New International Version “Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. New Living Translation “Now go and call together all the elders of Israel. Tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me. He told me, “I have been watching closely, and I see how the Egyptians are treating you. English Standard Version Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible Go and gather together the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘YHWH, the God of your⁺ fathers, has appeared to me—the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob—saying: I have surely attended to you⁺ and what is being done to you⁺ in Egypt. King James Bible 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: New King James Version Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; New American Standard Bible Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. NASB 1995 “Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. NASB 1977 “Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. Legacy Standard Bible Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I indeed care about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. Amplified Bible Go, gather the elders (tribal leaders) of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. Berean Annotated Bible Go, assemble the elders of Israel (he wrestles with God) and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of your⁺ fathers—the God of Abraham (father of many), Isaac (he laughs), and Jacob (he grasps the heel)—has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you⁺ and have seen what has been done to you⁺ in Egypt (land of bondage). Christian Standard Bible “Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. Holman Christian Standard Bible Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. American Standard Version 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: Contemporary English Version Call together the leaders of Israel and tell them that the God who was worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared to you. Tell them I have seen how terribly they are being treated in Egypt, English Revised Version Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD, 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: GOD'S WORD® Translation "Go, assemble the leaders of Israel. Say to them, 'The LORD God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, appeared to me. He said, "I have paid close attention to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. Good News Translation Go and gather the leaders of Israel together and tell them that I, the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, appeared to you. Tell them that I have come to them and have seen what the Egyptians are doing to them. International Standard Version "Go and gather the elders of Israel. Tell them, 'The LORD God of your ancestors, appeared to me—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and he said, "I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. NET Bible "Go and bring together the elders of Israel and tell them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, appeared to me--the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--saying, "I have attended carefully to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt, New Heart English Bible Go, and gather the elders of the children of Israel together, and tell them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt; Webster's Bible Translation Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleGo, 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. World English Bible Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionGo, and you have gathered the elderly of Israel, and have said to them: YHWH, God of your fathers, has appeared to me, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, I have certainly inspected you, and that which is done to you in Egypt; Berean Literal Bible Go and gather together the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘YHWH, the God of your⁺ fathers, has appeared to me—the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob—saying: I have surely attended to you⁺ and what is being done to you⁺ in Egypt. Young's Literal Translation 'Go, and thou hast gathered the elders of Israel, and hast said unto them: Jehovah, God of your fathers, hath appeareth unto me, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, I have certainly inspected you, and that which is done to you in Egypt; Smith's Literal Translation Come, and gather together the old men of Israel, and say to them, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, was seen to me, the God of Abraham, Isaak and Jacob, saying, Reviewing, I reviewed you and what was done to you in Egypt. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleGo, gather together the ancients of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared to me, saying: Visiting I have visited you: and I have seen all that hath befallen you in Egypt. Catholic Public Domain Version Go and gather together the elders of Israel, and you shall say to them: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying: When visiting, I have visited you, and I have seen all that has befallen you in Egypt. New American Bible Go and gather the elders of the Israelites, and tell them, The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have observed you and what is being done to you in Egypt; New Revised Standard Version Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying: I have given heed to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleGo and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, I have surely remembered you and seen that which is done to you in Egypt; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Go gather the Elders of the children of Israel and say to them: ‘LORD JEHOVAH the God of your fathers was revealed to me, the God of Abraham and of Ishaq and of Yaquuv, saying, “Remembering, I have remembered you and whatever was done to you in Egypt OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them: The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath appeared unto me, saying: I have surely remembered you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt. Brenton Septuagint Translation Go then and gather the elders of the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, The Lord God of our fathers has appeared to me, the God of Abraam, and God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, saying, I have surely looked upon you, and upon all the things which have happened to you in Egypt. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Moses at the Burning Bush…15God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. 16Go, 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. 17And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’… Cross References Go, assemble the elders of Israel Exodus 4:29-31 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites, / and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, / and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped. Deuteronomy 31:28 Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. Numbers 11:16-17 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. / And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself. and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— Exodus 4:5 “This is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.” Acts 7:32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Matthew 22:32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” has appeared to me and said: Genesis 17:1-3 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless. / I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” / Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, Genesis 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. Acts 7:2-3 And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’ I have surely attended to you Genesis 50:24-25 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” / And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” Luke 1:68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. Ruth 1:6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had attended to His people by providing them with food, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave the land of Moab. and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. Nehemiah 9:9 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea. Deuteronomy 26:7-8 So we called out to the LORD, the God of our fathers; and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, toil, and oppression. / Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders. Exodus 2:23-25 After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God. / So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. / God saw the Israelites and took notice. Acts 7:30-34 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. / When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight. As he approached to look more closely, the voice of the Lord came to him: / ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. … Treasury of Scripture Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: elders. Exodus 4:29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: Exodus 18:12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God. Exodus 24:11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. visited. Exodus 2:25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. Exodus 4:31 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. Exodus 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. Jump to Previous Abraham Appeared Assemble Concerned Egypt Elders Fathers Gather Indeed Isaac Israel Jacob Surely Together VisitedJump to Next Abraham Appeared Assemble Concerned Egypt Elders Fathers Gather Indeed Isaac Israel Jacob Surely Together VisitedExodus 3 1. Moses keeps Jethro's flock.2. God appears to him in a burning bush. 9. He sends him to deliver Israel. 13. The name of God. 15. His message to Israel, and Pharaoh, whose opposition is foretold. 20. He is assured of Israel's deliverance. Go, assemble the elders of Israel Moses was to begin with Israel’s recognized leaders, who represented the tribes and helped guide the people. Their involvement would establish the message publicly and prepare the nation to respond together. Exo 4:29-31 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders… and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— God identified Himself as the covenant God known to Israel’s patriarchs. The promised deliverance from Egypt rested on the same commitments He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning their descendants and the land He would give them. Exo 4:5 This is so that they may believe that the LORD,… has appeared to me and said: Moses spoke as God’s appointed messenger. His encounter with the LORD confirmed that the coming deliverance was initiated by God, not by Moses or the elders. Gen 17:1-3 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared… I have surely attended to you God had not forgotten His people during their long bondage. He had observed their condition and was acting according to His covenant purpose. Gen 50:24-25 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die,… and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. The LORD fully knew the oppression Israel had endured under Egypt’s rule. Their suffering would lead to His judgment on Egypt and His deliverance of Israel from slavery. Neh 9:9 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt;… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He is instructed to gather the elders of Israel. 2. Elders of Israel The leaders and representatives of the Israelite community. Moses is to communicate God's message to them. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The God of the Israelites, who identifies Himself as the God of their ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 4. Egypt The place of Israel's bondage and suffering, where they are enslaved under Pharaoh's rule. 5. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob This title emphasizes God's covenant relationship with the patriarchs and His faithfulness to His promises. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesGod identifies Himself as the God of the patriarchs, reminding the Israelites of His longstanding covenant and faithfulness. The Importance of Leadership and Community Moses is instructed to gather the elders, emphasizing the role of leadership and community in God's plan. God's Awareness and Compassion God has seen the suffering of His people, showing His compassion and readiness to act on their behalf. The Call to Obedience Moses is given a clear directive, illustrating the importance of obedience to God's commands in fulfilling His purposes. The Continuity of God's Plan The reference to the patriarchs connects the current situation to God's overarching plan, encouraging trust in His timing and methods. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 3:16?2. How does Exodus 3:16 demonstrate God's concern for His people's suffering? 3. What role do the elders play in God's plan in Exodus 3:16? 4. How does Exodus 3:16 connect to God's covenant with Abraham? 5. How can we recognize and respond to God's call in our lives today? 6. What steps can we take to ensure we listen to God's instructions like Moses? 7. What is the significance of God appearing to Moses in Exodus 3:16? 8. How does Exodus 3:16 demonstrate God's covenant with the Israelites? 9. Why does God instruct Moses to gather the elders in Exodus 3:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 3? (16) The elders of Israel.--Not so much the old men generally, as the rulers--those who bore authority over the rest--men of considerable age, no doubt, for the most part. Rosenmller reasonably concludes from this direction that the Hebrews, even during the oppression, enjoyed some kind of internal organisation and native government (Schol, in Exod. p. 58). I have surely visited.--Heb., Visiting, I have visited. (Comp. Genesis 1:24.) Verse 16. - Gather the elders. It is generally thought that we are to understand by "the elders" not so much the more aged men, as these who bore a certain official rank and position among their brethren, the heads of the various houses (Exodus 6:14, 25; 11:21), who exercised a certain authority even during the worst times of the oppression. Moses was first to prevail, on them to acknowledge his mission, and was then to go with them to Pharaoh and make his representation (ver. 18). I have surely visited you. The words are a repetition of those used by Joseph on his deathbed (Genesis 50:24), and may be taken to mean, "I have done as Joseph prophesied - I have made his words good thus far. Expect, therefore, the completion of what he promised." Exodus 3:16 reveals a God who commands action, honors structure, speaks with covenant authority, personally appears, attentively cares, and thoroughly knows His people’s suffering. Moses is to move, gather, speak, and reassure Israel that the same Lord who pledged Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is now stepping into their present crisis. The verse is a bridge between promise and deliverance, assuring believers that God remembers, sees, and acts—then and now.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Go,לֵ֣ךְ (lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk assemble וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֞ (wə·’ā·sap̄·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove the elders זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê) Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 2205: Old of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc and say וְאָמַרְתָּ֤ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to them, אֲלֵהֶם֙ (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘The LORD, יְהוָ֞ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel the God אֱלֹהֵ֤י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of your fathers, אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ (’ă·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 1: Father the God אֱלֹהֵ֧י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of Abraham, אַבְרָהָ֛ם (’aḇ·rā·hām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation Isaac, יִצְחָ֥ק (yiṣ·ḥāq) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah and Jacob, וְיַעֲקֹ֖ב (wə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc has appeared נִרְאָ֣ה (nir·’āh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see to me אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to and said: לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say I have surely פָּקֹ֤ד (pā·qōḏ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit attended פָּקַ֙דְתִּי֙ (pā·qaḏ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit to you וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case and [have seen] what has been done הֶעָשׂ֥וּי (he·‘ā·śui) Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make to you לָכֶ֖ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 0: 0 in Egypt. בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃ (bə·miṣ·rā·yim) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa Additonal Resources Exodus 3:16 Blue Letter BibleExodus 3:16 Bible Gateway Exodus 3:16 Bible.com Exodus 3:16 NIV |
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