Exodus 4 29

Exodus 4:29 kjv

And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:

Exodus 4:29 nkjv

Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel.

Exodus 4:29 niv

Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites,

Exodus 4:29 esv

Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel.

Exodus 4:29 nlt

Then Moses and Aaron returned to Egypt and called all the elders of Israel together.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 29 Meaning

Exodus 4:29 records the immediate and obedient action of Moses and Aaron following their divine commissioning and their meeting in the wilderness. Having received God's words and been empowered with signs, they proceeded directly to gather together the recognized leadership of the Israelite community, the elders. This verse marks the beginning of their active ministry, establishing their unity in purpose and their initial strategy of approaching the representative heads of the "children of Israel" to convey the Lord's message of deliverance.

Exodus 4 29 Context

Exodus 4:29 is situated immediately after God's comprehensive commissioning of Moses, and Moses' reunion with his brother Aaron. Throughout Exodus chapters 3 and 4, Moses receives his call, expresses doubts, is empowered with signs to convince the Israelites and Pharaoh, and is granted Aaron as his eloquent spokesman. God explicitly commanded Moses in Exodus 3:16 to "Go and gather the elders of Israel" and deliver the message. Therefore, this verse marks the faithful execution of God's direct instruction. Historically, "elders" (ziqneni) were well-established figures of authority and representation within the tribal structure of ancient Israel. They were the natural and traditional leaders of their respective clans and families. By first approaching these elders, Moses and Aaron were operating within the established societal framework, ensuring that the divine message and subsequent actions would be communicated and legitimized through the recognized channels of the Israelite community, laying the foundation for national mobilization and unified response.

Exodus 4 29 Word analysis

• Then (וילך vayyēlek): This is the waw-consecutive construction, typical in biblical narrative, indicating a sequential action. It emphasizes the immediate and direct response of Moses and Aaron to God's instructions given in the preceding verses. It signifies action flowing directly from divine command.

• Moses (מֹשֶׁה Mōšeh): The divinely chosen leader and prophet for Israel's deliverance, now accompanied by his designated partner.

• and Aaron (וְאַהֲרֹן wə’Ahărōn): Moses' older brother, specifically appointed by God (Exod 4:14-16) to be Moses' spokesman. His presence signifies their unified and complementary leadership roles.

• went (וילך vayyēlek): Already part of the vayyēlek (then went) at the beginning, underscoring physical movement towards their task.

• and gathered (וַיַּאַסְפוּ wayya’aspû): From the Hebrew root אסף (’āsap), meaning "to gather, collect, assemble." This word denotes an active, deliberate bringing together of individuals for a specific purpose. It directly fulfills God's command in Exod 3:16.

• together: Implied in the action of wayya’aspû, emphasizing that the elders were assembled in one place.

• all (כָּל kāl): This modifier stresses comprehensiveness. Not just some, or a few, but "all" the elders were gathered, indicating the broad and unified consent God sought for His plan among the leadership. It suggests the significance and universality of the message.

• the elders (זִקְנֵי ziqnênê): From the Hebrew term זָקֵן (zāqēn), meaning "elder" or "old man," denoting not merely age, but authority, wisdom, and experience. They were the recognized heads and representatives of the tribal and familial units within Israel, acting as judges, advisors, and decision-makers for the community.

• of the children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל bənê Yiśrā’ēl): Literally "sons of Israel." This phrase identifies the specific group whom these elders represent – the descendants of Jacob (Israel), God's covenant people. It reinforces the national and divinely purposed scope of Moses and Aaron's mission.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered": This phrase highlights the crucial joint action and immediate obedience of the two brothers to God's specific instructions. It marks the commencement of their active, public ministry, moving from preparation and personal encounter with God to the practical implementation of His plan. Their united front also demonstrated their divine authorization to those they would meet.
  • "all the elders of the children of Israel": This phrase identifies the specific target audience and key representatives for their message. By gathering "all" the recognized leaders, Moses and Aaron ensured that the message of deliverance would be officially received by the authoritative body of the entire Israelite community. This act underscores the importance of legitimate, structured leadership in God's unfolding plan for His people.

Exodus 4 29 Bonus section

• This verse exemplifies Moses and Aaron's crucial first act of obedience after their extensive commissioning by God. Their journey from the wilderness back to Egypt (mentioned just before this verse) culminates in this direct engagement with the leadership, fulfilling a precise divine instruction.
• The emphasis on "all" the elders underscores God's desire for a corporate, national response, prepared through the official representatives. This foreshadows the unity required for the exodus itself and for Israel's covenant relationship at Sinai.
• The selection of elders as the first point of contact also indicates a divine strategy of operating within established social and administrative hierarchies. God chose to authenticate His messengers through those whom the people already recognized and respected as leaders.
• This specific action lays the groundwork for Aaron's address and the performance of the signs mentioned in the very next verse (Exod 4:30), where these signs would serve to confirm Moses' divine appointment before the eyes of the gathered leaders and, by extension, the whole nation.

Exodus 4 29 Commentary

Exodus 4:29 is a foundational verse, signifying the beginning of the end of Israel's enslavement. It marks the transition from God's speaking to Moses in private to Moses and Aaron's public obedience and leadership. Their immediate response to "go and gather" the elders, as explicitly commanded by God (Exod 3:16), demonstrates faith and a crucial step towards implementing the divine will. The choice to convene "all the elders" was strategic and divinely ordained, appealing to the established and respected authority structure within Israelite society. This approach ensured the message of deliverance would be communicated through legitimate channels, securing broad representative consensus and paving the way for the eventual unified national response. This gathering was not just for dissemination of information but to secure the commitment of Israel's leaders for the momentous journey ahead. It lays bare the principle that God often works through His chosen human instruments, utilizing existing social structures to accomplish His mighty redemptive purposes for His people.