Exodus 24:5 kjv

And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

Exodus 24:5 nkjv

Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD.

Exodus 24:5 niv

Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD.

Exodus 24:5 esv

And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD.

Exodus 24:5 nlt

Then he sent some of the young Israelite men to present burnt offerings and to sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the LORD.

Exodus 24 verses

Exodus 24 5 Meaning

Exodus 24:5 describes Moses dispatching select young men from the children of Israel to offer two specific types of sacrifices: burnt offerings (olah) and peace offerings (shelem), using oxen as the sacrificial animals, all directed exclusively to the Lord. This act is a crucial part of the solemn covenant ratification ceremony between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai, signifying Israel's acceptance of God's terms and the establishment of a formal relationship through propitiation and fellowship.

Exodus 24 5 Context

Exodus chapter 24 details the formal ratification of the Mosaic Covenant. Following the giving of the Ten Commandments and the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 20:1-23:33), Moses conveys God's words to the people (Exo 24:3). Their unanimous affirmation, "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do" (Exo 24:3, 7), leads to the ceremonial sealing described in verses 4-8. Verse 5 is an integral part of this sealing ceremony, directly preceding the sprinkling of the covenant blood upon the people and the altar. Historically, the use of sacrifice and the solemn sharing of blood was a common, powerful means in the ancient Near East to ratify treaties and covenants, often signifying the consequences of breaking the agreement and ensuring allegiance. This particular event establishes the unique covenant between YHWH and Israel as His chosen people, founded on mutual obligation and sanctified by blood.

Exodus 24 5 Word analysis

• And he sent (וַיִּשְׁלַח, vayishlach): "He" refers to Moses. The Hebrew verb shalach implies an authoritative dispatch, indicating Moses acted under divine direction as God's representative to initiate the sacrificial act, thereby making it part of a divinely orchestrated ceremony.
• young men (נַעֲרֵי, na'arei): Plural of na'ar, meaning youth, servant, or boy. At this point, the Levitical priesthood had not yet been formally established and ordained (which occurs in Exo 28-29, Lev 8-10). These young men likely represented the entire congregation or, as some scholars suggest, might have been the firstborn males (Exo 13:2, 12-16) who had a provisional role as priests before the Levites were chosen for that specific function. This emphasizes the immediate and broad participation of the people in the covenant.
• of the children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, b'nei Yisrael): Signifies that the sacrificial acts were carried out by representatives of the entire nation, emphasizing the communal nature of the covenant and the collective involvement of all Israel in its ratification.
• which offered burnt offerings (וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלֹת, vayya'alu 'olot): The verb 'alah means "to ascend" or "to go up." A 'olah (burnt offering) was completely consumed by fire on the altar, its smoke ascending to God, symbolizing total dedication, atonement, and homage. It represents consecration and devotion without reservation.
• and sacrificed peace offerings (וַיִּזְבְּחוּ זְבָחִים שְׁלָמִים, vayyizb'khu zvachim shlamim): The verb zabach means "to slaughter for sacrifice." A shelem (peace offering) was characterized by communion; after parts were offered to God, portions were eaten by the priests and the worshippers, signifying fellowship, well-being, and shalom (peace, wholeness) between God and humanity, and among the people themselves.
• of oxen (בָּקָר, baqar): Large cattle, representing a valuable and significant offering. Oxen required substantial strength to handle and slaughter, further suggesting why "young men" might have been chosen, given their physical capability. This points to the costliness and seriousness of the covenant being made.
• unto the Lord (לַיהוָה, la-YHWH): "The Lord" refers to YHWH, the personal covenant name of God. This specifies the sole recipient of the offerings, underscoring Israel's monotheistic worship and their exclusive allegiance to their God, a clear distinction from the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations.
• "young men of the children of Israel, which offered...": This phrase highlights the nation's direct, though mediated, involvement in establishing the covenant. It underscores a transitional period where a formal, exclusive priesthood had not yet been inaugurated, allowing for this communal representation.
• "offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings": The pairing of these two types of offerings is significant. Burnt offerings focused on propitiation, atonement, and full dedication to God, acknowledging His holiness and demanding a right relationship. Peace offerings emphasized communion, reconciliation, and fellowship with God, allowing the people to "share a meal" with Him in celebration of their relationship. Together, they demonstrate both the expiatory and fellowship aspects essential for covenant establishment.

Exodus 24 5 Bonus section

The act of offering animal sacrifices, especially for covenant ratification, was a known ritual in the ancient Near East. Often, covenants involved "cutting" animals, and parties would "pass between" the divided halves, symbolically invoking the fate of being cut off if the covenant were broken. While Exodus 24:5 does not explicitly describe passing between parts, the solemn act of cutting and sacrificing animals, particularly with blood manipulation (Exo 24:6-8), served a similar binding and imprecatory purpose, sanctifying the agreement between God and Israel. This pre-Levitical use of "young men" as officiants points to the original role of the firstborn in Israel (before their redemption by the Levites), signifying their initial sanctified status and the universal access to priesthood for all firstborns from the deliverance in Egypt. It shows God's intent for a direct, albeit ordered, relationship with His people from the outset.

Exodus 24 5 Commentary

Exodus 24:5 lays the foundation for the covenant's validation at Sinai. By dispatching "young men" to offer costly "oxen" in "burnt offerings" and "peace offerings" "unto the Lord," Moses orchestrated a crucial, divinely sanctioned ceremony. This passage reveals Israel's initial, provisional priestly service before the Levitical establishment, showing communal participation in sacred acts. The burnt offering symbolized complete surrender and atonement, while the peace offering fostered communion and shared well-being between God and His people. This twin sacrifice ratified their solemn promise to obey God's law (Exo 24:3, 7). The careful selection of offerings underscored the gravity of the covenant, the high value placed on relationship with God, and the need for both expiation and fellowship for such a sacred bond. Ultimately, this points forward to the perfect and singular sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the ultimate "burnt offering" (total devotion, Heb 10:5-10) and established a "peace offering" (reconciliation and fellowship) for all who believe, through His shed blood on the cross (Col 1:20).