Exodus 24:13 kjv
And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.
Exodus 24:13 nkjv
So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.
Exodus 24:13 niv
Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.
Exodus 24:13 esv
So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.
Exodus 24:13 nlt
So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God.
Exodus 24 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:1 | The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people... to the land I will show you." | God's call to leaders to ascend/journey by faith. |
| Exod 3:1 | Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. | Mount Sinai identified as "the mountain of God." |
| Exod 19:3 | Then Moses went up to God... and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you are to say to the house of Jacob..." | Previous ascent of Moses to the mountain for revelation. |
| Exod 32:17 | When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, "There is a noise of war in the camp." | Joshua as Moses' companion, even when the rest are below. |
| Exod 33:11 | The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as anyone speaks to their friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. | Joshua's dedication and constant presence with Moses at the tent. |
| Num 11:28 | Then Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!" | Confirms Joshua's long-standing role as Moses' assistant. |
| Deut 3:28 | But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will give them the land as an inheritance. | Divine mandate for Joshua's future leadership. |
| Deut 31:7-8 | Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous... the LORD himself goes before you..." | Moses commissioning Joshua as his successor. |
| 1 Sam 3:1-10 | ...the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli... And the LORD called Samuel... "Here I am." | Example of an attendant/servant being called into service. |
| 1 Kgs 19:19-21 | So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat... and Elisha arose and followed Elijah and became his servant. | Elisha serving Elijah, paralleling Joshua serving Moses. |
| Ps 24:3-4 | Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart... | Condition for ascending God's holy presence. |
| Isa 2:2-3 | In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established... all nations will stream to it... and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD..." | Future vision of God's presence as a magnetic mountain. |
| Jer 31:33 | "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts..." | Echoes the receiving of the law, but now written internally. |
| Matt 1:21 | "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." | Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua (Yeshua), both meaning "The LORD saves." |
| Matt 17:1 | After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. | Jesus taking specific disciples up a mountain (Transfiguration). |
| Jn 13:16 | "Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." | Teaches principles of servanthood for those who follow leaders. |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem... to the ends of the earth. | Disciples called to carry on a mission after a leader departs. |
| Acts 4:12 | "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." | Underscores the significance of the name Jesus/Joshua as Savior. |
| Heb 4:14-16 | Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. | Christ as the greater High Priest ascending to God's presence. |
| Heb 8:6 | But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant he mediates is better... | Jesus as a better mediator, foreshadowed by Moses. |
| Heb 10:19-22 | Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near with a sincere heart... | Believers can now access God's presence directly through Christ. |
| Heb 12:18-24 | For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm... But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God... | Contrast between physical Sinai (Exodus) and heavenly Zion (NT access). |
Exodus 24 verses
Exodus 24 13 Meaning
Exodus 24:13 details Moses' preparatory actions following the covenant ratification at Sinai, specifically his ascent up "the mountain of God." It highlights that he did not go alone but was accompanied by his devoted aide, Joshua. This verse marks the immediate prelude to Moses' 40-day, 40-night stay on the mountain where he would receive the tables of the law and divine patterns for the Tabernacle. It signifies a transition from a general covenant ceremony to a period of intense divine revelation and leadership preparation.
Exodus 24 13 Context
Exodus 24:13 takes place immediately after the covenant ceremony where Israel verbally assented to God's laws (Exod 24:1-11). Moses had just recounted the Lord's words and wrote them down, offered sacrifices, and sprinkled blood on the people and the book, symbolizing their commitment to the covenant. This verse describes the next phase: Moses, joined by Joshua, goes deeper into the sacred space on Mount Sinai to receive further divine instruction. This ascent signifies a departure from the communal covenant ratification below and a progression towards a more intimate encounter with God, essential for the governance and spiritual formation of the nascent nation. Historically, the setting is Mount Sinai, also called Horeb, which God had designated as the place for revealing His covenant and law to Moses, following the Israelites' liberation from Egypt.
Exodus 24 13 Word analysis
So Moses rose (וַיָּ֤קָם מֹשֶׁה - vayyaqam Mosheh):
- וַיָּ֤קָם (vayyaqam): A common Hebrew verb meaning "and he rose" or "stood up." Here it conveys immediate action and readiness. It implies intentionality and prompt obedience to a divine directive, highlighting Moses' response to God's ongoing call for deeper encounter.
- מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh): Moses, the appointed leader, prophet, and mediator of the covenant. His role is central to Israel's relationship with God, unique in his direct communication with the Almighty. He represents the human agent chosen by God to lead His people.
with his assistant (וִיהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ מְשָׁרְת֔וֹ - viY'hoshu‘a meshareto):
- וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ (viY'hoshu‘a): Joshua. His name, Yehoshua, means "The LORD is salvation" or "The LORD saves." This name is significant as it is the same root as Yeshua, from which "Jesus" derives in Greek. Joshua is introduced here as more than just a follower; he is Moses' dedicated "assistant."
- מְשָׁרְת֔וֹ (meshareto): "His assistant" or "his minister/servant." This term describes someone who attends closely to another, especially in service to a person of authority, often in a position of training or succession. It implies a trusted and dedicated role, reflecting not just a subordinate but a trainee being prepared for future leadership (as seen in Deut 3:28). Joshua's presence signifies an apprentice leadership, receiving training through observation and proximity to divine revelation.
and Moses went up (וַיַּ֥עַל מֹשֶׁ֖ה - vayya‘al Mosheh):
- וַיַּ֥עַל (vayya‘al): "And he went up" or "ascended." This emphasizes the physical act of climbing the mountain but also symbolically represents an elevation towards a deeper spiritual plane, into the direct presence of God. It's an ascent into the sacred space for divine communion and reception of revelation.
on the mountain of God (אֶל־הַ֥ר הָאֱלֹהִֽים - ʾel-har haʾelohim):
- הַ֥ר (har): "Mountain." In ancient Near Eastern thought and biblical narrative, mountains are often depicted as places of divine habitation, revelation, and power.
- הָאֱלֹהִֽים (haʾelohim): "Of God" or "of the gods." Here, referring to the one true God, Yahweh. "The mountain of God" specifically designates Mount Sinai (Horeb) as the chosen location for the revelation of God's covenant and law. It signifies the exclusive, sacred space where humanity encounters the divine, emphasizing God's transcendence and sovereignty.
Groupings analysis:
- "Moses rose with his assistant Joshua": This pairing is crucial. It underscores Moses' recognition of the need for an aide and God's apparent plan for Joshua's development. Joshua is not merely accompanying for personal experience but for preparation for future national leadership. This points to the principle of mentorship and spiritual succession in God's kingdom. Moses, the singular mediator for Israel, brings a dedicated witness and future leader into this profound spiritual experience.
- "Moses went up on the mountain of God": The repetition of "Moses went up" from Exod 24:1 ("Then he said to Moses, 'Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron...’") reinforces the specific divine command and Moses' obedient response. His destination is explicit: not just any mountain, but the consecrated "mountain of God," the very place of theophany. This highlights the exclusivity and sacredness of the encounter awaiting him. The journey symbolizes the dedicated pursuit of God's presence and revelation.
Exodus 24 13 Bonus section
The presence of Joshua with Moses on the lower slopes of the mountain (Exod 32:17 indicates he was still with Moses when Moses descended from the forty-day encounter) highlights a significant aspect of divine training. While Moses went higher to receive the law directly, Joshua was kept near, not experiencing the ultimate divine revelation but remaining within the sacred sphere. This signifies different levels of access and preparation for various roles in God's kingdom, yet all are vital for God's purposes. Joshua's constant attendance and closeness to Moses and the 'tent of meeting' (Exod 33:11) showcases his commitment and deep yearning for God's presence, preparing him not only as a military leader but as a spiritual shepherd to guide Israel into the Promised Land, foreshadowing the salvific leadership of Jesus (Yeshua).
Exodus 24 13 Commentary
Exodus 24:13 serves as a pivotal transition, setting the stage for one of the most significant periods of divine revelation in Israel's history. Moses, having officiated the covenant ratification, now responds to God's summons to ascend the sacred Mount Sinai. His rising and going up signify active obedience and dedication to a deeper communion with God. The notable detail is the accompaniment of Joshua. Joshua's role as "assistant" (Hebrew: mesharet) denotes a faithful and dedicated servant, not merely a companion but one being intentionally discipled for future leadership. This relationship exemplifies the divine principle of mentorship and succession planning, ensuring continuity of leadership in God's redemptive plan. The "mountain of God" is more than just a geographical location; it is the consecrated sphere of God's direct presence, where laws are etched into stone and patterns for worship are unveiled. It underscores that receiving divine truth often requires a spiritual ascent and separation, taking one into an intimate encounter with the Lord.