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⇱ Exodus 4:23 and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!'"

Bible > Exodus > Chapter 4 > Verse 23
◄ Exodus 4:23 ►
New International Version
and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’”

New Living Translation
I commanded you, “Let my son go, so he can worship me.” But since you have refused, I will now kill your firstborn son!’”

English Standard Version
and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”

Berean Standard Bible
and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”

King James Bible
And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

New King James Version
So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.” ’ ”

New American Standard Bible
So I said to you, ‘Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I am going to kill your son, your firstborn.”’”

NASB 1995
“So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’ but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn."’”

NASB 1977
“So I said to you, ‘Let My son go, that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your first-born.”’”

Legacy Standard Bible
So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’”

Amplified Bible
So I say to you, ‘Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’”

Christian Standard Bible
I told you: Let my son go so that he may worship me, but you refused to let him go. Look, I am about to kill your firstborn son! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I told you: Let My son go so that he may worship Me, but you refused to let him go. Now I will kill your firstborn son!”

American Standard Version
and I have said unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and thou hast refused to let him go: behold, I will slay thy son, thy first-born.

Contemporary English Version
and I commanded you to release him, so he could worship me. But you refused, and now I will kill your first-born son."

English Revised Version
and I have said unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and thou hast refused to let him go: behold, I will slay thy son, thy firstborn.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I told you to let my son go so that he may worship me. But you refused to let him go. So now I'm going to kill your firstborn son.'"

Good News Translation
I told you to let my son go, so that he might worship me, but you refused. Now I am going to kill your first-born son.'"

International Standard Version
And I say to you, 'Let my son go so he may serve me. If you refuse to let him go, then I will kill your firstborn son.'"'"

NET Bible
and I said to you, 'Let my son go that he may serve me,' but since you have refused to let him go, I will surely kill your son, your firstborn!"'"

New Heart English Bible
and I have said to you, "Let my son go, that he may serve me;" and you have refused to let him go. Look, I will kill your son, your firstborn.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And I say to thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou shalt refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy first-born.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”

World English Bible
and I have said to you, “Let my son go, that he may serve me;” and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I say to you, send My son away, and he serves Me; and [if] you refuse to send him away, behold, I am slaying your son, your firstborn.”

Young's Literal Translation
and I say unto thee, Send away My son, and he doth serve Me; and -- thou dost refuse to send him away -- lo, I am slaying thy son, thy first-born.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And saying to thee, Send forth my son, and he shall save me: and shalt thou refuse to send him, behold me killing thy son, thy first-born.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have said to thee: Let my son go, that he may serve me, and thou wouldst not let him go: behold I will kill thy son, thy firstborn.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have said to you: Release my son, so that he may serve me. And you were not willing to release him. Behold, I will put to death your firstborn son.’ ”

New American Bible
I said to you: Let my son go, that he may serve me. Since you refused to let him go, I will kill your son, your firstborn.

New Revised Standard Version
I said to you, “Let my son go that he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; now I will kill your firstborn son.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I say to you, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay your first-born son.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have said to you ‘Send out my son and he will serve me,’ and if you choose not to send out my son, behold, I am killing your son, your firstborn.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And I have said unto thee: Let My son go, that he may serve Me; and thou hast refused to let him go. Behold, I will slay thy son, thy first-born.'--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I said to thee, Send away my people, that they may serve me: now if thou wilt not send them away, see, I will slay thy fir-born son.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Leaves for Egypt
…22Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, 23and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” 24Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.…

Cross References
Exodus 5:1
After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’”

Exodus 7:16
Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened.

Exodus 8:1
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

Exodus 9:1
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

Exodus 10:3
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

Exodus 11:1
Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.

Exodus 12:29-30
Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.

Exodus 13:15
And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

Exodus 14:5-9
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” / So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. / He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ...

Exodus 20:2
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Deuteronomy 6:21
then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

Psalm 105:36
Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

Psalm 135:8
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast.

Psalm 136:10
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever.

Jeremiah 31:32
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.


Exodus 11:5
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

Exodus 12:29
And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

Psalm 78:51
And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

Jump to Previous
Death First Firstborn First-Born Kill Refuse Refused Serve Slay Slaying Worship
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Death First Firstborn First-Born Kill Refuse Refused Serve Slay Slaying Worship
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.














and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me.
This phrase refers to God's command to Pharaoh through Moses to release the Israelites, whom God refers to as "My son." This designation of Israel as God's son highlights the special covenant relationship between God and the nation of Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:1-2. The purpose of their release is to worship God, emphasizing the centrality of worship in the life of God's people. Worship here implies not just ritual acts but a life oriented towards God, as seen in the broader narrative of Exodus where the Israelites are called to serve God alone. The demand for release is not merely a request for freedom but a divine mandate, underscoring God's authority over earthly rulers.

But since you have refused to let him go,
Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites sets the stage for the plagues that follow. This refusal is a demonstration of Pharaoh's hardened heart, a theme that recurs throughout the Exodus narrative. It also reflects the spiritual battle between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt, as Pharaoh is seen as a representative of these false deities. The refusal is not just a political decision but a spiritual defiance against God's will, illustrating the broader biblical theme of human rebellion against divine authority.

behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”
This pronouncement of judgment is a foreshadowing of the final and most severe plague—the death of the firstborn in Egypt. The firstborn in ancient cultures, including Egypt, held a place of prominence and inheritance, making this judgment particularly devastating. This act of judgment is both a direct response to Pharaoh's actions and a demonstration of God's power and justice. It also serves as a type of Christ, as the death of the firstborn in Egypt prefigures the sacrificial death of Jesus, God's only Son, for the redemption of humanity. The Passover, which commemorates the sparing of the Israelite firstborn, becomes a foundational event pointing to Christ's atoning sacrifice, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:7.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The prophet chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He is the one delivering God's message to Pharaoh.

2. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt who is refusing to release the Israelites from slavery, representing opposition to God's will.

3. Israelites
Referred to as God's "son," they are the people enslaved in Egypt whom God intends to free.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved, representing a place of bondage and oppression.

5. God
The sovereign Lord who commands Pharaoh through Moses and declares the consequences of disobedience.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Authority
God has ultimate authority over nations and rulers. His commands are not suggestions but divine mandates that carry consequences for disobedience.

The Importance of Obedience
Pharaoh's refusal to obey God's command led to severe consequences. This highlights the importance of aligning our actions with God's will.

God's Relationship with His People
Referring to Israel as His "son" emphasizes the intimate and covenantal relationship God has with His people. Believers today are also called to live as children of God.

Judgment and Redemption
The warning of judgment upon Egypt's firstborn foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Christ, who is the firstborn over all creation and the means of our deliverance from sin.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 4:23?

2. How does Exodus 4:23 emphasize God's authority over Pharaoh and his decisions?

3. What does "let My son go" reveal about God's relationship with Israel?

4. How does Exodus 4:23 connect to God's covenant promises in Genesis?

5. In what ways can we recognize and respond to God's authority today?

6. How does Exodus 4:23 challenge us to prioritize obedience to God's commands?

7. Why did God threaten to kill Pharaoh's firstborn in Exodus 4:23?

8. How does Exodus 4:23 reflect God's justice and mercy?

9. What is the significance of God calling Israel "My firstborn son" in Exodus 4:23?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 4?

11. If the Levites replaced all Israel's firstborn in worship (Numbers 8:16-18), how does this reconcile with earlier promises safeguarding the special status of firstborns?

12. (Exodus 4:22-23) In what way does God's threat to kill Egypt's firstborn reconcile with a just and merciful deity, furthermore aligning with the broader biblical narrative?

13. Does the marriage of Naomi's sons to Moabite women (Ruth 1:4) conflict with restrictions found in Deuteronomy 23:3?

14. Who was Eleazar in the Bible?
What Does Exodus 4:23 Mean
I told you to let My son go

• The command is simple and direct. God, speaking through Moses (Exodus 4:22-23), identifies Israel as “My son, My firstborn.” By calling the nation His “son,” the LORD highlights covenant intimacy and rightful ownership (Hosea 11:1; Deuteronomy 14:1).

• This isn’t a negotiation. It is the Creator’s authoritative summons to Pharaoh, a ruler who styles himself a god yet is being confronted by the true God (Exodus 9:1).

• The literal reading shows God’s personal involvement: He Himself has spoken. There is no room to doubt the certainty of the command or His resolve to see it obeyed.

so that he may worship Me

• Deliverance has purpose: freedom to worship. God never liberates merely for autonomy; He frees for relationship and service (Exodus 3:12; 8:1; Psalm 95:6).

• “Worship” (sometimes rendered “serve”) includes offering sacrifices and living in obedience. Israel’s identity is wrapped up in drawing near to the LORD (Exodus 19:4-6).

• In refusing the request, Pharaoh is not just blocking travel plans; he is opposing the very reason Israel exists as God’s people (1 Peter 2:9).

But since you have refused to let him go

• Pharaoh’s refusal is willful and repeated (Exodus 7:13; 9:34). Each act of stubbornness hardens his heart further, illustrating Proverbs 29:1: “A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be broken.”

• God’s patience gives space for repentance, yet persistent defiance invites escalating judgment (Romans 2:4-5). The text underscores human responsibility alongside divine sovereignty (Romans 9:17).

• This line reminds every reader that hearing God’s word carries accountability; ignoring it has real consequences.

behold, I will kill your firstborn son!

• The warning is specific: loss of Egypt’s firstborn, culminating in the tenth plague (Exodus 11:5; 12:12). In an honor-based society, the firstborn represents strength, future, and legacy; God is striking at Egypt’s pride and security.

• The judgment mirrors Egypt’s earlier violence against Israel’s sons (Exodus 1:15-22). God’s justice is measure-for-measure (Galatians 6:7).

• The Passover rescue that follows points ahead to another Firstborn—God’s own Son—whose death secures deliverance for all who apply His blood by faith (John 3:16; Hebrews 11:28).

summary

Exodus 4:23 lays out a clear sequence: God commands Pharaoh to release His firstborn nation so they can worship; Pharaoh’s repeated refusal provokes a proportional, righteous judgment—the death of Egypt’s firstborn. The verse reveals God’s covenant love for His people, the purpose of redemption (worship), the seriousness of resisting His word, and a foreshadowing of the ultimate Passover accomplished through the greater Firstborn, Jesus Christ.

(23) I will slay thy son, even thy first-born.--The threat was not made until immediately before the tenth plague (Exodus 11:5). It is not recorded in the words which Moses is here directed to use; but the speech of Moses in Exodus 11 is no doubt much abbreviated.Verse 23. - I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. For the fulfilment of the threat, see Exodus 12:29. Moses did not utter it till all other arguments were exhausted, and he knew that he was having his last interview with the monarch (Exodus 10:29; Exodus 11:4, 5). In this reserve and in the whole series of his dealings with the Egyptian king, we must regard him as simply carrying out the special directions which, after his return to Egypt, he continually received from the Almighty. (See Exodus 6:11; Exodus 7:9, 15 19: 8:1, 5, 16, 20, etc.)

CHAPTER 4:24-26

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and I told you
וָאֹמַ֣ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to let My son
בְּנִי֙ (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

go
שַׁלַּ֤ח (šal·laḥ)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

so that he may worship Me.
וְיַֽעַבְדֵ֔נִי (wə·ya·‘aḇ·ḏê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

But you have refused
וַתְּמָאֵ֖ן (wat·tə·mā·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3985: To refuse

to let him go,
לְשַׁלְּח֑וֹ (lə·šal·lə·ḥōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

so
הִנֵּה֙ (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

I
אָנֹכִ֣י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

will kill
הֹרֵ֔ג (hō·rêḡ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

your firstborn
בְּכֹרֶֽךָ׃ (bə·ḵō·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

son!’”
בִּנְךָ֖ (bin·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Exodus 4:23 And I have said to you Let (Exo. Ex)