Exodus 4:6 - Divine sign tests faith.

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה לוֹ עוֹד הָבֵא־נָא יָדְךָ בְּחֵיקֶךָ וַיָּבֵא יָדוֹ בְּחֵיקוֹ וַיּוֹצִאָהּ וְהִנֵּה יָדוֹ מְצֹרַעַת כַּשָּׁלֶג׃

English Translation

And the Lord said furthermore to him, Put now thy hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was diseased, as white as snow.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai lo od have na yadekha be'kheikha va'yave yado be'kheiko va'yotzi'a ve'hine yado metzora'at ka'shaleg.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה ל֜וֹ ע֗וֹד הָֽבֵא־נָ֤א יָֽדְךָ֙ בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָ וַיָּבֵ֥א יָד֖וֹ בְּחֵיק֑וֹ וַיּ֣וֹצִאָ֔הּ וְהִנֵּ֥ה יָד֖וֹ מְצֹרַ֥עַת כַּשָּֽׁלֶג׃

Parasha Commentary

Context in Shemot (Exodus) 4:6

This verse appears during Hashem's revelation to Moshe at the burning bush (Shemot 3-4), where Moshe expresses hesitation about leading Bnei Yisrael out of Mitzrayim. Hashem provides him with signs to demonstrate divine authority, including this miraculous transformation of his hand into a metzora (leprosy-like affliction) and back to health.

Symbolism of the Metzora Hand

Rashi (Shemot 4:6) explains that this sign served as a warning to Moshe for speaking negatively about Bnei Yisrael when he said, "They will not believe me" (Shemot 4:1). The affliction mirrored the punishment of tzara'at (often translated as leprosy), which the Torah associates with lashon hara (evil speech). The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) adds that the snow-like whiteness symbolized the purification process—just as snow cleanses, so too would Moshe's leadership purify the people.

The Bosom as a Symbol

The instruction to place his hand "in your bosom" (cheik) carries deeper meaning. Ramban (Shemot 4:6) notes that the cheik represents the heart—the seat of thought and speech. This physical act mirrored Moshe's internal doubt, and the affliction emerged from that place of hesitation. The Kli Yakar further connects this to the idea that spiritual ailments originate from within.

Practical Lessons from the Sign

Power of Speech: The Midrash Tanchuma (Tazria 5) links this episode to the severity of lashon hara, teaching that even Moshe, the humblest of men (Bamidbar 12:3), was briefly afflicted for questioning Bnei Yisrael's faith.
Divine Reassurance: The quick healing (Shemot 4:7) demonstrated Hashem's control over both affliction and recovery, reinforcing that Moshe's mission would succeed despite his doubts (Sforno).
Leadership Responsibility: The Or HaChaim highlights that leaders must guard their words meticulously, as their speech impacts the entire nation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of divine signs and miracles, particularly in the context of Moses' signs to Pharaoh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 4:6 mean when it says Moshe's hand became 'diseased as white as snow'?
A: This was a miraculous sign from Hashem to show Moshe that He had the power to both afflict and heal. Rashi explains that the snow-white tzara'at (often mistranslated as leprosy) symbolized impurity, demonstrating that Moshe would need to rely completely on Hashem's power when confronting Pharaoh.

Q: Why did Hashem give Moshe this specific sign with his hand?
A: The Midrash teaches that this sign corresponded to Moshe's earlier sin of doubting whether the Jewish people would believe him (Exodus 4:1). By temporarily afflicting Moshe's hand - the instrument of action - Hashem showed that leadership requires complete faith in Divine assistance.

Q: How is Exodus 4:6 relevant to us today?
A: The Rambam teaches that this episode reminds us that all our abilities come from Hashem. Just as Moshe's hand was restored immediately when he obeyed Hashem (Exodus 4:7), we must recognize that our strengths are Divine gifts to be used for holy purposes.

Q: What is the significance of putting the hand in the bosom in Exodus 4:6?
A: The Talmud (Nedarim 32b) connects this action to the heart, suggesting it represents internalizing the message. The sudden change from health to illness and back demonstrated that spiritual matters are more important than physical ones, and that true leadership requires humility.

Q: Why was the hand described as 'white as snow' in Exodus 4:6?
A: The whiteness symbolizes complete absence of color, representing the nullification of Moshe's personal will before Hashem's command. As the Sforno explains, this prepared Moshe for his mission by showing that success would come through Divine power, not human strength.