Bible Strands
Exodus 34:31
But Moses called out to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses Aaron and the tribal leaders immediately after his face radiates from God's presence, overcoming their initial fear. This occurs on Mount Sinai right after God renews the covenant and inscribes the stone tablets.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּקְרָא (va.yikra') means "he called out" or "he summoned," indicating a formal public address rather than a private conversation. The noun הַנְּשִׂאִים (ha'ne'sim) translates literally as "the leaders" or "the princes," referring to the appointed heads of the tribes.
The thread — This summoning of tribal leaders to receive direct instruction recurs in Exodus 24:1 when Moses calls Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders to approach. It establishes a pattern of mediated revelation where appointed representatives receive divine commands before the broader congregation.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that divine revelation is transmitted through established authority before reaching the people. It demands immediate obedience to the conveyed commands once the leaders have verified the encounter.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.
Cross-references
- Exodus 3:15 God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
- Exodus 24:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders—and you are to worship at a distance.
- Genesis 45:3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.
- Genesis 45:15 Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.