Exodus 3:16

¶ Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and [seen] that which is done to you in Egypt:

Go {H3212}, and gather {H622} the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478} together {H622}, and say {H559} unto them, The LORD {H3068} God {H430} of your fathers {H1}, the God {H430} of Abraham {H85}, of Isaac {H3327}, and of Jacob {H3290}, appeared {H7200} unto me, saying {H559}, I have surely {H6485} visited {H6485} you, and seen that which is done {H6213} to you in Egypt {H4714}:

Go, gather the leaders of Isra'el together, and say to them, 'ADONAI, the God of your fathers, the God of Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov, has appeared to me and said, "I have been paying close attention to you and have seen what is being done to you in Egypt;

Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.

Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 3:16 (KJV)

Exodus 3:16 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Following God's dramatic appearance to Moses in the burning bush, this verse initiates Moses' direct mission to the Israelites. God instructs Moses to gather the elders, the recognized leaders of the Israelite community, to deliver a message of divine intervention and remembrance.

Context

This verse follows the profound encounter between God and Moses at Mount Horeb (Sinai), where God reveals His divine name, "I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3:14). After Moses expresses his unworthiness and questions about who he should say sent him, God provides the answer and immediately gives the first concrete steps for the mission. The "elders of Israel" were crucial figures, representing the people and holding authority, making them the natural first point of contact for Moses to convey God's message of impending freedom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Remembrance and Covenant Faithfulness: The phrase "The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob" powerfully connects God's present action to His historical covenant with the patriarchs. This emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises made generations earlier, even after centuries of silence and suffering. This theme is central to understanding God's character throughout the Old Testament.
  • God's Awareness of Suffering: "I have surely visited you, and [seen] that which is done to you in Egypt." This declaration assures the oppressed Israelites that their cries have been heard and their plight acknowledged by God. It signifies not merely observation but active, compassionate awareness and an intent to intervene. This echoes God's earlier notice of their groaning in Exodus 2:24.
  • Initiation of Deliverance: This verse is the beginning of God's active plan to liberate His people. It's a message of hope, signaling that the long period of enslavement is coming to an end. It sets the stage for the miraculous events of the Exodus.
  • Delegated Authority: God instructs Moses to work through established leadership. This highlights the importance of spiritual and community leaders in communicating God's will and rallying the people for a divine purpose.

Linguistic Insights

  • "visited" (Hebrew: paqad - פָּקַד): While "visit" can imply a casual call, here paqad carries the weight of a divine inspection or intervention with a specific purpose. It signifies God's active attention to their situation, often implying judgment or deliverance, in this case, a visitation for their benefit.
  • "seen" (Hebrew: ra'ah - רָאָה): This is more than just a glance; it means to perceive, understand, and acknowledge. God's "seeing" their affliction implies a deep understanding of their suffering and a compassionate response.
  • "The LORD God of your fathers": The use of both Yahweh (LORD) and Elohim (God) alongside the patriarchal lineage underscores God's personal covenant relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him from the pagan deities of Egypt.

Practical Application

Exodus 3:16 offers profound comfort and insight for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Sees and Hears: In times of personal or collective suffering, this verse assures us that God is not distant or unaware. He sees our struggles, hears our prayers, and remembers His promises to us, just as He did for Israel.
  • God is Faithful: His identity as "the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob" is a powerful reminder of His unchanging faithfulness to His covenant people through generations. We can trust that His promises endure.
  • Hope in Oppression: For those facing injustice or oppression, this verse is a beacon of hope. God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity and has a plan for deliverance, often working through chosen instruments like Moses.
  • Importance of Leadership: It underscores the role of godly leadership in communicating divine truth and guiding people through challenging times.

The message delivered to the elders was a promise of a future in a land flowing with milk and honey, a promise God was now ready to fulfill (Exodus 3:17).

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

Cross-References

  • Exodus 4:29 (8 votes)

    And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:

  • Psalms 8:4 (8 votes)

    What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

  • Exodus 4:31 (8 votes)

    And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

  • Genesis 50:24 (6 votes)

    And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

  • Acts 15:14 (5 votes)

    Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

  • Exodus 4:5 (3 votes)

    That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

  • Acts 11:30 (3 votes)

    Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.