Exodus 4 31

Exodus 4:31 kjv

And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Exodus 4:31 nkjv

So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Exodus 4:31 niv

and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

Exodus 4:31 esv

And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Exodus 4:31 nlt

Then the people of Israel were convinced that the LORD had sent Moses and Aaron. When they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 4 31 Meaning

Exodus 4:31 details the immediate and faithful response of the children of Israel upon hearing the words delivered by Moses and Aaron, and witnessing the accompanying signs. It signifies their initial belief that Yahweh, the Lord, had indeed taken notice of their long-standing suffering and had initiated His promised intervention for their deliverance. This understanding moved them to an immediate and profound act of worship, demonstrating their acceptance of Moses' divine commission and their humble submission to God's will.

Exodus 4 31 Context

This verse marks a pivotal moment at the conclusion of Moses and Aaron's initial presentation to the elders of Israel. The preceding verses (Exod 4:29-30) describe Moses and Aaron gathering the elders, communicating Yahweh's message of liberation, and Aaron performing the signs Moses had been given by God (staff turning into a serpent, hand becoming leprous). The narrative builds towards this climax where the people are faced with direct evidence of God's involvement. Historically, the Israelites had endured centuries of brutal slavery under Egyptian pharaohs. They had been crying out to God, and though generations had passed, God had heard their cries and remembered His covenant. This initial act of belief and worship is a fragile but hopeful beginning to their journey out of bondage, affirming that the message delivered by Moses and Aaron was indeed from their covenant God, Yahweh, who was active on their behalf.

Exodus 4 31 Word analysis

• And the people believed (וַיַּאֲמֵן vayya'amen): The verb 'aman (אָמַן) signifies not mere intellectual assent, but firm trust, confidence, and faithfulness. It implies relying upon and holding true to what was declared and demonstrated. Their belief was active trust in God's word conveyed by Moses.
• and when they heard (כִּשְׁמָעָם kishm'a'am): Highlights the crucial role of verbal revelation and preaching. Faith originated from hearing God's word as delivered by His messengers, reinforced by visible signs.
• that the Lord (יְהוָה YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, eternal, and redemptive relationship with Israel. It emphasizes that it was their own God who was acting.
• had visited (פָּקַד paqad): This Hebrew verb implies more than just dropping by. It signifies active attention, supervision, intervention, often with the nuance of either help (as here) or judgment. It indicates God's purposeful and effective intervention into human affairs on behalf of His covenant people. It links directly to His promise to "surely visit you" (Gen 50:24-25, Exod 3:16).
• the children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל b'nei Yisra'el): The specific recipients of God's action, reaffirming their identity as His chosen nation, heirs to the promises given to their fathers.
• and that he had looked upon (וְכִ֥י רָאָ֖ה v'chi ra'ah): The verb ra'ah (רָאָה) means "to see" or "to perceive." In this context, it implies a compassionate and understanding gaze, recognizing their deep suffering and affliction (similar to Exod 2:25, 3:7).
• their affliction (אֶת־ עָנְיָֽם 'et-'onyam): From 'oni (עֳנִי), meaning misery, oppression, distress, or suffering. This refers to their forced labor, harsh treatment, and general plight under Egyptian slavery. God's compassionate seeing acknowledges their concrete experience of suffering.
• then they bowed their heads (וַיִּקְּדוּ רֹאשׁ vayyiqedu rosh): Qadad (קָדַד) means to bend or bow down low. This is a physical act of reverence, submission, humility, and acknowledging the superiority of the one to whom one bows. It indicates their deep awe and submission before the divine message.
• and worshiped (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ vayyishtahawu): The verb shachah (שָׁחָה) means to prostrate oneself, to do obeisance, to bow in worship. This is the definitive act of homage and adoration to God, signifying recognition of His sovereignty and majesty.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited...": This phrase highlights the sequence of faith: hearing God's authenticated word leads to belief. The knowledge that God had intervened and had seen their pain was the catalyst for their belief. It underscores God's initiative in approaching His people.
• "...bowed their heads and worshiped.": This combined phrase denotes a complete physical and spiritual posture of devotion. The bowing (humble submission) leads to and is perfected in worship (adoration of God). It's a spontaneous and proper response to the manifestation of God's care and power. It's a profound acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and their position before Him.

Exodus 4 31 Bonus Section

• The instant and unified response of "the people" contrasts sharply with Moses' earlier reluctance and doubts (Exod 3-4), emphasizing that God's power to convince transcends human weakness.
• This verse encapsulates a crucial pattern in biblical theology: Divine revelation (hearing God's word) coupled with authentication (signs and wonders) leads to human faith, which naturally culminates in worship. This is a recurring motif from the Old Testament to the New.
• The "visit" (פָּקַד) of God here is redemptive, a foreshadowing of the ultimate visitations of God in Christ Jesus for the redemption of all humanity (Lk 1:68).
• While the people believed and worshiped here, it is important to note that their faith would soon be tested and would waver during the subsequent trials in the wilderness, illustrating the dynamic and often fragile nature of faith, requiring continued dependence on God.

Exodus 4 31 Commentary

Exodus 4:31 presents a foundational moment in the Israelite exodus narrative: the people's initial acceptance of God's intervention. This verse synthesizes the essence of God's initiative, Moses' mediatorial role, and the appropriate human response. The "belief" was not abstract but was rooted in concrete evidence – the words of God's chosen prophet and the undeniable "signs" (Exod 4:30). Their faith was ignited by the profound revelation that Yahweh had not forgotten them but had "visited" them, signifying His active, redemptive presence, and "looked upon their affliction" with compassionate awareness. This direct knowledge of God's care, affirmed by power, provoked a spontaneous and deep act of worship. "Bowing their heads" expresses humility and reverence before divine authority, while "worshipped" signifies their complete adoration and surrender to Yahweh as their sovereign deliverer. This immediate response stands as an early testament to God's power to reveal Himself and draw His people to Himself, setting the stage for the dramatic events of the Exodus that would follow. It emphasizes that genuine faith, born from hearing God's word and seeing His work, culminates in true worship.