Exodus 24:9

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Exodus 24:9 describes a pivotal moment in ancient Israel's history, immediately following the solemn covenant ceremony at the foot of Mount Sinai. This verse records the ascent of key leaders – Moses, Aaron, his sons Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel – who were invited by God to draw nearer to His presence on the mountain.

Context

This verse is part of a crucial passage in Exodus (chapters 19-24) detailing God's establishment of His covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai. After God delivered the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and gave additional statutes (the Book of the Covenant, Exodus 21-23), Moses read these laws to the people, who affirmed their obedience. This ascent followed the solemn ratification of the covenant with sacrifices and the sprinkling of blood, symbolizing their commitment and God's acceptance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Invitation and Privilege: God extended a unique invitation to a select group of Israel's leaders to approach Him more closely than the general populace. This access underscored their privileged position as representatives and recipients of divine revelation.
  • Hierarchical Representation: The group ascending represented different facets of Israel's leadership:
    • Moses: The primary mediator of the covenant.
    • Aaron: The designated High Priest, leader of the priesthood.
    • Nadab and Abihu: Aaron's sons, future priests, who tragically later faced severe judgment for offering unauthorized fire.
    • Seventy Elders: Representative leaders chosen from among the tribes of Israel, symbolizing the entire nation's participation in this covenant encounter. The number seventy often signifies completeness or representation in biblical contexts, as seen later when the Spirit of the Lord rested upon seventy elders in Numbers 11.
  • Covenant Confirmation: This ascent was not merely a physical journey but a spiritual act of confirming the covenant relationship. It led to a profound moment of divine communion and revelation described in the subsequent verses.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went up" (Hebrew: Χ•Φ·Χ™ΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧœΧ•ΦΌ, vayya'alu) emphasizes the upward movement, signifying not just a physical climb but an ascent into a sacred, set-apart space where God's presence was manifested. This act of ascending to meet with God is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, symbolizing drawing near to the divine.

Practical Application

Exodus 24:9 highlights the importance of leadership and representation in spiritual matters. It also reminds us of the privilege and responsibility that comes with drawing near to God. While direct access to Mount Sinai is no longer required, believers today have direct access to God's presence through Jesus Christ, the mediator of a new and better covenant. This verse also implicitly warns that even those granted great privilege must approach God with reverence and obedience, as exemplified by the later fate of Nadab and Abihu.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 24:1

    ΒΆ 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.
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