Shemot

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4:9

4:10

4:9

'And if they also do not believe these two signs, and still do not take you seriously, then you shall take some water from the Nile and spill it on the ground. The water that you will take from the Nile will turn into blood on the ground.'
Vehayah im-lo ya'aminu gam lishneh ha'otot ha'eleh velo yishme'un lekolecha velakachta mimeymey haYe'or veshafachta hayabashah vehayu hamayim asher tikach min-haYe'or vehayu ledam bayabashet.

4:10

Moses pleaded with God. 'I beg You, O God, I am not a man of words - not yesterday, not the day before - not from the very first time You spoke to me. I find it difficult to speak and find the right language.'
Vayomer Moshe el-Adonay bi Adonay lo ish devarim anochi gam mitmol gam mishilshom gam me'az dabercha el-avdecha ki chevad-peh uchevad lashon anochi.

Commentary:

first time You spoke to me
This indicates either that Moses had heard God's voice before, or that he had spent quite a while near the Burning Bush (Rashi; Seder Olam Rabbah 5). Or, 'even after You spoke to me' (Ramban; Lekach Tov), or, 'because You have spoken to me' and I am so immersed in prophecy (Ralbag).

I find it difficult to speak...
(Rashbam; Lekach Tov; Chizzkuni; Ralbag). Literally, 'I am heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue.' Others write that it denotes a speech defect (Rashi; Ibn Ezra; Ralbag; Bachya, quoting Rabbenu Chananel).

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