Exodus 4:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he said, Cast in on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he said, Put it down on the earth. And he put it down on the earth and it became a snake; and Moses went running from it.
Webster's Revision
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent: and Moses fled from before it.
World English Bible
He said, "Throw it on the ground." He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses ran away from it.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
Definitions for Exodus 4:3
Clarke's Exodus 4:3 Bible Commentary
A serpent - Of what sort we know not, as the word נחש nachash is a general name for serpents, and also means several other things, see Genesis 3:1 : but it was either of a kind that he had not seen before, or one that he knew to be dangerous; for it is said, he fled from before it. Some suppose the staff was changed into a crocodile; see Clarke on Exodus 7:10 (note).
Barnes's Exodus 4:3 Bible Commentary
A serpent - This miracle had a meaning which Moses could not mistake. The serpent was probably the basilisk or Uraeus, the Cobra. This was the symbol of royal and divine power on the diadem of every Pharaoh. The conversion of the rod was not merely a portent, it was a sign, at once a pledge and representation of victory over the king and gods of Egypt!