Exodus 24:14 kjv

And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.

Exodus 24:14 nkjv

And he said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them."

Exodus 24:14 niv

He said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them."

Exodus 24:14 esv

And he said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them."

Exodus 24:14 nlt

Moses told the elders, "Stay here and wait for us until we come back. Aaron and Hur are here with you. If anyone has a dispute while I am gone, consult with them."

Exodus 24 verses

Exodus 24 14 Meaning

Exodus 24:14 records Moses' clear instructions to the seventy elders to remain at the base of Mount Sinai during his extended ascent with Joshua. He delegates immediate judicial authority and dispute resolution to Aaron and Hur, ensuring that the community continues to have a structure for justice and governance during his absence. This verse underscores the necessity of orderly leadership and the continuity of justice even when the primary leader is separated for divine purposes.

Exodus 24 14 Context

Exodus 24 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's covenant relationship with God at Mount Sinai. Immediately preceding verse 14, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders ascended a portion of the mountain to behold God and participate in a covenant meal, confirming their agreement to God's law (Exo 24:9-11). After this awe-inspiring experience, Moses is called to ascend further to receive the stone tablets inscribed with the law (Exo 24:12-13). Exodus 24:14, therefore, serves as Moses' transitional instruction to the community leaders, preparing them for his prolonged absence as he goes deeper into God's presence. This action demonstrates Moses' prudent leadership, establishing clear lines of authority and ensuring continuity of governance and justice within the Israelite camp during a critical period of anticipation and waiting.

Exodus 24 14 Word analysis

• And he said: Refers to Moses, the appointed leader and mediator of the covenant. This marks the issuance of an official command.
• to the elders: These are the seventy elders who had just been with Moses, seeing God (Exo 24:9-11). They represent the collective leadership and people of Israel.
• Wait here: Hebrew: יָשַׁב (yashav) - to sit, dwell, remain. Here, it implies to remain in place, patiently, indicating an act of sustained waiting and responsibility.
• for us: Referring to Moses and Joshua (who goes with Moses according to Exo 24:13). The 'us' implies their return as a joint party, potentially signifying the ongoing partnership in leadership.
• until we return to you: This provides a specific duration for their wait and an expectation of Moses' reappearance. It reinforces the temporary nature of his absence and the delegated authority.
• Behold: Hebrew: הִנֵּה (hinneh) - an interjection drawing attention, equivalent to "look!" or "pay attention!" It highlights the importance of the following statement regarding Aaron and Hur.
• Aaron and Hur are with you: Identifies the specific individuals delegated authority. Aaron is Moses' brother and the designated High Priest (Exo 28), possessing inherent authority. Hur's presence with Aaron is significant; he was previously instrumental in supporting Moses during the battle against Amalek (Exo 17:10-12), showing his reliability and trust. Their being "with you" signifies their accessibility to the community.
• whoever has a dispute: Hebrew: דָּבָר (davar) - "word, matter, thing." In legal contexts, it refers to a "case" or "legal matter." This indicates that any question or controversy arising in the community—be it legal, civil, or administrative—is to be brought before the delegated leaders.
• let him go to them: This directs the people to the designated authorities for resolution, establishing a judicial procedure. It implies seeking counsel, judgment, or arbitration for any problem that needs an official ruling.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he said to the elders, 'Wait here for us until we return to you.'": This phrase sets up the duration and scope of Moses' absence. It highlights Moses' structured leadership, entrusting a known group (the elders) with temporary custodianship of the camp and indicating a clear endpoint to his departure. This prevents chaos by outlining the immediate chain of command and expectations for their return.
• "Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you;": This explicitly names the empowered individuals. The placement of "Behold" emphasizes their presence and role as accessible and legitimate figures of authority during Moses' ascent. It points to a carefully chosen delegation, leveraging existing relationships and proven loyalty.
• "whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.": This clarifies the precise function of Aaron and Hur's delegated authority: managing disputes and ensuring justice. It emphasizes the critical need for an accessible judicial system within the community, preventing anarchy and maintaining order under the covenant law.

Exodus 24 14 Bonus section

The choice of Aaron and Hur specifically highlights not just individual leadership, but a complementary leadership, where the spiritual (Aaron, the high priest-to-be) and the practical/supportive (Hur, the one who held up Moses' hands) functions are combined for holistic governance. This reflects a divine principle that multiple types of leadership are needed for a well-functioning community. Furthermore, this incident indirectly serves as a test for the people's reliance on delegated authority; their failure in the Golden Calf incident (Exo 32) indicates a spiritual immaturity and impatience in their waiting, revealing their weakness when the visible leader is absent, despite clear instructions. This period was meant to teach trust and patient waiting on God through His appointed intermediaries.

Exodus 24 14 Commentary

Exodus 24:14 serves as a vital transition point, revealing Moses' commitment to maintaining order and justice in the Israelite camp during his intimate communion with God on Sinai. Following the covenant ratification and a shared meal in God's presence, Moses prepares to ascend for an extended period to receive the Ten Commandments. Understanding that the people would require guidance and governance in his absence, he strategically delegates authority.

The instruction for the seventy elders to "wait here" underscores their interim responsibility and the anticipation of Moses' return. They are not left entirely to themselves but are part of a divinely ordered leadership structure. The explicit designation of Aaron and Hur as arbiters for "whoever has a dispute" is crucial. Aaron, as Moses' brother and soon-to-be High Priest, already held a significant position. Hur, known for supporting Moses' arms during the battle with Amalek, represents reliability and steadfastness. Their combined presence ensures a strong, trusted, and accessible duo to administer immediate justice and maintain communal order, covering any 'matter' (davar) that might arise.

This delegation not only addresses immediate practical needs but also establishes a significant precedent for judicial and communal structures within Israel, echoing principles later elaborated through Jethro's advice in Exodus 18. It showcases God's provision for leadership even in the leader's temporary absence, reflecting His care for the smooth functioning of His covenant people. Spiritually, it prefigures the Ascension of Christ, where He, our great Mediator, departed physically but delegated authority to His church and provided the Holy Spirit for guidance and truth until His promised return (John 14-16, Acts 1). This verse illustrates God's ongoing pattern of leadership through appointed individuals, ensuring the continuation of justice and spiritual oversight within His community.

For example, this verse illustrates that in the absence of a primary leader, established and trusted secondary leaders (like Aaron and Hur, or elders/pastors in the church) are essential for maintaining order and addressing concerns.