Exodus 7:6

KJV

And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175} did {H6213} as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} them, so did {H6213} they.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe and Aharon did exactly what ADONAI ordered them to do.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them.

American Standard Version

And Moses and Aaron did so; as Jehovah commanded them, so did they.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 7:6 succinctly records the unwavering and precise obedience of Moses and Aaron to the divine directives, marking a pivotal moment just before the onset of the ten plagues. Their immediate and complete compliance underscores their profound faith in God's sovereign authority and sets the indispensable foundation for the unfolding of His mighty acts of deliverance against Egypt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point in the narrative of the [Book of Exodus](/exodus "The Book of Exodus"), specifically bridging the initial confrontations with Pharaoh and the dramatic commencement of the plagues. Following their commission at the [burning bush](/exodus/3 "The Burning Bush and Moses' Commission"), Moses and Aaron have navigated their own hesitations and Pharaoh's initial resistance, culminating in the performance of the sign of Aaron's rod becoming a serpent before the Egyptian court in [Exodus 7:8-13](/exodus/7-8-13 "Aaron's Staff Becomes a Serpent"). Their obedience here in [Exodus 7:6](/exodus/7-6 "Moses and Aaron's Obedience") confirms their readiness and God's absolute control, preparing the reader for the escalating divine judgments that will follow, beginning with the transformation of the Nile into blood in [Exodus 7:14-25](/exodus/7-14-25 "The First Plague: Water Turned to Blood").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society where Pharaoh was revered as a divine king, a living god, and the embodiment of the nation's strength and prosperity. The confrontation between Yahweh and Pharaoh was not merely political but a cosmic battle between the one true God and the pantheon of Egyptian deities, embodied by Pharaoh himself. The plagues, therefore, were direct assaults on specific Egyptian gods and their domains, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy. Moses and Aaron, as representatives of Yahweh, were challenging the very foundation of Egyptian religious and political power. Their obedience, as described in this verse, was an act of profound faith and courage in a context where disobedience to Pharaoh could mean immediate death.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 7:6](/exodus/7-6 "Moses and Aaron's Obedience") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Exodus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, as God's commands are executed without question, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all earthly powers, including the might of Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. It also highlights the theme of **Obedience as a Prerequisite for Divine Action**, showing that God works through faithful human instruments. Moses and Aaron's compliance is foundational for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for Israel, which is a central theme of **Deliverance and Redemption**. Their actions in this verse embody the principle that true faith is demonstrated through active and immediate submission to God's revealed will, paving the way for the [Exodus itself](/exodus/12-51 "The Exodus of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **did (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root signifies to "do or make" in the broadest sense, encompassing actions, accomplishments, and the execution of tasks. Here, it emphasizes the active and complete performance of God's instructions by Moses and Aaron, indicating not just an intention but a full enactment of the divine will.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal One." Its use here underscores that the commands issued to Moses and Aaron came from the ultimate, sovereign authority, the God who is, who was, and who is to come.
* **commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** This root means to "constitute" or "enjoin," implying a directive that is authoritative and binding. It denotes a clear, specific instruction given with the expectation of full compliance, highlighting the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of the orders given to Moses and Aaron.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses and Aaron did":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the agents of action, Moses and Aaron, who are now fully aligned with God's purpose. The verb "did" (Hebrew: _ʻâsâh'_) signifies not merely an intention but a complete and active performance of the task at hand, demonstrating their commitment following previous hesitations.
* **"as the LORD commanded them":** This crucial clause provides the standard and source of their action. Their doing was not arbitrary or self-initiated but was precisely in accordance with the directives given by Yahweh, the sovereign God of Israel. It emphasizes the divine origin and authority behind their mission.
* **"so did they":** This concluding phrase serves as a powerful affirmation and rhetorical reinforcement of the preceding statement. The repetition of "did" (Hebrew: _ʻâsâh'_) highlights the exactness, completeness, and immediate nature of their obedience. It underscores that their actions perfectly mirrored God's commands, without deviation, delay, or compromise, thereby validating their role as faithful intermediaries.

#### Literary Devices
The concise declaration in [Exodus 7:6](/exodus/7-6 "Moses and Aaron's Obedience") employs several effective literary devices to amplify its message. Most prominent is **Repetition** and **Parallelism**, particularly in the structure "did as the LORD commanded them, so did they." The reiteration of the verb "did" (`ʻâsâh'`) creates a powerful sense of **Emphasis**, underscoring the absolute and unreserved nature of Moses and Aaron's obedience. This emphasis is not mere redundancy but a rhetorical strategy to highlight the perfect alignment between divine command and human action. The verse also utilizes **Conciseness**, delivering a profound theological statement with remarkable brevity, making the act of obedience stand out as a definitive and foundational event. This succinctness contributes to the verse's declarative force, firmly establishing the faithfulness of God's servants before the ensuing dramatic events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Exodus 7:6](/exodus/7-6 "Moses and Aaron's Obedience") encapsulates a foundational theological principle: the necessity and efficacy of obedience to divine command. It asserts God's absolute **Sovereignty** and the requirement for His chosen instruments to align perfectly with His will. This verse establishes a pattern seen throughout biblical history, where God's mighty acts are often predicated upon the faithful response of His people. The unreserved compliance of Moses and Aaron is not just a historical note but a theological statement about the nature of a true relationship with God—one characterized by trust, submission, and active participation in His redemptive purposes. Their obedience here is the critical pivot upon which the entire narrative of the plagues and the deliverance of Israel turns, demonstrating that God empowers those who faithfully obey.

* [Deuteronomy 5:32](/deuteronomy/5-32 "Walk in All the Ways the LORD Has Commanded")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For contemporary believers, [Exodus 7:6](/exodus/7-6 "The Obedience of Moses and Aaron") serves as a timeless paradigm for discipleship. Just as Moses and Aaron's unreserved obedience was the conduit through which God's power flowed to liberate Israel, our willing submission to God's revealed will is essential for His purposes to be realized in and through our lives. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to active, immediate, and complete compliance with divine commands, even when the path is unclear or requires significant personal sacrifice. It encourages a deep trust in God's wisdom and sovereign plan, reminding us that true faith is demonstrated not only by what we believe but by how we obey. In a world that often prioritizes personal autonomy, this passage calls us to embrace a radical obedience that reflects our love for and reliance upon our Creator, knowing that such obedience is the fertile ground for God's transformative work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling for more immediate and complete obedience?**
* **How does your understanding of God's sovereignty impact your willingness to obey His commands, even when they seem difficult or counter-cultural?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a deeper posture of obedience and trust in the Lord?**

### FAQ
**Why is Moses and Aaron's obedience so explicitly stated in this verse?**

Answer: The explicit statement in [Exodus 7:6](/exodus/7-6 "Moses and Aaron's Obedience") serves to underscore the completeness and exactness of their compliance. It highlights that their actions were a direct and faithful execution of God's will, without deviation or hesitation. This emphasis reinforces God's absolute authority and establishes the reliability of His chosen servants, setting the stage for the powerful demonstrations of His sovereignty that follow. It assures the reader that the ensuing plagues are not random events but divinely orchestrated judgments carried out through obedient human instruments.

**Does the phrase "so did they" imply a lack of free will on the part of Moses and Aaron?**

Answer: No, the phrase "so did they" does not imply a lack of free will, but rather emphasizes their willing and faithful submission to God's command. After initial hesitations and arguments recounted in earlier chapters (e.g., [Exodus 3:11-13](/exodus/3-11-13 "Moses' Objections at the Burning Bush") and [Exodus 4:1-17](/exodus/4-1-17 "God Equips Moses")), this concise declaration signifies their full commitment and trust in God's wisdom and power. It demonstrates that their will had become perfectly aligned with God's, not through coercion, but through a profound and active choice to obey, a choice that enabled God's redemptive plan to unfold.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The perfect obedience of Moses and Aaron in [Exodus 7:6](/exodus/7-6 "Moses and Aaron's Obedience") serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. While Moses and Aaron were faithful servants who, through their compliance, facilitated the first great Exodus from physical bondage in Egypt, Christ, as the eternal Son of God, perfectly fulfilled all the Father's commands, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). His flawless obedience, unlike any human obedience, was not merely a means to an end but the very essence of His redemptive work, securing the ultimate and eternal Exodus from the bondage of sin and death for all who believe ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Obedience of One Makes Many Righteous")). Jesus declared, "[My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do God's Will")," embodying the very principle of perfect obedience that Moses and Aaron imperfectly prefigured. Through Christ's singular act of obedience, God's redemptive plan is accomplished in its fullest and final sense, offering true freedom and new life to humanity ([Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8-9 "Christ Learned Obedience and Became the Source of Eternal Salvation")).

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 7:2

Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.

Genesis 6:22

¶ Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Exodus 7:10

And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

Exodus 39:43

And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

Exodus 12:28

And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

Exodus 40:16

¶ Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.

Psalms 119:4

¶ Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently.