Exodus 24:9

KJV

¶ Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then went up {H5927} Moses {H4872}, and Aaron {H175}, Nadab {H5070}, and Abihu {H30}, and seventy {H7657} of the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe, Aharon, Nadav, Avihu and seventy of the leaders went up;

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,

American Standard Version

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 24:9 marks a singular and profoundly significant moment of divine invitation and privileged access for key leaders of Israel following the solemn ratification of the Mosaic Covenant at Mount Sinai. Moses, Aaron, his sons Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel were summoned to ascend the mountain, drawing nearer to God's manifested presence than the general populace. This ascent was not merely a physical journey but a deeply spiritual act, symbolizing the nation's representative approach to the Holy One and setting the stage for further, more intimate revelation and communion with the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 24:9 is situated within the climactic section of the book of Exodus (chapters 19-24) that describes the establishment of God's covenant with the newly liberated nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. Prior to this verse, God had delivered the foundational Ten Commandments directly to the people from the mountain (beginning in [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments")), followed by a detailed set of civil and religious laws known as the Book of the Covenant ([Exodus 21-23](/exodus/21 "Exodus 21-23 - The Book of the Covenant")). The immediate preceding verses in [Exodus 24:1-8](/exodus/24-1-8 "Exodus 24:1-8 - Covenant Ratification Ceremony") detail the solemn ratification ceremony, where Moses read the covenant stipulations to the people, who affirmed their commitment with a resounding "All that the Lord has spoken we will do!" ([Exodus 24:3](/exodus/24-3 "Exodus 24:3 - Israel's Affirmation")). This was sealed with sacrifices and the sprinkling of blood upon both the altar and the people, signifying the binding nature of the agreement. The ascent of the leaders in verse 9 is a direct fulfillment of God's initial invitation in [Exodus 24:1](/exodus/24-1 "Exodus 24:1 - God's Invitation to the Leaders"), transitioning from the general covenant-making with the nation to a more intimate, representative encounter with God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Covenant-making was a pervasive and well-understood practice in the ancient Near East, typically involving a suzerain (a powerful king) and a vassal (a lesser king or nation). These treaties commonly included stipulations, blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience, and a formal ratification ceremony. The Sinai covenant, however, was unique; Yahweh, the sovereign God, initiated it with Israel, His chosen people, not as a political equal but as their deliverer from slavery and their benevolent Lord. The concept of a sacred mountain, like Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb), as a place of divine manifestation and encounter was also significant in ancient cultures, setting apart a specific geographical space for God's presence. The selection of seventy elders reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of utilizing representative bodies for governance and decision-making. The number seventy itself often carried symbolic weight, indicating completeness or a full representation of a group, a concept reinforced later in the biblical narrative with the appointment of [seventy elders to assist Moses in Numbers 11](/numbers/11-16 "Numbers 11:16 - Appointment of Seventy Elders"). The carefully delineated hierarchical access—first Moses, then Aaron, his sons, and finally the elders—underscores the profound holiness of God and the necessity of mediated access under the Old Covenant, a stark contrast to the direct access afforded to believers under the New Covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 24:9 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader narrative of Exodus. The primary theme is **Divine Presence and Holiness**, emphasizing God's transcendence and the awe-inspiring nature of His being, which necessitates a structured and reverent approach. Related to this is the theme of **Mediated Access**, highlighting that under the Old Covenant, human beings could not directly approach God's unmediated glory; rather, specific individuals (Moses, Aaron) were appointed as intermediaries. The verse also underscores the theme of **Covenant Relationship**, as this ascent is a direct consequence of the covenant ratification, demonstrating God's desire for intimate fellowship with His people, albeit through representatives. Finally, the inclusion of the seventy elders speaks to the theme of **Corporate Representation**, signifying that the entire nation of Israel, through its chosen leaders, was brought into this sacred encounter, reinforcing their collective commitment to the covenant stipulations and their identity as God's chosen people, as described earlier in [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, a Kingdom of Priests").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **went up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** This verb, derived from the root H5927 (`ʻâlâh`), signifies an upward movement, an ascent. In this context, it is not merely a physical climb but carries profound spiritual weight, indicating a movement towards God's presence, a drawing near to the sacred. It implies a transition from common ground to holy ground, emphasizing the privilege and solemnity of the encounter. The root's broad semantic range (to ascend, arise, exalt, lift up) reinforces the idea of elevation, both physically and spiritually, into the divine sphere.
* **Aaron (Hebrew, _ʼAhărôwn'_):** H175 (`ʼAhărôwn`) refers to Moses's brother, the designated High Priest. His inclusion signifies the importance of the newly established priestly line in mediating between God and Israel. As the first High Priest, Aaron's ascent highlights the sacred role of the priesthood in facilitating worship and maintaining the covenant relationship, a role that would become central to Israelite religious life.
* **Nadab (Hebrew, _Nâdâb'_):** H5070 (`Nâdâb`) means "liberal" or "generous." Nadab was one of Aaron's eldest sons, consecrated to the priesthood alongside his brother Abihu. Their presence here underscores their privileged position as future leaders within the priestly lineage, granted extraordinary access to God's presence. This moment of high honor stands in stark contrast to their later tragic fate, which serves as a poignant reminder of the strict holiness required in approaching God.
* **Abihu (Hebrew, _ʼĂbîyhûwʼ'_):** H30 (`ʼĂbîyhûwʼ`) means "father (i.e. worshipper) of Him (i.e. God)." Abihu, like Nadab, was one of Aaron's sons and a consecrated priest. His inclusion with Nadab emphasizes their joint privilege and responsibility within the priestly family. Their shared ascent to witness God's presence foreshadows their shared, yet tragic, violation of God's commands in the Tabernacle service, as recorded in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire").
* **seventy (Hebrew, _shibʻîym'_):** H7657 (`shibʻîym`) denotes the number seventy. This number frequently appears in biblical contexts with symbolic significance, often representing completeness, totality, or a comprehensive group. For instance, there were seventy nations listed in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"), seventy members of Jacob's household who went down to Egypt ([Genesis 46:27](/genesis/46-27 "Genesis 46:27 - Jacob's Household in Egypt")), and later, seventy elders upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rested ([Numbers 11:16-17](/numbers/11-16-17 "Numbers 11:16-17 - Spirit on the Elders")). In Exodus 24:9, the seventy elders represent the entirety of the Israelite nation, signifying that the covenant encounter, though mediated, involved the full participation and assent of the people through their chosen representatives.
* **elders (Hebrew, _zâqên'_):** H2205 (`zâqên`) refers to an "old" or "aged" person, often denoting a position of authority and wisdom within the community. These elders were established leaders and representatives from the various tribes of Israel, chosen to stand on behalf of the entire nation. Their presence underscores the corporate nature of the covenant, demonstrating that the people, through their representatives, were witness to and participants in this divine encounter, reinforcing their commitment to the covenant stipulations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then went up Moses,"**: This opening phrase establishes the immediate action and highlights Moses's preeminent role as the primary mediator of the covenant. His ascent is a direct response to God's invitation, signifying his unique privilege and responsibility to draw near to God's presence on behalf of the nation. He is the one through whom God's law and will are revealed.
* **"and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu,"**: This clause specifies the inclusion of the priestly family. Aaron, as the designated High Priest, and his two eldest sons, Nadab and Abihu, are granted extraordinary access. Their presence underscores the sacredness of the priestly office and its vital role in mediating between God and the people, particularly in matters of worship and sacrifice, even as their later actions would tragically demonstrate the severe consequences of failing to honor God's holiness.
* **"and seventy of the elders of Israel:"**: This final clause broadens the scope of the privileged group to include the representative leaders of the entire nation. The seventy elders, chosen from the tribes of Israel, symbolize the corporate body of the people. Their ascent ensures that the covenant encounter is not merely a private affair between God and Moses or the priestly family, but a public, representative event involving the whole community, thereby solidifying the nation's collective commitment and participation in the covenant relationship with Yahweh.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 24:9 employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. The most prominent is the **Ascension Motif**, where the act of "going up" (Hebrew: _vayya'alu_) signifies not merely a physical climb but a spiritual drawing near to the divine presence. This motif is central to the Sinai narrative, establishing the mountain as a sacred space where heaven and earth intersect and where humanity can approach the divine, albeit under strict conditions. **Symbolism** is also profoundly evident, particularly in the number "seventy," which represents the completeness and corporate nature of Israel, emphasizing that the entire nation, through its representatives, was brought into this intimate covenant encounter. The specific enumeration of individuals—Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders—creates a **Hierarchical Structure** of access, demonstrating the varying degrees of proximity allowed to God's presence, from Moses as the primary mediator to the priestly family and then the elders, illustrating the ordered and sacred nature of divine revelation and interaction in the Old Covenant. Furthermore, the inclusion of Nadab and Abihu, given their later tragic demise, serves as subtle **Foreshadowing**. While not explicitly stated here, their presence, juxtaposed with the holiness of the encounter, implicitly warns of the severe consequences of violating God's commands, even for those in privileged positions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 24:9 powerfully illustrates the themes of divine invitation, mediated access, and corporate representation in the Old Covenant. God, in His absolute holiness, required a specific, ordered approach, and He graciously extended an invitation to a select group of Israel's leaders to draw near. This privilege underscored the solemnity of the covenant and the unique relationship God was establishing with Israel. It highlights that even in the context of a covenant made with an entire nation, there were specific individuals chosen to mediate and represent the people before God, emphasizing the necessity of a designated pathway to divine communion. This mediated access, while a profound privilege, also served to underscore God's awe-inspiring holiness, which could not be approached casually or without proper consecration and representation. The scene sets the stage for understanding the need for a perfect mediator.

* [Hebrews 12:18-24](/hebrews/12-18-24 "Hebrews 12:18-24 - Mount Sinai vs. Mount Zion")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")
* [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 24:9, while describing a specific historical event, offers profound insights for contemporary believers concerning our relationship with God. The privileged access granted to Moses and the elders at Sinai serves as a powerful backdrop against which to understand the immense grace extended to us in the New Covenant. Through the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are no longer limited to a physical mountain or reliant on human mediators in the same way; rather, we are invited to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Let Us Draw Near")). This direct and unhindered access to God's presence is an unparalleled privilege, yet it comes with significant responsibility. Just as the leaders at Sinai were to approach with reverence, obedience, and a recognition of God's holiness, so too must we approach God with humility, sincerity, and a desire to honor His character. Furthermore, as a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), every believer is called to live as a representative of God in the world, embodying His character, proclaiming His excellencies, and participating in His redemptive mission. Our lives, therefore, become a living testimony, mediating God's truth and love to those around us, much like the elders represented Israel before God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the privileged, yet limited, access granted to Moses and the elders at Sinai deepen our appreciation for our own unhindered access to God through Christ?**
* **What responsibilities accompany the profound privilege of drawing near to God's presence in our daily lives, and how should this shape our worship and conduct?**
* **In what ways do we, as believers, serve as representatives of God in the world today, and what implications does this have for our words, actions, and priorities?**

### FAQ
**Why were only these specific individuals allowed to ascend Mount Sinai to see God?**

Answer: God's invitation in [Exodus 24:1](/exodus/24-1 "Exodus 24:1 - God's Invitation to the Leaders") was highly selective due to His absolute holiness and the nature of the Old Covenant. Moses was the unique, divinely appointed mediator of the covenant, chosen to receive and deliver God's laws directly. Aaron and his sons, Nadab and Abihu, represented the newly established priestly line, responsible for mediating worship and sacrifice for the nation. The seventy elders were chosen as representative leaders from the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the entire nation's corporate participation in this sacred encounter. This hierarchical and limited access underscored God's transcendence and the necessity of a divinely appointed order for approaching His awesome presence under the Old Covenant.

**What is the significance of "seventy of the elders of Israel" in this context?**

Answer: The number seventy often carries symbolic weight in the Bible, frequently representing completeness, totality, or a comprehensive representation. In this instance, the seventy elders were chosen from among the established leaders of Israel's tribes to represent the entire nation before God. Their presence ensured that the covenant was not merely between God and Moses, or God and the priestly family, but between God and all of Israel, through their chosen and recognized representatives. This concept of corporate representation reinforced the nation's collective commitment to the covenant. This idea is echoed later when the Spirit of the Lord rests upon [seventy elders in Numbers 11:16-17](/numbers/11-16-17 "Numbers 11:16-17 - Spirit on the Elders") to assist Moses in leadership, demonstrating a pattern of representative leadership in Israel.

**What happened immediately after these leaders ascended the mountain?**

Answer: Immediately following their ascent, [Exodus 24:10-11](/exodus/24-10-11 "Exodus 24:10-11 - The Vision of God") describes a remarkable vision where they "saw the God of Israel." This was not a full, unmediated vision of God's glory, which no one can see and live ([Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See My Face and Live")), but a manifestation that allowed them to perceive Him without being consumed, perhaps a visible representation of His presence. They also shared a covenant meal in God's presence, symbolizing fellowship, peace, and the ratification of the covenant. After this, Moses alone was called further up the mountain to receive the tablets of stone inscribed with the Law ([Exodus 24:12](/exodus/24-12 "Exodus 24:12 - Moses Ascends for the Tablets")), signifying his unique role as the primary lawgiver.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 24:9, with its depiction of mediated and hierarchical access to God's presence at Mount Sinai, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect access granted through Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant's requirement for Moses as mediator, Aaron as high priest, and the elders as representatives highlights the inherent barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity, a barrier that human efforts could never fully overcome. Yet, in Christ, this barrier is completely removed. Jesus is the greater Moses, the Prophet like no other, who perfectly mediates God's new covenant, a covenant superior in every way ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses"); [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Superior Covenant")). He is the ultimate High Priest, not of the Aaronic order, but of the eternal order of Melchizedek, who offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin, making any further sacrifices unnecessary ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"); [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Jesus' Perfect Sacrifice")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, the temple veil, symbolizing the separation between God and humanity, was torn from top to bottom ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that the way into God's most holy presence is now open for all who believe. No longer do we ascend a physical mountain or rely on human mediators; rather, we are given boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, having a new and living way ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through the Blood of Jesus")). The profound privilege once reserved for a select few at Sinai is now the inheritance of every believer, who, through Christ, becomes part of a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), able to draw near to God directly and intimately.

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 24:1

¶ And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.