Moses told Aaron all Yahweh’s words with which he had sent him, and all the signs with which he had instructed him. Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words which Yahweh had spoken to Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. The people believed, and when they heard that Yahweh had visited the children of Israel, and that he had seen their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.
Parallel Translations
-
Moses told Aaron all Yahweh’s words with which he had sent him, and all the signs with which he had instructed him.
Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel.
Aaron spoke all the words which Yahweh had spoken to Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.
The people believed, and when they heard that Yahweh had visited the children of Israel, and that he had seen their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.
-
And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him.
And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:
And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.
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.
Show all 3 translations
-
And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD wherewith He had sent him, and all the signs wherewith He had charged him.
And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel.
And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.
And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had remembered the children of Israel, and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
Cross-references (21)
- Exodus 3:18 (v31) They will listen to your voice. You shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the…
- Exodus 3:16 (vv29, 31) Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob,…
- Exodus 2:25 (v31) God saw the children of Israel, and God was concerned about them.
- Exodus 12:27 (v31) that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Yahweh’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he…
- Psalms 106:12-13 (v31) Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel,
Show all 19 cross-references
- Exodus 4:8-9 (vv28, 31) “It will happen, if they will not believe you or listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter…
- Exodus 4:15-16 (v28) You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall…
- Genesis 24:26 (v31) The man bowed his head, and worshiped Yahweh.
- Exodus 3:7 (v31) Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I…
- Luke 8:13 (v31) Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away…
- Exodus 4:16 (v30) He will be your spokesman to the people. It will happen that he will be to you a mouth, and you will be to him as God.
- Exodus 24:1 (v29) He said to Moses, “Come up to Yahweh, you, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship from a distance.
- Exodus 24:11 (v29) He didn’t lay his hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw God, and ate and drank.
- 1 Chronicles 29:20 (v31) Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless Yahweh your God!” All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and bowed down…
- Jonah 3:2 (v28) “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.”
- Matthew 21:29 (v28) He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.
- Genesis 17:3 (v31) Abram fell on his face. God talked with him, saying,
- 2 Chronicles 20:18 (v31) Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping…
- Luke 1:68 (v31) “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people;
19 distinct cross-references across this passage (21 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (19 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v31 So that Moses had now experience of God’s promise…
So that Moses had now experience of God’s promise that he should have good success.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv28–31 Exo 4:28 And Moses told Aaron all the words…
Exo 4:28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him.
Ver. 28. And Moses told Aaron.] So clouds, when full, pour down, and the spouts run, and the eaves shed, and the presses overflow. Aromatical trees sweat out their precious oils: and as ambergris is nothing so sweet in itself as when compounded with other things; so good men are great gainers by communicating with each other.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv29–31 All of them whom they could easily and quickly…
All of them whom they could easily and quickly bring together, or all that were in those parts. Of those elders, see Exo 3:16; 24:1,9; Num 11:16.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv28–30 And Moses and Aaron went,.... Set forward for Egypt:…
And Moses and Aaron went,.... Set forward for Egypt: and being come thither:
gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel; the heads of tribes and families, as many as they could conveniently get together in one place; probably in the metropolis of the kingdom, where Pharaoh's palace was, since we quickly hear of their going in to him.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv28, 30 Moses told Aaron all - Those that are fellow-servants…
Moses told Aaron all - Those that are fellow-servants to God in the same work, should use a mutual freedom, and endeavour, rightly and fully to understand one another.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv30–31 Verse 30. Aaron spake all the words] It is…
Verse 30. Aaron spake all the words] It is likely that Aaron was better acquainted with the Hebrew tongue than his brother, and on this account he became the spokesman. See Clarke on Ex 4:14.
Did the signs] Turned the rod into a serpent, made the hand leprous, and changed the water into blood. See Clarke on Ex 4:6; and "Ex 4:8".
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv30–31 Exo 4:30. Aaron did the signs — By the…
Exo 4:30. Aaron did the signs — By the direction of Moses. Hereby full proof was given to the people of the divine mission of Moses, and their concurrence was gained before he applied to Pharaoh in their behalf.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v29 All the elders - The Israelites retained their own…
All the elders - The Israelites retained their own national organization; their affairs were administered by their own elders, who called a public assembly Exo 4:31 to hear the message brought by Moses and Aaron.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v30 The three signs, prescribed above, in proof of their…
The three signs, prescribed above, in proof of their mission. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v29 Moses and Aaron went--towards Egypt, Zipporah and her sons…
Moses and Aaron went--towards Egypt, Zipporah and her sons having been sent back. (Compare Exo 18:2).
gathered . . . all the elders--Aaron was spokesman, and Moses performed the appointed miracles--through which "the people" (that is, the elders) believed (Kg1 17:24; Jos 3:2) and received the joyful tidings of the errand on which Moses had come with devout thanksgiving. Formerly they had slighted the message and rejected the messenger. Formerly Moses had gone in his own strength; now he goes leaning on God, and strong only through faith in Him who had sent him. Israel also had been taught a useful lesson, and it was good for both that they had been afflicted.
Read full note →
Next: Exodus Chapter 5
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v29 29-31. Gathered… the elders — This points to an…
29-31. Gathered… the elders — This points to an organization of the people under chiefs of their own, and their reverent acceptance of Moses and Aaron shows that they had not forgotten the God and the covenant of their fathers, although their faith was by no means ready for the impending conflict.
Elders — See note on Exo_6:13-19.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv28–31 28. words … signs] the commission and promises of…
28. words … signs] the commission and promises of Exo_3:10-15; and the ‘signs’ of Exo_4:17. There does not seem to be any reference to the part which Aaron is to play as Moses’ spokesman (Exo_4:15-16 J).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv28–30 (28) Who had sent him.—Rather, “which he had laid…
(28) Who had sent him.—Rather, “which he had laid upon him,” τοὺς λόγους κυρίου, οὓς ἀπέστειλεν, LXX.
All the signs, i.e., the three miracles of Exo_4:3-9.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv28–31 Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord.…
Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord. Perfect confidence between the two brothers was absolutely necessary for the success of their enterprise; and Moses wisely, at their very first interview, made Aaron acquainted with the entire series of Divine revelations that had been made to him, keeping nothing back, but communicating to him "all the words of the Lord." Who had sent him. Rather, "which he had laid upon him." (So the LXX, the Vulgate, Knobel, Kalisch, and others.) All the signs. Compare verses 3-9 and verse 23.
Full confidence necessary between fellow-workers.
Read full note →
Moses told Aaron "all the words of the Lord made "a clean breast" to him, kept back none of the counsel of God, so far as he had been made acquainted with it. A kind, a loving, and a prudent course. Half-confidences are valueless; they irritate rather than satisfy. If known to be half-confidences, they offend; if mistaken for full ones, they mislead and conduct to disaster. Those who are to be fellow-workers in any undertaking more especially any great one should have entire confidence each in each, and be wholly unreserved one towards the other. There is good sense and good advice in the motto, "Trust me not at all or all in all."
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv29, 31 Gathered together all the elders.
Exo_4:29-30
Gathered together all the elders.
Read full note →
The first interview of Moses and Aaron with the elders of Israel, and the welcome they received
I. They acted upon the Divine suggestion. All Christian work should be undertaken according to the Divine suggestion, and in harmony with the Divine will. God generally tells men how to work as well as what to do. If we were left to mark out our own methods of toil, we should often involve both ourselves and the enterprise entrusted to us in great danger.
II. They spake according to the Divine dictation. Great workers require to be taught by God. In this consists their safety and success. A man who speaks to the world the messages of God will always be listened to.
III. They succeeded according to Divine intimation. Thus Moses and Aaron awakened--
1. Faith.
2. Hope.
3. Devotion--of Israel.
Moses had previously said that Israel would not believe him. We mistake our missions. We cannot form an estimate of success. If we act and speak according to the instruction of God we must succeed. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
Lessons
1. Declaring of Gods will is suitably united to the assembling of His people.
2. Gods spokesmen made by Him are fittest to declare his mind to His people.
3. The words of Jehovah only, which He hath spoken to His servants, must be given to His assembly.
4. God may give His mind more immediately to one servant than to another (to Moses).
5. Gods stupendous works must be done, as well as His words spoken, to His people.
6. Gods congregation are the first subject to whom His words and works are sent. (G. Hughes, B. D.)
The gathering of the elders
The gathering of the elders of the children of Israel may point to no more than a family and tribal organization which was not known or used by the Egyptians for the purposes of government, but only used among the Israelites themselves for their religious and ritual teaching. But it would be contrary to most oriental experience to suppose so. It has been the custom of most eastern rulers, as of the Turks to-day, to recognize all proper governmental organizations among a subject people. It was even a large part of the wisdom of the politic Romans. The general government, indeed, extends its power to the individual, and is not slow to do so. But it is both convenient to have an opportunity for the respondent superior principle in law to work, and politic to have thus a hold upon the more generous feelings of the subject classes. The heads of the subject, tribe, or people are made responsible for, collection (or at least the payment) of tribute, and for the preservation of a certain law and order, and are the ready subjects of extortion on very slight pretences. On the other hand, their brethren of inferior order take pride in them, and serve them, and through them the general government, with much less driving. A pretty fair example of this in modern times can be seen in the Turkish recognition of the various religious bodies within its domains. Perhaps it is the best of modern illustrations. (Prof. Isaac H. Hall.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v29 MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Exo_4:29-31
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Exo_4:29-31
THE FIRST INTERVIEW OF MOSES AND AARON WITH THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL, AND THE WELCOME THEY RECEIVED
Read full note →
I. They acted upon the Divine suggestion. “And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the Elders of the Children of Israel.” This is what God told them to do. All Christian work should be undertaken according to the Divine suggestion, and in harmony with the Divine will. God generally tells men how to work as well as what to do. If we were left to mark out our own methods of toil, we should often involve both ourselves and the enterprise entrusted to us in great danger.
II. They spake according to the Divine dictation. “And Aaron spake all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses.” In a great mission the sayings of a man are as important as his doings: hence these must be divinely directed Great workers require to be taught by God. In this consists their safety and success. A man who speaks to the world the messages of God will always be listened to.
III. They succeeded according to Divine intimation. “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.” Thus Moses and Aaron awakened the—
(1). Faith;
(2). Hope;
(3). Direction—of Israel. Moses had previously said that Israel would not believe him. We mistake our missions. We cannot form an estimate of success. If we act and speak according to the instruction of God, we must succeed.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Exo_4:29. The declaring of God’s will is suitably united to the assembling of His people.
God’s spokesmen made by Him are the best to declare His mind to His people.
God may unfold His mind more fully to one servant than to another.
Exo_4:30-31. The faith of the people should closely follow upon the word of God ministered, and by His works confirmed.
All professed believers receive not God’s word with the same faith.
God’s gracious visitation of His Church, and providential sight of its afflictions are made known by His servants, and are welcome to them.
The tidings of God’s visiting love and redeeming providence must affect God’s Israel.
Worship is the most suitable return to God for His redemption.
HUMAN AND DIVINE ATTITUDES
I. The attitudes predicated of the people:—
1. Their belief.
2. Their reference.
3. Their devotion.
II. The attitudes predicated of God:—
1. He saw the affliction of Israel.
2. Visited Israel.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v29 3. Moses and Aaron in Egypt
3. Moses and Aaron in Egypt
CHAPTERS 4:29-5:23 Before the Elders and Before Pharaoh
Read full note →
1. Before the elders of Israel (Exo 4:29-31)
2. Before Pharaoh, and his answer (Exo 5:1-4)
3. The increased oppression (Exo 5:5-19)
4. Israel ‘s complaint and Moses’ prayer (Exo 5:20-23)
The people were willing and believed. Notice they believed after the signs were done. Faith was followed by worship. It is almost a constitutional thing with the Jew to see first and then believe. Compare with Joh 20:26-29.
Then the messengers of God appeared before Pharaoh. This must have been in his capital Zoan (Psa 78:43). Jehovah made of Pharaoh seven demands. They are found in Exo 5:1; Exo 7:16; Exo 8:1; Exo 8:20; Exo 9:1; Exo 9:13; Exo 10:3. Satan’s power now becomes more fully manifested. Israel is Jehovah’s people and He must have His chosen ones out of Egypt and fully delivered. The objects of his love and grace must be completely freed from the miserable slavery of sin and Satan. The typical application as to man’s condition as a sinner is so well known that we need not to follow it in detail.
Pharaoh’s attitude is that of defiance, though he spoke the truth when he said, “I know not Jehovah.” The threat of coming judgments is disbelieved. His answer was increased burdens marked by the most awful cruelty. It was Satan’s rage through Pharaoh in anticipation of Jehovah’s intervention in the redemption of His people. As far as Israel is concerned this will yet be repeated during the great tribulation. Then Satan’s wrath will be great, for he knows his time is short and the Lord will deliver the remnant of Israel (Rev 12:12-17). It is the same in the individual experience. Satan will not let his victims go. When sin and the power of the flesh is felt, then comes the conflict and Satan’s rage.
What discouragement for the poor slaves in Egypt ! They had rejoiced in faith and worshipped because Jehovah’s servants had announced deliverance, and now a darker night had settled upon them; but it was only the harbinger of the glad dawn of the redemption. They murmured while Moses, deeply perplexed, turned to the Lord in prayer. Moses was a great man of prayer. He cast his burden upon the Lord.
Arno C. Gaebelein, The Annotated Bible (1913–1922) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v29 in the sight of the people
in the sight of the people
"before the people" or "in the presence of the people"
Read full note →
had observed the Israelites
"saw the Israelites" or "was concerned about the Israelites"
they bowed their heads
Possible meanings are 1) "they bowed their heads in awe" or 2) "they bowed down low in reverence." (See: Symbolic Action)
translationWords
elder
Israel
sign
believe
oppress
bow
worship
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv29, 31 4:29–7:7 In this section, the Lord offered to rescue…
4:29–7:7 In this section, the Lord offered to rescue the Israelites. The people initially gave a favorable response but ultimately faced a crisis of faith.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.