moses is speaking directly to God, not to Pharaoh. It's a direct plea to divine authority. “…I [am] of uncircumcised lips…” : This is where it gets tricky. "Circumcised" refers to the narrowness of the Jewish people’s lips – a physical characteristic that separated them from the Israelites in the ancient Near East. So, Moses is saying he isn't Jewish. "...and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?” : This is the core of the verse. God is asking Pharaoh to listen to Moses. What does it mean? The entire phrase “I am of uncircumcised lips” is a powerful statement of defiance and rejection of Pharaoh's authority. It’s saying: “I don’t belong to this group, and I refuse to be subservient to you.” It’s a declaration that Moses is asserting his independence and challenge against the Egyptian rulers. Why is it important? This verse is considered one of the earliest examples of a person refusing to acknowledge authority and challenging divine rule. It's a foundational moment in the story of Israel's liberation, setting the stage for the entire Exodus narrative. In short: Moses is saying that he doesn’t belong to the Jewish people and refuses to be controlled by Pharaoh. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss its significance in a broader context (like the story of the Exodus)?