Exodus 24:1 kjv

And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.

Exodus 24:1 nkjv

Now He said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar.

Exodus 24:1 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance,

Exodus 24:1 esv

Then he said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar.

Exodus 24:1 nlt

Then the LORD instructed Moses: "Come up here to me, and bring along Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel's elders. All of you must worship from a distance.

Exodus 24 verses

Exodus 24 1 Meaning

Exodus 24:1 records a specific divine instruction from God to Moses after the delivery of the covenant law. It is an invitation to approach the divine presence on Mount Sinai for a formal covenant ratification, but with carefully delineated levels of access. Moses is permitted the closest proximity, while Aaron, his sons Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders are granted an intermediate position to "worship from afar," signifying God's holiness and the structured order of access to His presence. This verse sets the stage for the ceremonial sealing of the covenant between God and Israel.

Exodus 24 1 Context

(h2)ContextExodus 24:1 follows the delivery of the Ten Commandments (Ex 20) and the detailed Covenant Code (Ex 21-23), which specifies Israel's civil and ceremonial laws. These chapters establish God's expectations for His people as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. Immediately prior to this verse, the people have declared their intention to obey all that the Lord has spoken (Ex 24:3, following Ex 19:8). The specific instructions in Exodus 24:1 thus prepare for the formal ratification of the Mosaic Covenant, marking a pivotal moment where the legal framework of God's relationship with Israel is about to be solemnly sealed through ritual and a shared meal in the divine presence. Historically, this setting is at the base of Mount Sinai, a sacred place where God had manifested His glory.

(h2)Word analysis

• Then He said: This phrase establishes the divine initiative. "He" refers directly to YHWH (the Lord), reinforcing that this is a command from God Himself. The word "Then" (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyōmer) signals a continuation in the narrative sequence after the giving of the laws.
• to Moses: Moses is the primary recipient and the designated mediator. This highlights his unique role in direct communication with God on behalf of Israel.
• "Come up": The Hebrew verb ‘alēh (עֲלֵה), means "ascend" or "go up." It signifies physical elevation towards the sacred mountain where God's presence is manifested, emphasizing the holiness and transcendence of the Lord.
• "to the Lord": "Lord" here is the divine covenant name YHWH (יהוה). This name signifies God's personal relationship with Israel, His faithfulness, and His active presence among His people. The instruction to "come up to the Lord" is an invitation to enter into a closer dimension of His presence than the general population.
• "you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu,":
  • "you": Refers to Moses, emphasizing his leading position in the group, distinguishing his access level from the others.
  • "Aaron": Moses' brother, the designated high priest. His inclusion highlights the nascent priesthood's role in mediation and sacred worship.
  • "Nadab and Abihu": Aaron's eldest sons. Their inclusion prefigures their role in the Aaronic priesthood, yet also serves as a poignant reminder when their future disobedience leads to their judgment for violating God's holiness (Lev 10:1-2). Their presence here is a call to legitimate, careful approach.
• "and seventy of the elders of Israel,":
  • "seventy": A significant number in the ancient world, often representing a complete or representative body (e.g., Ex 1:5, Lk 10:1, later the Sanhedrin). These elders represent the entire community of Israel, chosen to bear witness to the covenant ratification. They are key leaders of the tribes.
  • "of the elders of Israel": These are the spiritual and civil leaders who functioned as judges and spokesmen for their respective clans and tribes. Their participation gives corporate assent to the covenant.
• "and worship": The Hebrew verb hishtaḥawîtem (הִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם) literally means "to prostrate yourselves" or "to bow down." It denotes an act of humble reverence, adoration, and submission before God, signifying acknowledging His supreme authority and holiness.
• "from afar.": The Hebrew phrase mērāḥōq (מֵרָחֹק) means "from a distance." This crucial command establishes clear boundaries. While invited to come up the mountain, only Moses approaches God intimately; the others, even the revered priestly figures and elders, must maintain a respectful distance. This reinforces God's utter holiness and the limited, structured access allowed under the old covenant. It continues the principle of the "cordon" established in Ex 19.

(h2)CommentaryExodus 24:1 provides specific divine instruction for the covenant ratification ceremony. It underscores God's absolute holiness and the carefully tiered access to His presence. Moses is called into intimate communion, acting as the primary mediator, while a select group of priestly leaders (Aaron, Nadab, Abihu) and representative tribal elders (seventy) are permitted a secondary level of access, tasked with reverential "worship from afar." This carefully guarded approach maintains the transcendence of God, highlighting the danger of presumptuous or irreverent proximity. This scene serves as a foreshadowing, preparing Israel to understand the deeper principles of divine presence, mediation, and holiness that would be central to the Tabernacle and Temple worship. Ultimately, it also sets the stage for the New Covenant where, through Christ's mediation, believers are granted direct, confident access to God's presence, though still with reverence, without needing to "worship from afar" as Israel did at Sinai.

(h2)Bonus sectionThis passage is rich with theological depth. The graded access to God's presence prefigures the Tabernacle's design with its Outer Court, Holy Place, and Most Holy Place, progressively restricting access to illustrate God's increasing holiness. The seventy elders who ascend foreshadow the future Sanhedrin and the idea of representative leadership receiving divine impartation. Their eventual experience in Ex 24:9-11, where they "saw the God of Israel" and ate in His presence without perishing, is an extraordinary act of grace under the Old Covenant, showcasing God's willingness to allow His chosen representatives a glimpse of His glory within specific boundaries. This event anticipates the New Covenant reality where, through Christ's shed blood, all believers are granted bold access to God’s throne of grace, drawing near not with terror, but with confident worship, becoming a "royal priesthood."