The Meaning of Exodus 4:24 Explained

Exodus 4:24

KJV: And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.

YLT: And it cometh to pass in the way, in a lodging place, that Jehovah meeteth him, and seeketh to put him to death;

Darby: And it came to pass on the way, in the inn, that Jehovah came upon him, and sought to slay him.

ASV: And it came to pass on the way at the lodging-place, that Jehovah met him, and sought to kill him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And it came to pass by the way  in the inn,  that the LORD  met  him, and sought  to kill  him. 

What does Exodus 4:24 Mean?

Study Notes

kill him
(Cf) Genesis 17:14 The context ( Genesis 4:25 ) interprets Genesis 4:25 . Moses was forgetful of the very foundation sign of Israel's covenant relation to Jehovah. On the eve of delivering Israel he was thus reminded that without circumcision an Israelite was cut off from the covenant. Joshua 5:3-9 .

Context Summary

Exodus 4:18-31 - Moses And Aaron Announce God's Purpose To Israel
So often the keenest tests of a man's fitness for his life-work are furnished by his behavior in his home. It may be that Zipporah had resisted the earlier imposition on her son of the initial rite of the Jewish faith and her proud soul had to yield. No man who has put his hand to God's plow can take counsel with flesh and blood, or look back. At whatever cost we must set our own house in order, before we can emancipate a nation.
When God designs it, He will contrive for us to meet the man, or men, who are to help us in our life mission. Our paths meet in the Mount of God. When the Alps were bored for the railway track, the work started on either side, and the workers met in the middle. Help is coming to you from unexpected quarters, and will meet you when you need it most. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 4

1  Moses's rod is turned into a serpent
6  His hand is leprous
10  He loathes his calling
13  Aaron is appointed to assist him
18  Moses departs from Jethro
21  God's message to Pharaoh
24  Zipporah circumcises her son
27  Aaron is sent to meet Moses
29  The people believe them

What do the individual words in Exodus 4:24 mean?

And it came to pass along the way at the encampment that met him Yahweh and sought to kill him
וַיְהִ֥י בַדֶּ֖רֶךְ בַּמָּל֑וֹן וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁ֣הוּ יְהוָ֔ה וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ הֲמִיתֽוֹ

וַיְהִ֥י  And  it  came  to  pass 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בַדֶּ֖רֶךְ  along  the  way 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, common singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
בַּמָּל֑וֹן  at  the  encampment 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָלֹון  
Sense: place of lodging, inn, khan.
וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁ֣הוּ  that  met  him 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: פָּגַשׁ  
Sense: to meet, join, encounter.
יְהוָ֔ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ  and  sought 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּקַשׁ  
Sense: to seek, require, desire, exact, request.
הֲמִיתֽוֹ  to  kill  him 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.