What Does Exodus 4:12 Mean in the King James?

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Exodus 4:12 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The one who sends you is pictured as present with your mouth, directing your words as you go.

THE MEANING

Your speaking unfolds alongside the presence and instruction that accompany your movement. The words you need are taught at the point where they are spoken. The verse holds going, speaking, and being accompanied together.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that you must have the whole message ready before you can move: the verse places teaching beside your mouth as you go.

THE ROOT

וְהוֹרֵיתִיךָ

vehorētikha

GROWS FROM

ירה

y-r-h

To throw or shoot; in its instructional form, to point, direct, or teach.

The verb translated “teach” carries the image of direction: instruction points speech toward its utterance. The same root links teaching with guidance, so the words emerge within a directed path.

ALSO GROWS

torah: Instruction, direction

תּוֹרָה

Its shared root shows teaching as guidance that gives a path its direction.

moreh: Teacher, instructor

מוֹרֶה

The teacher is one who directs; here, that direction is joined to the speaker’s mouth.

THE PATTERN

The summons to speak is paired with presence and timely instruction at the mouth.

And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

Exodus 4:15 · KJVThe promise of presence and teaching extends to both mouths, joining instruction with shared speech.

Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Jeremiah 1:9 · KJVSpeech is shown as something received at the mouth, where the words are placed.

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Luke 12:12 · KJVThe teaching arrives in the same hour as the speaking, matching the verse’s close pairing of instruction and utterance.

THE THREAD

And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

Exodus 4:15 · KJV

The next verse repeats the same y-r-h verb translated “teach” and extends “I will be with thy mouth” to both Moses and Aaron. The shared root makes this instruction a form of direction within speech itself.

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