Exodus 3:16
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.

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.

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.

Majority 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.

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.

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 Version
Go, 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;

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 Bible
Go, 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 Bible
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 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 1917
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 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



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
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. ...

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.”

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.

Exodus 6:6-8
Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. / I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. / And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD!’”

Exodus 12:40-41
Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. / At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 26:5-9
and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous. / But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor. / 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. ...

Acts 3:13
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him.

Acts 7:35-36
This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. / He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.

Hebrews 11:24-27
By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. ...

Genesis 15:13-14
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.

Genesis 46:1-4
So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. / And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. / “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ...

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.

Exodus 19:3-6
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel: / ‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. / Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. ...

Psalm 105:26-27
He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen. / They performed His miraculous signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

John 8:58
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”


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.

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Exodus 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, and assemble the elders of Israel
The directive "Go, and assemble the elders of Israel" signifies a divine command to Moses to gather the leaders of the Israelite community. The Hebrew word for "elders" is "זְקֵנִים" (zeqenim), which refers to the respected and wise leaders within the community. Historically, these elders were the heads of families or tribes, and they played a crucial role in decision-making and maintaining the traditions of the people. This command underscores the importance of leadership and collective wisdom in the journey of faith and liberation.

and say to them
The phrase "and say to them" indicates the importance of communication and the transmission of God's message. Moses is not acting on his own authority but as a messenger of God. This highlights the prophetic role Moses is to play, serving as a conduit for divine revelation. The act of speaking to the elders also emphasizes the need for clear and direct communication in leadership and spiritual guidance.

The LORD, the God of your fathers
Here, "The LORD, the God of your fathers" establishes the continuity of God's covenant relationship with the Israelites. The Hebrew name for God used here is "YHWH," often rendered as "LORD" in English translations, signifying the eternal and self-existent nature of God. By referring to "the God of your fathers," the text connects the present generation with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—reinforcing the faithfulness of God to His promises and the enduring nature of His covenant.

the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
This phrase reiterates the specific patriarchal lineage through which God's promises and blessings have been transmitted. Each of these patriarchs had a unique covenantal relationship with God, and their mention here serves to remind the Israelites of their heritage and the divine promises made to their ancestors. It is a call to remember the past acts of God and to trust in His continued faithfulness.

has appeared to me
The statement "has appeared to me" is a declaration of divine encounter and revelation. The Hebrew verb "נִרְאָה" (nir'ah) implies a visible manifestation of God, which in the context of Moses, refers to the burning bush experience. This appearance is not just a personal experience for Moses but a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, marking the beginning of their deliverance from Egypt.

I have watched over you
The phrase "I have watched over you" conveys God's attentive care and providence. The Hebrew root "פָּקַד" (paqad) can mean to attend to, visit, or care for. This assurance of divine oversight is meant to comfort the Israelites, affirming that God has been aware of their suffering and is actively involved in their deliverance. It is a reminder of God's omniscience and His compassionate involvement in the lives of His people.

and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt
This concluding phrase, "and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt," emphasizes God's awareness of the Israelites' oppression. The Hebrew verb "רָאָה" (ra'ah) means to see or perceive, indicating that God is not distant or indifferent to their plight. This acknowledgment of their suffering serves as a prelude to the promise of deliverance, assuring the Israelites that their cries have been heard and that God is about to act on their behalf.

(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."

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


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OT Law: Exodus 3:16 Go and gather the elders of Israel (Exo. Ex)
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