Exodus 3:18

And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

And they shall hearken {H8085} to thy voice {H6963}: and thou shalt come {H935}, thou and the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478}, unto the king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714}, and ye shall say {H559} unto him, The LORD {H3068} God {H430} of the Hebrews {H5680} hath met {H7136} with us: and now let us go {H3212}, we beseech thee, three {H7969} days {H3117}' journey {H1870} into the wilderness {H4057}, that we may sacrifice {H2076} to the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}.

They will heed what you say. Then you will come, you and the leaders of Isra'el, before the king of Egypt; and you will tell him, 'ADONAI, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now, please, let us go three days' journey into the desert; so that we can sacrifice to ADONAI our God.'

The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’

And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, hath met with us: and now let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Jehovah our God.

Commentary

Exodus 3:18 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Israelite exodus from Egypt, detailing God's specific instructions to Moses regarding the initial approach to Pharaoh. It outlines the first step in God's grand plan for the liberation of His people.

Context

This verse is part of God's direct commissioning of Moses at the burning bush. Having just revealed His covenant name, "I AM THAT I AM" (YHWH, the LORD), God now tells Moses precisely what to say and do. Moses is to gather the "elders of Israel," the recognized leaders among the enslaved Hebrews, and together they are to present a seemingly modest request to the king of Egypt (Pharaoh): permission for a "three days' journey into the wilderness" for the purpose of worship and sacrifice. This initial request, though appearing limited, was part of God's strategy to expose Pharaoh's stubbornness and showcase His own power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Mandate: The command comes directly from "The LORD God of the Hebrews," establishing God's sovereign authority over both Israel and Egypt. This highlights that the liberation was not a human initiative but a divine one.
  • Worship as a Priority: The stated purpose for leaving Egypt temporarily is to "sacrifice to the LORD our God." This underscores the fundamental importance of worship and devotion in God's relationship with His people. God desires a people free to worship Him without hindrance.
  • Pharaoh's Foreseen Resistance: While not explicit in this verse, God already knew Pharaoh would refuse this seemingly reasonable request (as revealed in Exodus 3:19 and subsequent chapters like Exodus 4:21). This request served as the opening move in a divine chess match that would lead to the ten plagues and the ultimate Exodus.
  • Leadership and Unity: Moses is instructed to go with the "elders of Israel," signifying the importance of recognized leadership and the unity of the people in presenting this appeal.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The LORD God of the Hebrews" is significant. "The LORD" (KJV capitalization) represents the Hebrew YHWH (Yahweh), God's personal covenant name, distinguishing Him from the numerous gods of Egypt. "Hebrews" was a term often used by foreigners to refer to the Israelites, emphasizing their distinct ethnic and religious identity to Pharaoh. The word for "sacrifice" (Hebrew: zavach) implies a ritual slaughter, which would have been an abomination to the Egyptians if performed in their land, thus necessitating departure.

Practical Application

Exodus 3:18 teaches us about God's strategic planning and His desire for His people's complete devotion. Just as God called Moses to speak on His behalf, He calls believers today to be His voice in the world, even when facing opposition. The verse also reminds us that true freedom often involves breaking away from oppressive systems (spiritual or otherwise) to fully engage in worship and service to God. It encourages obedience to God's instructions, even when the full scope of His plan is not yet clear, trusting that He is orchestrating events for His glory and our good.

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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 9:1 (11 votes)

    ¶ Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • Exodus 7:16 (9 votes)

    And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

  • Exodus 10:24 (5 votes)

    And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

  • Exodus 10:26 (5 votes)

    Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.

  • Exodus 10:3 (4 votes)

    And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • Exodus 9:13 (4 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:12 (3 votes)

    Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.