Exodus 4 27

Exodus 4:27 kjv

And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.

Exodus 4:27 nkjv

And the LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him.

Exodus 4:27 niv

The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him.

Exodus 4:27 esv

The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.

Exodus 4:27 nlt

Now the LORD had said to Aaron, "Go out into the wilderness to meet Moses." So Aaron went and met Moses at the mountain of God, and he embraced him.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 27 Meaning

Exodus 4:27 narrates a divine directive from the LORD to Aaron, instructing him to go into the wilderness to meet his brother Moses. Aaron's immediate obedience to this command results in their significant reunion at the sacred "mountain of God," a reunion sealed with a brotherly kiss. This meeting is divinely ordained, essential for the subsequent deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and signifies the commencement of their collaborative leadership in God's redemptive plan.

Exodus 4 27 Context

Exodus 4:27 occurs at a pivotal moment in the narrative of Moses' call and commissioning. Previously, Moses had expressed deep reluctance and a sense of inadequacy concerning God's command for him to deliver Israel from Egypt (Exo 3:11, 4:1, 4:10). God had answered Moses' concerns with divine signs, promises of presence, and assurance of provision. In verse 14, Moses' persistent excuses regarding his speech led to God's anger and the divine provision of Aaron, Moses' elder brother, to be his spokesman. God now instructs Aaron directly, likely by prophetic inspiration, to go meet Moses. Moses, having set out from Midian, is now making his journey back towards Egypt (Exo 4:18-20), fulfilling God's initial command. The historical context is critical: the Israelites are in oppressive slavery, and God is initiating their redemption. This meeting of the two brothers, Moses and Aaron, at the mountain of God (Horeb/Sinai), which is the place of God's revelation to Moses in the burning bush, solidifies the divinely orchestrated leadership for the impending Exodus. Their unity and the specific meeting location underscore God's meticulous planning and preparation for His covenant people.

Exodus 4 27 Word analysis

• The LORD (יהוה - YHWH/Yahweh): This is the covenant name of God, indicating His personal, self-existent nature, His faithfulness, and His commitment to His covenant people. The use of YHWH emphasizes that this is a direct, authoritative command from the very God who made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and who now remembers His people's plight.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): A simple but powerful verb, indicating a direct utterance from God. It highlights divine initiative and authority; God speaks, and it is to be done.
• to Aaron (אֶל-אַהֲרֹן - el-Aharon): Identifies the specific recipient of God's command. Aaron is a levite, older brother of Moses, and will be appointed as the first High Priest of Israel. God directly involving Aaron emphasizes His forethought and planning for the leadership of Israel. It suggests Aaron possessed a readiness to hear and obey God's voice even before encountering Moses.
• 'Go (לֵךְ - lekh): An imperative command. It signifies divine commission and direction, demanding action and obedience.
• into the wilderness (הַמִּדְבָּרָה - ha-midbara): Refers to a barren, uninhabited region. The wilderness often serves as a place of divine encounter, testing, and revelation in the Bible. For Aaron, it's a journey into the unknown at God's command, mirroring Israel's future journey.
• to meet (לִקְרַאת - likrat): Signifies purpose – Aaron's journey is specifically for an encounter. It suggests an appointed rendezvous, emphasizing God's control over circumstances.
• Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh): The one whom God has chosen to be the primary leader and deliverer of Israel. This meeting solidifies the divine delegation of authority between the two brothers.
• So he went (וַיֵּלֶךְ - vayyelekh): Highlights Aaron's immediate and unhesitating obedience to the divine command, without protest or delay. This contrasts with Moses' previous reluctance.
• and met him (וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁהוּ - vayyiphge'shu-hu): Confirms the fulfillment of God's instruction and the successful rendezvous. The encounter is real and physical.
• at the mountain of God (בְּהַר הָאֱלֹהִים - be-har ha-Elohim): This is the same mountain where God appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Horeb/Sinai). Its designation as "the mountain of God" signifies its sanctity, marking it as a special place for divine revelation and presence. It's the appointed place for this crucial leadership meeting, prefiguring its role in the giving of the Law.
• and kissed him (וַיִּשַּׁק-לוֹ - vayyishak-lo): A common act of greeting, affection, and respect in ancient Near Eastern culture. In this context, it signifies brotherly reunion, mutual acceptance, and probably acknowledgment of their shared, divinely appointed task. It highlights personal warmth in the midst of profound spiritual responsibilities.

Words-group analysis:

• "The LORD said to Aaron, 'Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.'": This entire phrase underscores the divine initiative and providential arrangement. God orchestrates the critical meeting of His chosen leaders. It's not a chance encounter but a meticulously planned divine appointment. This also showcases the dual leadership role of Moses (the deliverer/lawgiver) and Aaron (the spokesman/priest).
• "So he went, and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.": This highlights Aaron's immediate obedience, the successful divine appointment, the sacred setting, and the re-establishment of brotherly ties, essential for their future collaboration in leading the Israelites out of slavery. The meeting at the mountain of God symbolizes the spiritual nature and divine authority of their coming work.

Exodus 4 27 Bonus section

• Theological Foreshadowing: This meeting at the "mountain of God" subtly foreshadows the gathering of the entire nation of Israel at this same mountain in later chapters (Exo 19-20), where they will meet God and receive His Law. The two leaders meeting there first sets the stage for the community's subsequent encounter with the divine presence.
• Parallelism in Calling: Just as Moses was "met" by God at the burning bush on this mountain (Exo 3:1-2), now Aaron is divinely directed to "meet" Moses at the same sacred place. This suggests a pattern of divine appointments and consecrated ground.
• Divine Partnership in Leadership: This verse establishes the leadership dyad of Moses and Aaron. Moses' previous struggle with speech is divinely resolved by the provision of Aaron, emphasizing that God often works through complementary gifts and partnerships in ministry.
• Holistic Calling: The command for Aaron to go out "into the wilderness" speaks to the separation and testing that often precedes significant ministry. It is a place of preparation and purification, where one must rely solely on God.

Exodus 4 27 Commentary

Exodus 4:27 provides a brief yet potent account of God's perfect orchestration in preparing Moses and Aaron for their monumental task. It highlights several key truths: divine initiative, prompt obedience, providential encounter, and the foundational role of personal relationships in sacred assignments. God, the LORD, personally directs Aaron to the very place where He first commissioned Moses, underscoring the sacredness of the upcoming mission. Aaron's immediate obedience stands as a stark contrast to Moses' initial reluctance, emphasizing faith and readiness. The physical meeting, crowned with a kiss, seals their brotherhood and mutual acceptance of roles, a crucial unity without which the Exodus mission would have faltered. This seemingly simple verse is a testament to God's sovereignty over circumstances, relationships, and even geographical locations to bring about His redemptive purposes. It showcases how God empowers and connects His servants for His grand plans, even allowing for human connection amidst divine calling.