Exodus 24:10
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּרְא֕וּ
And they saw
H7200
וַיִּרְא֕וּ
And they saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 12
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְתַ֣חַת
H8478
וְתַ֣חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
5 of 12
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
רַגְלָ֗יו
and there was under his feet
H7272
רַגְלָ֗יו
and there was under his feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 12
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂה֙
work
H4639
כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂה֙
work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
7 of 12
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
לִבְנַ֣ת
as it were a paved
H3840
לִבְנַ֣ת
as it were a paved
Strong's:
H3840
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, whiteness, i.e., (by implication) transparency
הַסַּפִּ֔יר
of a sapphire stone
H5601
הַסַּפִּ֔יר
of a sapphire stone
Strong's:
H5601
Word #:
9 of 12
a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire
וּכְעֶ֥צֶם
and as it were the body
H6106
וּכְעֶ֥צֶם
and as it were the body
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
10 of 12
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
Cross References
John 1:18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.Ezekiel 10:1Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.Revelation 4:3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.Exodus 33:23And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.Exodus 33:20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.1 Timothy 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.Genesis 32:30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.Revelation 21:11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;1 John 4:12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.Matthew 17:2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Historical Context
Sapphire (or lapis lazuli) was precious blue stone suggesting heavens. The vision's glory is restrained—they see under His feet, not His face. Exodus 33:20 says 'no one can see My face and live,' yet here elders see God without dying.
Questions for Reflection
- How can the text say 'they saw God' when God is invisible spirit—what did they see?
- Why do they see only 'under His feet'—what does partial revelation teach about God's accommodation to human weakness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
The staggering statement: 'they SAW the God of Israel' (וַיִּרְאוּ אֵת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayir'u et Elohei Yisrael). God is spirit (John 4:24), invisible (1 Timothy 6:16), yet they saw some manifestation—likely the Angel of the LORD, pre-incarnate Christ. What they saw: sapphire pavement under His feet, clear as heaven—dazzling, crystalline beauty. Ezekiel 1:26 describes similar sapphire throne. Revelation 4:3, 6 depicts heavenly throne with jasper, carnelian, sea of glass—echoing this scene. They saw the King's footstool; the King Himself remained veiled. Still, this is unprecedented—seeing God and living (v. 11).