Renewed commission and Moses’ objection

This brief scene follows Yahweh’s earlier reassurance that he has heard Israel’s groaning and will act (6:1–9), yet Moses’ report to the people was met with discouragement and non-response. Against that backdrop, the renewed command in 6:10–11 pushes the story back toward confrontation with Pharaoh. Moses’ objection in 6:12 echoes earlier resistance at the burning bush about speaking ability and being believed, now sharpened by recent experience. Verse 13 functions as a transition: it widens the commissioning from Moses alone to Moses and Aaron together and reasserts the basic mission to Israel and to Pharaoh.

The passage assumes an Israelite population living under forced labor within Egypt, facing a centralized royal administration represented by “Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Requests and refusals are framed as political commands: Pharaoh controls land, labor, and permission to depart. Moses and Aaron appear as representatives of an enslaved ethnic community attempting to address the highest authority in the land, a risky social position. The setting fits a New Kingdom Egypt context in which state building projects, strict labor control, and strong royal ideology made the idea of releasing a large labor force both economically costly and politically unlikely.

Shared ground

These verses show Yahweh re-issuing the mission after a setback: Moses is to go speak to Pharaoh so Israel can leave Egypt (vv. 10–11). The text presents this as Yahweh’s direct command, not Moses’ idea.

Moses’ objection is built on two points the passage states plainly: Israel has not listened to him, and Moses expects Pharaoh to be even less receptive (v. 12). Moses also describes himself with the striking phrase “uncircumcised lips,” signaling felt inadequacy in speech or fitness to speak.

Yahweh’s answer is not an argument about Moses’ self-description. Instead, Yahweh broadens and formalizes the commission: Moses and Aaron together are charged concerning both Israel and Pharaoh, with the stated aim of bringing Israel out of Egypt (v. 13).

Where interpretation differs

What “uncircumcised lips” means. Some understand it as a speech impediment or lack of eloquence (a practical speaking limitation). Others hear it as “impure/unfit lips” (ritual or moral fitness language used metaphorically), emphasizing shame, unworthiness, or outsider status rather than mechanics of speech.

Why Israel “didn’t listen.” Some read it as active refusal or distrust of Moses. Others read it mainly as inability to respond because of crushing conditions and discouragement in the immediate context (6:9), so “didn’t listen” describes a broken capacity more than stubbornness.

What the “charge” included. The text says Yahweh “gave them a charge” (v. 13) but doesn’t spell out its exact content. Some infer it included specific instructions on what to say and how to approach both audiences; others take it as a renewed authorization and responsibility statement without implying new detailed speech content.

Why the disagreement exists The passage uses compressed narrative. It reports Moses’ phrase (“uncircumcised lips”) without explaining it, and it summarizes Yahweh’s response as a “charge” without giving the speech. Readers therefore lean on broader biblical usage of “uncircumcised” as a metaphor and on nearby context about Israel’s discouragement.

What this passage clearly contributes It highlights the mission’s persistence: Yahweh’s purpose (Israel’s departure from Egypt) continues despite failed reception. It also clarifies roles: Moses and Aaron are commissioned toward two audiences—Israel and Pharaoh—with one goal. The text frames human weakness and resistance as real factors, but not as the deciding factor that sets the agenda for the deliverance.