Exodus 6:26 kjv
These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.
Exodus 6:26 nkjv
These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies."
Exodus 6:26 niv
It was this Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Bring the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions."
Exodus 6:26 esv
These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said: "Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts."
Exodus 6:26 nlt
The Aaron and Moses named in this list are the same ones to whom the LORD said, "Lead the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt like an army."
Exodus 6 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 3:10 | "Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” | Moses' original divine commission |
| Ex 4:14 | "Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well... and he will be your spokesman to the people." | Aaron's role as Moses' spokesman/assistant established |
| Ex 6:11 | "Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country." | Yahweh's direct command reiterated before genealogy |
| Ex 6:13 | "But the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them orders for the Israelites and for Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the Israelites out." | Reinforcement of Moses and Aaron's joint commission |
| Ex 6:16 | "These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations..." | Genealogies leading to Aaron and Moses |
| Ex 7:1 | "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet." | God empowering Moses and Aaron against Pharaoh |
| Ex 7:4 | "...and I will bring My hosts, My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments." | God calls Israel "My hosts" when leading them out |
| Ex 12:51 | "On that very day, the LORD brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions." | Direct fulfillment, reiterating "by their divisions" |
| Ex 13:18 | "But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt." | Confirms organized, not panicked, departure |
| Num 1:3 | "from twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall number them by their divisions." | Organization of Israel into divisions/armies in wilderness |
| Num 2:34 | "Thus the children of Israel did, according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they encamped by their standards..." | Orderly arrangement of tribes |
| Deut 4:34 | "Or has God tried to go and take for Himself a nation from within another nation, by trials... and by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm?" | Remembers God's powerful leading out of Egypt |
| Ps 77:20 | "You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." | Divine leadership through Moses and Aaron |
| Ps 105:26 | "He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron whom He had chosen." | Emphasizes God's choosing of Moses and Aaron |
| Isa 63:11 | "Then He remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying: 'Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock?'" | Recalling God's deliverance through Moses |
| Neh 9:10 | "And performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants, and against all the people of his land..." | Recounting God's work for their freedom |
| Acts 7:35 | "This Moses whom they refused... God sent as a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush." | Stephen's sermon affirming Moses' divine sending |
| Acts 7:36 | "He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years." | Affirmation of Moses' leadership in the Exodus and wilderness |
| Heb 3:2 | "who was faithful to Him who appointed him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house." | Moses' faithfulness as a divinely appointed leader |
| Rev 15:3 | "They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb..." | Acknowledgment of Moses' pivotal role in deliverance, linked to Lamb |
Exodus 6 verses
Exodus 6 26 Meaning
Exodus 6:26 serves as a definitive re-identification and authentication of Moses and Aaron, concluding the extensive genealogy in Exodus 6:14-25. It emphasizes their divine appointment by Yahweh to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. The verse underscores that the colossal task of delivering a vast enslaved population would be an organized, divinely orchestrated exodus, rather than a chaotic escape, portraying Israel as a structured "host" or "army" under God's command.
Exodus 6 26 Context
Exodus 6:26 marks a crucial return to the main narrative after an extensive genealogy in 6:14-25, which traced the lineage of Moses and Aaron, specifically emphasizing their Levite and Kohathite heritage. This seemingly interruption provides vital context and authority, confirming the precise identities and qualifications of the individuals whom God has chosen for the monumental task of delivering Israel. The preceding verses (Ex 6:10-12) detail God's command to Moses, Moses' hesitation, and God's renewed instruction to both Moses and Aaron. Verse 26, therefore, acts as a reaffirmation of their direct commission from Yahweh, signaling a re-launch of the narrative with emphasis on their designated roles as divinely empowered agents for the Exodus. It clarifies to the original audience that these individuals, whose ancestry has just been meticulously presented, are indeed the appointed leaders.
Exodus 6 26 Word analysis
- These: (Heb. הֵם, hem) - Refers directly to Moses and Aaron, solidifying their identities as detailed in the preceding genealogy. It highlights the divine hand picking specific individuals, grounding the upcoming narrative in verified lineage and divine ordination.
- are the same Aaron and Moses: The emphasis on "the same" highlights continuity and underscores that the genealogy was not an interruption but a necessary identification. It emphasizes their joint, indispensable role. Aaron is consistently mentioned alongside Moses, underscoring their complementary leadership as established by God.
- to whom: Indicates direct and personal communication from the divine, highlighting their chosen status.
- the LORD: (Heb. יְהוָה, YHWH, the sacred personal name of God, translated as "Yahweh") - Specifies the divine authority behind the command. It's not a generic deity but the covenant God of Israel who is issuing the command and empowering them. This name itself points to God's self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and active presence in history.
- said: (Heb. אָמַר, amar) - Denotes a direct, authoritative verbal command from God. This emphasizes the divine initiative and not merely human volition in the upcoming Exodus.
- 'Bring the Israelites out: (Heb. הוֹצִיאוּ, hotzi'u) - The direct imperative from Yahweh. This is the central command and mission statement for Moses and Aaron. It signifies liberation from oppression, foundational to Israel's identity. The verb hotzi'u is in the causative plural, meaning "cause to come out," reinforcing their agency under divine direction.
- of Egypt: The specific location of bondage, highlighting the monumental nature of the deliverance.
- by their divisions:' (Heb. בְּצִבְאֹתָם, b'tziv'otam - from tsava or tzaba) - This is a highly significant phrase.
- Tsava often refers to an "army," "host," "company," or "organized body."
- This term transforms the understanding of Israel's departure from a disorganized flight of slaves into an orderly, military-like procession or march.
- It presents Israel, even while enslaved, as "God's hosts" (Ex 7:4), implying they are already structured and mobilized under His supreme command, a striking counterpoint to their current state of servitude.
- This also carries a polemical weight: Pharaoh thought he controlled his slaves, but God brings them out as an army, not as a desperate rabble.
- It foreshadows Israel's organized encampment and journey in the wilderness (Num 1:3) and emphasizes God's perfect order and power even in liberation.
Exodus 6 26 Bonus section
The term tzava (host/division) used in Ex 6:26 has deep resonance throughout the Bible.
- Theological Implications: It connects to "the LORD of hosts" (YHWH Sebaoth), emphasizing God's sovereignty over celestial and earthly armies, and His people as His disciplined troops.
- Contrast to Slavery: For the original audience, Israel as "God's divisions" sharply contrasted with their demeaning status as Egyptian slaves. It immediately elevated their identity to God's mobilized force, serving a divine purpose rather than a pharaonic one.
- Foreshadowing: It anticipates the detailed organization of Israel's tribes around the Tabernacle in the wilderness, marching "by their divisions" (Num 2:34), maintaining order and hierarchy, reflecting God's nature.
- Literary Placement: Its placement here, after the lineage, stresses that this particular Moses and this particular Aaron are the ones entrusted with commanding God's orderly exodus, leaving no doubt about their authority and the nature of the event.
Exodus 6 26 Commentary
Exodus 6:26 functions as a pivotal interpretive statement within the larger Exodus narrative. Following the genealogical section that authenticated Moses and Aaron, this verse unequivocally asserts their divine mandate. The seemingly simple declarative statement packs profound theological meaning: these chosen men are not acting on their own initiative but as direct emissaries of the omnipotent Yahweh. The detail "by their divisions" is exceptionally significant. It transcends the common perception of a desperate slave revolt or flight. Instead, it frames the Exodus as an organized, disciplined, and formidable departure, as if an army is marching out. This divine organization reflects God's meticulous planning, His control over chaotic situations, and His intention to mold Israel into His distinct "host" or "people," ready to serve Him. This specific framing foreshadows Israel's future identity as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, meticulously organized under God's law. It's a reminder that even when things seem impossible, God’s chosen agents, following His specific commands, will achieve the divinely ordained outcome with order and power.