Exodus 24:4 kjv

And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 24:4 nkjv

And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 24:4 niv

Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 24:4 esv

And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 24:4 nlt

Then Moses carefully wrote down all the LORD's instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 24 verses

Exodus 24 4 Meaning

Exodus 24:4 describes Moses' immediate and diligent actions to formalize the covenant between God and Israel. He first records all the divine decrees received from the LORD, ensuring the written preservation of the covenant terms. Then, demonstrating earnestness, he rises early to construct an altar for sacrificial worship at the base of Mount Sinai and erects twelve stone pillars, each specifically representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. These preparatory acts lay the foundational elements for the solemn ratification ceremony that binds the entire nation to God's covenant.

Exodus 24 4 Context

Exodus 24:4 occurs immediately following the detailed pronouncements of the "Book of the Covenant" (Ex 20:22-23:33), which contains the expanded laws and stipulations deriving from the Ten Commandments. It precedes the dramatic covenant ratification ceremony in verses 5-8, where animal sacrifices are offered, and the blood is used to seal the covenant between God and the Israelites. Historically, this event at Mount Sinai represents the foundational moment in Israel's history when they were formally constituted as a nation bound by a unique covenant with Yahweh, establishing their legal, religious, and national identity distinct from all other peoples. The actions in this verse are crucial steps in moving from revelation to ratification, solidifying God's word and establishing a visible space for worship and national representation.

Exodus 24 4 Word analysis

• And Moses wrote (וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב, wayyiḵ·tōḇ): "And he wrote." This indicates an act of formal recording, giving permanence and authority to God's instructions. It establishes the principle of a written divine revelation, foundational for scripture.
• all the words (כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֣י, kōl-diḇ·rê): "All the words" or "every word." Emphasizes the comprehensiveness and integrity of the divine revelation received by Moses, referring specifically to the "Book of the Covenant."
• of the LORD (יְהוָ֑ה, YHWH): Signifies that the source of these words is the sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, affirming their supreme authority and binding nature.
• and rose up early in the morning (וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֣ם בַּבֹּ֑קֶר, wayyaš·kêm ba·bō·qer): A common biblical idiom that signifies diligence, eagerness, and commitment to action, particularly in spiritual or weighty matters. It portrays Moses' earnestness and readiness for the sacred tasks.
• and built an altar (וַיִּ֥בֶן מִזְבֵּ֖חַ, wayyiḇen miz·bê·aḥ): "And he built an altar." An altar is a sacred structure for offering sacrifices, serving as a focal point for worship and interaction with God. Its construction is preparation for atonement and covenant ratification through blood. Polemic: Unlike the elaborate cultic sites or high places dedicated to various gods in surrounding cultures, this altar adheres to Yahweh's prior instructions (Ex 20:24-26) for a simple altar for pure worship.
• under the hill (תַּ֙חַת הָהָ֜ר, ta·ḥat hā·hār): "Under/at the foot of the mountain." Refers to Mount Sinai (also called Horeb), grounding the divine revelation and covenant ratification ceremony in a specific, tangible, and highly sacred location, accessible to the whole congregation.
• and twelve pillars (שְׁתֵּ֣י עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה מַצֵּבָ֔ה, šətê ‘eśrê maṣṣeḇāh): "Twelve standing stones/pillars." Matzevah typically refers to a standing stone or memorial. Here, distinct from condemned pagan pillars, they represent each tribe as participants and witnesses to the covenant.
• according to the twelve tribes of Israel (לְשִׁבְטֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל, ləšiḇṭê yiśrā’êl): Explicitly clarifies the purpose of the pillars, symbolizing the unity and collective representation of the entire nation of Israel in their covenant commitment before God.

Words-group analysis:

• Moses' Preparatory Actions ("wrote," "rose early," "built"): These verbs emphasize Moses' active role as a mediator between God and Israel. His promptness and meticulousness demonstrate his obedience and the immense importance of the tasks at hand for the divine covenant.
• Foundational Elements ("all the words of the LORD," "an altar," "twelve pillars"): These represent the core components for covenant formalization. The written word signifies the terms; the altar signifies reconciliation and commitment through sacrifice; the pillars signify the presence and unity of the covenant parties (Israel).
• Contextual Setting ("under the hill," "according to the twelve tribes"): This establishes the precise location and scope of the covenant, confirming it is for the entire Israelite nation at the sacred mountain of God's revelation, underscoring its national and historical significance.

Exodus 24 4 Bonus section

The legal dimension of Exodus 24:4 is significant. The writing of "all the words of the LORD" transformed the divine pronouncements into a legally binding document, akin to an ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaty where the great king (Yahweh) established the terms for His vassal people (Israel). This formal recording ensured no ambiguity about the covenant's stipulations and made it a lasting testimony for future generations. The twelve pillars, while having some formal similarities to pagan cultic monoliths (matzevot), are given an explicitly Israelite and covenantal meaning, ensuring they function as a witness and representation of Israel's national identity rather than an object of worship. Their distinct purpose illustrates a subtle polemic, repurposing a familiar Near Eastern stone monument practice for the exclusive worship of Yahweh and to represent His distinct people.

Exodus 24 4 Commentary

Exodus 24:4 encapsulates the foundational steps taken by Moses to concretize and formalize the Mosaic covenant following God's initial revelation at Sinai. Moses' act of writing down "all the words of the LORD"—the comprehensive "Book of the Covenant"—is critical, establishing divine revelation as a tangible, authoritative, and unchanging standard for Israel. This preserved word contrasts with transient oral traditions, asserting God's meticulous and precise communication with humanity. The phrase "rose up early in the morning" denotes the urgency and solemnity Moses afforded these sacred duties, reflecting an eagerness to fulfill God's will. The construction of the altar and the erection of twelve pillars are acts of deliberate preparation for the covenant ratification ceremony. The altar signifies the necessity of sacrifice and atonement in drawing near to God, while the twelve pillars—representing each tribe—physically embody the unified nation of Israel. They stand as collective witnesses, signifying the full and corporate acceptance of the covenant by all the descendants of Jacob. Together, these elements prepare the stage for a unique and binding agreement between the holy God and His chosen people, set apart through the precise stipulations of His written word and sacred, unifying rituals.