Exodus 24:14
And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁבוּ
Tarry
H3427
שְׁבוּ
Tarry
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַ֥ד
H5704
עַ֥ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
7 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָשׁ֖וּב
for us until we come again
H7725
נָשׁ֖וּב
for us until we come again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְחוּר֙
and Hur
H2354
וְחוּר֙
and Hur
Strong's:
H2354
Word #:
13 of 19
chur, the name of four israelites and one midianite
עִמָּכֶ֔ם
H5973
עִמָּכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
14 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
מִי
are with you if any
H4310
מִי
are with you if any
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
15 of 19
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בַ֥עַל
man
H1167
בַ֥עַל
man
Strong's:
H1167
Word #:
16 of 19
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
דְּבָרִ֖ים
have any matters
H1697
דְּבָרִ֖ים
have any matters
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
17 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Exodus 17:12But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.Exodus 17:10So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.Genesis 22:5And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
Historical Context
Aaron was Moses' brother and spokesman; Hur appears in Exodus 17:10-12 holding up Moses' hands during battle with Amalek. Rabbinic tradition suggests Hur was Miriam's husband and was killed for opposing the golden calf.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Moses' delegation teach about wise leadership—why not try controlling everything yourself?
- How does Aaron's failure during Moses' absence show that positional authority doesn't guarantee spiritual fidelity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.
Moses delegates authority—Aaron and Hur (possibly Miriam's husband) will judge disputes during his absence. 'If any man have matters' (מִי־בַעַל דְּבָרִים, mi-ba'al devarim) means 'whoever has cases/disputes.' This shows wise leadership—appointing capable deputies before extended absence. But Aaron's leadership fails spectacularly (ch. 32)—he leads Israel in golden calf apostasy. Positional authority doesn't guarantee spiritual fidelity. Hur disappears from the narrative (possibly dying or being killed for resisting the calf). Even good organizational structure can't prevent rebellion when hearts turn from God.