Exodus 24:1
And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
Original Language Analysis
עֲלֵ֣ה
Come up
H5927
עֲלֵ֣ה
Come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
4 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
יְהוָ֗ה
unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Numbers 11:16And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.Exodus 6:23And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.Exodus 19:24And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.Exodus 28:1And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Historical Context
The seventy elders (likely tribal and family heads) represent Israel in covenant ratification. Their witnessing role legally validates the covenant. Nadab and Abihu were Aaron's oldest sons, presumptive heirs to high priesthood.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the graded access (Moses, Aaron/sons, elders, people) teach about holiness levels in the Old Covenant?
- How does the New Covenant change access to God while maintaining the need for reverence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
Covenant ratification begins with graded access: Moses, Aaron and sons (Nadab, Abihu), seventy elders—but all worship 'afar off' (מֵרָחֹק, merachok). Only Moses will approach closer (v. 2). The seventy elders represent the nation in covenant witnessing. Nadab and Abihu's later rebellion (Leviticus 10) shows proximity to God doesn't guarantee godliness. The elders see God's glory (v. 10) yet maintain distance—awe and access coexist. The New Covenant removes distance—we approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), but reverence remains.