Exodus 19:8

KJV

And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the people {H5971} answered {H6030} together {H3162}, and said {H559}, All that the LORD {H3068} hath spoken {H1696} we will do {H6213}. And Moses {H4872} returned {H7725} the words {H1697} of the people {H5971} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the people answered as one, "Everything ADONAI has said, we will do." Moshe reported the words of the people to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD.

American Standard Version

And all the people answered together, and said, All that Jehovah hath spoken we will do. And Moses reported the words of the people unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 19:8 records a pivotal moment in the history of Israel: the nation's unanimous and enthusiastic acceptance of God's covenant proposal at Mount Sinai. Following their miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage, Yahweh had graciously extended an invitation, promising them a unique status as His "peculiar treasure," a "kingdom of priests," and a "holy nation" if they would faithfully obey His voice and keep His covenant. This verse captures the people's collective and immediate affirmation of these terms, laying the foundational stone for their identity and relationship with God under the Old Covenant, mediated by Moses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 19:8 serves as the climactic response to God's initial covenant overture, setting the stage for the formal giving of the Law. The preceding verses meticulously detail Yahweh's gracious initiative. In [Exodus 19:3-4](/exodus/19-3-4 "Exodus 19:3-4 - God's Deliverance and Invitation"), God summons Moses to ascend Sinai, instructing him to remind the Israelites of His powerful acts of deliverance, particularly how He "bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." This vivid imagery underscores His sovereign protection and tender care. Immediately following this historical prologue, in [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - The Covenant Proposal and Israel's Unique Status"), God articulates the conditional terms of the covenant: if they would "obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant," they would become His "peculiar treasure unto me above all people," a "kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." Moses then descends, gathers the elders, and faithfully relays "all these words" to them, who in turn present them to the people. The people's unified response in verse 8 is their formal, verbal acceptance, which then paves the way for the dramatic revelation of the Ten Commandments and the detailed stipulations of the Mosaic Law in the chapters that follow, beginning with [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had recently experienced a monumental act of divine intervention, being delivered from centuries of brutal slavery in Egypt, a narrative thoroughly documented in [Exodus 1-18](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - The Enslavement and Deliverance of Israel"). They arrived at Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb) as a newly formed, yet still unorganized, nation, having witnessed God's power through the plagues and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. Their encampment at Sinai marked a crucial transition from liberation to legislation, from a people freed to a people covenanted. In the ancient Near East, covenants or treaties between a suzerain (a superior king) and a vassal (a subordinate nation) were a common diplomatic and legal framework. These treaties typically included a historical prologue (recalling past benefits provided by the suzerain), stipulations (laws and commands), blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience, and a call for witnesses. God's covenant with Israel at Sinai, while divinely unique in its spiritual depth and redemptive purpose, mirrored some of these formal elements, making it culturally comprehensible to the Israelites. The people's declaration, "All that the LORD hath spoken we will do," was a solemn, binding commitment, akin to a vassal nation pledging unwavering loyalty and obedience to its suzerain. This moment profoundly established Israel's national identity not merely as a collection of tribes, but as a people uniquely chosen and set apart by God for a specific purpose, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, a Holy People to the LORD").

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 19:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Covenant**. This verse is the formal ratification of the Mosaic Covenant, establishing the legal and relational framework for Israel's existence as God's chosen people. It underscores God's initiative in establishing this relationship, rooted in His grace and redemptive acts, rather than Israel's merit. Secondly, it emphasizes **Obedience and Responsibility**. The people's enthusiastic declaration, "All that the LORD hath spoken we will do," underscores their initial willingness to accept the terms of the covenant and their understanding of the responsibility that comes with being God's people. This theme will be continually tested throughout their wilderness journey and subsequent history, revealing the inherent human struggle to maintain perfect obedience. Thirdly, the verse points to **Mediation**. Moses' role in conveying God's words to the people and their response back to God highlights his crucial office as the divinely appointed mediator, a theme that foreshadows the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **National Identity and Election**, solidifying Israel's unique status as a corporate entity chosen by Yahweh to be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" ([Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel, a Kingdom of Priests and Holy Nation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered together (Hebrew, _ʻânâh yachad'_):** The verb `H6030 (ʻânâh)` means "to respond," "to give account," or "to answer," indicating a verbal reply. The adverb `H3162 (yachad)` signifies "unitedly," "as one," or "together." The combination emphasizes the remarkable unanimity and solidarity of the Israelite people. This was not a fragmented or debated response, but a single, collective voice of assent from the entire assembly. It powerfully conveys the initial fervent zeal and shared commitment of the nascent nation to God's covenant proposal, highlighting a moment of powerful, unified national identity and purpose.

* **do (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** The verb `H6213 (ʻâsâh)` is a primitive root meaning "to do or make" in the broadest sense and widest application, encompassing actions like accomplishing, performing, fulfilling, or executing. In the phrase "we will do" (נַעֲשֶׂה, _na'aseh'_), it is a strong, active declaration in the Qal imperfect first-person plural, expressing a firm resolve and intention. It signifies not merely passive acceptance but an active commitment to perform, obey, and fulfill the covenant stipulations. While heartfelt at the moment, this human promise, made in their own strength, sets up a poignant contrast with their future struggles and the ultimate necessity of divine grace and enablement for true, sustained obedience.

* **returned the words (Hebrew, _shûwb dâbâr'_):** The verb `H7725 (shûwb)` means "to turn back," "to bring back," or "to return." The noun `H1697 (dâbâr)` refers to "a word," "a matter," or "a thing spoken." This phrase underscores Moses' crucial role as the divinely appointed mediator. He is not merely a messenger but an intermediary who faithfully conveys messages between God and the people. This act of "returning the words" signifies the completion of the communication loop and Moses' accountability in his mediatorial office. It highlights the structured and orderly nature of God's interaction with His people through chosen representatives, ensuring proper communication and confirmation of the covenant agreement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the people answered together,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the corporate and unified nature of the response. The phrase "all the people" (כָּל־הָעָם, _kol-ha'am_) stresses the comprehensive and inclusive character of their agreement, indicating that no dissent was recorded. The unity implied by "answered together" (יַחְדָּו, _yachdav_) suggests a powerful, singular voice, emphasizing the collective will and initial enthusiasm of the entire nation. This was a moment of national consensus and shared purpose, signifying their corporate entry into the covenant relationship.

* **"and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do."**: This is the core of Israel's affirmation, a solemn pledge of allegiance. "All that the LORD hath spoken" (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה, _kol asher dibber Yahweh_) signifies their acceptance of the full scope of God's revealed will, not merely select parts. The declaration "we will do" (נַעֲשֶׂה, _na'aseh_) is a bold, active promise of obedience, indicating their readiness to comply with every commandment and stipulation of the covenant. This statement represents their formal entry into the covenant, a binding commitment to Yahweh as their sovereign and lawgiver.

* **"And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD."**: This concluding clause highlights Moses' indispensable role as the covenant mediator. After receiving the people's unanimous affirmation, Moses faithfully conveys their response back to God. This act confirms the completion of the initial stage of the covenant process, where the terms were proposed, accepted, and the acceptance was duly reported to the divine suzerain. It underscores the structured and divinely ordained protocol for the establishment of this foundational relationship, validating the people's commitment before God.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 19:8 employs several potent literary devices that enrich its meaning and impact. **Emphasis** is powerfully achieved through the repetition of "all the people" and the specific phrase "answered together," which underscores the nation's remarkable unanimity and collective resolve. This highlights the corporate nature of the covenant and Israel's unified initial commitment to Yahweh. The phrase "All that the LORD hath spoken we will do" functions as a **covenant formula** or **oath of allegiance**, a solemn declaration of intent that formally binds the vassal (Israel) to the suzerain (Yahweh). This formulaic language reinforces the legal and binding nature of the agreement, mirroring ancient Near Eastern treaty patterns. Furthermore, there is a profound sense of **dramatic irony** embedded within this verse. While the people's declaration "we will do" is undoubtedly sincere and enthusiastic in the moment, the subsequent narrative of Israel's history, marked by repeated disobedience and covenant breaking, stands in stark contrast to this initial vow. This irony subtly foreshadows the inherent human inability to perfectly uphold God's righteous standards through sheer willpower, thereby pointing to the future necessity of a new, internal covenant. Finally, Moses' role as the one who "returned the words of the people unto the LORD" serves as **foreshadowing**, subtly pointing to the ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ, who perfectly bridges the gap between God and humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 19:8 is a foundational text for understanding covenant theology, particularly the nature of the Old Covenant. It reveals God's gracious initiative in establishing a relationship with His people, not based on their merit or past performance, but on His sovereign grace and redemptive acts in delivering them from Egypt. The people's enthusiastic "we will do" underscores the principle of human responsibility within the covenant, yet also implicitly highlights the inherent limitations of human strength and willpower in fulfilling divine requirements. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent revelation of the Law, demonstrating that the Law was given *after* salvation (deliverance from Egypt), not as a means to earn it, but as a guide for living in a holy and covenant relationship with a holy God. The consistent inability of Israel to uphold this promise throughout their history ultimately points to the necessity of a New Covenant, where obedience is not merely an external promise or a matter of human resolve, but an internal transformation wrought by the Spirit of God.

* [Deuteronomy 5:27-29](/deuteronomy/5-27-29 "Deuteronomy 5:27-29 - Israel's Promise and God's Desire for Obedience")
* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Prophecy of the New Covenant")
* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Justification Not by Works of the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 19:8 serves as a profound mirror for self-reflection on our own commitments to God. The Israelites' eager "we will do" resonates with the initial zeal many believers experience when first encountering God's grace, making a fresh commitment, or dedicating their lives to Christ. It reminds us of the importance of a willing and responsive heart in accepting God's call and His terms for a relationship. However, the subsequent historical trajectory of Israel, marked by repeated failures to uphold this very promise, offers a sober and humbling reminder of the limitations of human resolve and strength when faced with the demands of God's perfect holiness. For us today, it underscores that while our commitment is vital, true and sustained obedience flows not from our own willpower alone, but from the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live out the New Covenant reality. This verse challenges us to consider whether our "we will do" is rooted in self-reliance and a naive overestimation of our own capabilities, or in a humble dependence on God's grace and empowering presence. Genuine spiritual transformation and lasting obedience are ultimately gifts of God, not achievements of human effort.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Israel's unanimous "we will do" reveal about their initial understanding and enthusiasm for the covenant, and how does this compare to our own initial commitments to faith?**
* **How does the subsequent history of Israel, marked by repeated failures, inform our understanding of human capacity to perfectly keep God's commands?**
* **In what areas of your life have you made a "we will do" promise to God (e.g., a New Year's resolution, a vow of dedication), and what has been your experience in fulfilling it?**
* **How does the New Covenant, where God writes His laws on our hearts and empowers us by His Spirit, address the inherent challenge highlighted by Israel's promise in Exodus 19:8?**

### FAQ
**Did the Israelites truly understand the full implications of their promise in Exodus 19:8?**

Answer: While the Israelites' response was undoubtedly sincere and enthusiastic in the moment, it is highly unlikely they fully grasped the immense weight and rigorous demands of the covenant they were entering. Their experience of God had been primarily one of miraculous deliverance and provision, not sustained moral obedience to a holy standard. The subsequent giving of the detailed Law in [Exodus 20-23](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments") and beyond would reveal the depth of God's holiness and the breadth of His expectations for a covenant people. Their repeated failures throughout the wilderness journey and in the Promised Land (e.g., the golden calf incident in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf")) demonstrate that their initial "we will do" was a promise made from a place of zeal and perhaps a degree of naiveté, but without a full comprehension of their own inherent weakness and the spiritual strength required to maintain such a profound commitment.

**What is the theological significance of "all the people" answering together?**

Answer: The unanimity of "all the people answered together" is profoundly significant for several theological reasons. Firstly, it emphasizes the corporate nature of the covenant relationship. God was not making a covenant with a select few leaders or a particular tribe, but with the entire nation of Israel. This collective assent established a national identity rooted in their shared commitment to Yahweh. Secondly, it underscored the principle that the blessings and responsibilities of the covenant applied to every individual within the community, fostering a sense of shared destiny and mutual accountability. This corporate identity would be crucial for their role as God's "kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" ([Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel, a Kingdom of Priests and Holy Nation")), signifying that their witness to the world was to be a collective, unified testimony to God's character and commands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 19:8, with Israel's enthusiastic but ultimately insufficient "we will do," powerfully foreshadows the profound need for a greater covenant and a perfect obedience found only in Jesus Christ. Israel's earnest promise highlights humanity's inherent inability to perfectly keep God's righteous law in its own strength, a truth affirmed by Paul in [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - No One Justified by Law") where he states that "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified." Jesus Christ, however, is the one who perfectly fulfilled "all that the LORD hath spoken," not only by His sinless life of perfect obedience to the Father's will ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")) but also by His sacrificial death, bearing the curse of the Law for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law")). He is the ultimate Mediator of a New Covenant, "a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Under this New Covenant, God's law is no longer merely an external command to be promised and attempted, but is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")), enabling true obedience from within. Thus, Christ's perfect righteousness is imputed to us by faith ([Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Romans 4:3 - Abraham's Faith Counted as Righteousness")), and through the Spirit, we are empowered to genuinely "do" God's will, fulfilling what Israel could only promise but never fully achieve. Our ability to live righteously is not based on our own "we will do," but on His finished work, declared with "it is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Last Words on the Cross")), and the empowering presence of the Spirit who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose ([Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Works in Us")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 24:7

And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.

Exodus 24:3

And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.

Exodus 20:19

And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

Deuteronomy 5:27

Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear [it], and do [it].

Deuteronomy 5:29

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Joshua 24:24

And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.

Nehemiah 10:29

They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;