Exodus 6:26

These [are] that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.

These {H1931} are that Aaron {H175} and Moses {H4872}, to whom {H834} the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, Bring out {H3318} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} from the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} according to their armies {H6635}.

These are the Aharon and Moshe to whom ADONAI said, "Bring the people of Isra'el out of the land of Egypt, division by division,"

It was this Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, “Bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.”

These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom Jehovah said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their hosts.

Commentary

Exodus 6:26 serves as a crucial summary statement, interrupting a genealogical record to emphatically identify the two central figures of the Exodus narrative: Moses and Aaron. Coming after a detailed listing of the descendants of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi (the tribe from which Moses and Aaron descended), this verse powerfully reaffirms their divine appointment and singular role in God's plan for Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage.

Context

This verse appears immediately after the lengthy genealogies of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi (Exodus 6:14-25). Specifically, it follows the lineage of Levi, highlighting the ancestry of Moses and Aaron through Amram and Jochebed. Rather than continuing with more genealogies, the text pauses to underscore that these two brothers are the very individuals whom the LORD commissioned to lead the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. It acts as a narrative anchor, reminding the reader of their vital importance before the account of their further confrontations with Pharaoh.

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission and Authority: The verse explicitly states that Moses and Aaron were appointed "to whom the LORD said" to carry out this monumental task. It emphasizes that their leadership was not self-proclaimed but divinely ordained. This echoes God's initial call to Moses at the burning bush.
  • God's Deliverance: The central mission described—"Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt"—highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to deliver His people and bring them to the Promised Land.
  • Organized Departure: The phrase "according to their armies" suggests an ordered, disciplined exodus rather than a chaotic flight. It portrays Israel as an organized host, prepared by God for their journey, rather than a disorganized mob.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "according to their armies" translates the Hebrew word tzava (צָבָא). While often rendered as "army" or "host," tzava can also refer to an organized multitude, a company, or even those arrayed for service. In this context, it signifies that the Israelites left Egypt not as a disorganized rabble, but as an organized body, perhaps even structured by clans or families, under divine direction. This orderly departure is a testament to God's meticulous planning and control over the events of the Exodus, as seen also in Exodus 12:51.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God chooses and empowers individuals for His specific purposes. Just as He called Moses and Aaron for the monumental task of leading Israel out of slavery, He continues to call and equip people today for various roles in His kingdom. It underscores the importance of recognizing and submitting to divine authority, understanding that true leadership in God's work flows from His commission. The orderly nature of the Exodus also teaches us that God's plans are often executed with precision and order, even amidst challenging circumstances, encouraging us to trust in His sovereign orchestration.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 12:51

    And it came to pass the selfsame day, [that] the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

  • Exodus 7:4

    But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, [and] my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

  • Exodus 12:17

    And ye shall observe [the feast of] unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

  • Exodus 6:13

    And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

  • Numbers 33:1

    ¶ These [are] the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.

  • Exodus 20:2

    I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

  • Psalms 99:6

    ¶ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
← Back