Exodus 3:16
Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
Original Language Analysis
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
לֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֞
and gather
H622
וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֞
and gather
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
2 of 24
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְהוָ֞ה
unto them The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֞ה
unto them The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֧י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֧י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 24
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
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙
of your fathers
H1
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙
of your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 24
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
נִרְאָ֣ה
appeared
H7200
נִרְאָ֣ה
appeared
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
11 of 24
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֱלֹהֵ֧י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֧י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 24
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
פָּקַ֙דְתִּי֙
I have surely
H6485
פָּקַ֙דְתִּי֙
I have surely
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
18 of 24
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
פָּקַ֙דְתִּי֙
I have surely
H6485
פָּקַ֙דְתִּי֙
I have surely
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
19 of 24
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Psalms 8:4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?Exodus 4:29And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:Exodus 4:31And 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.Genesis 50:24And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.Acts 15:14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.Acts 20:17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.Acts 11:30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.Exodus 13:19And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.Exodus 4:5That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.Exodus 2:25And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
Historical Context
The phrase 'surely visited' (פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּי) echoes Joseph's prophecy in Genesis 50:24-25: 'God will surely visit you.' Israel's elders likely passed down this promise through generations, waiting for its fulfillment. Moses' message confirms that the long-awaited visitation has begun. Working through elders respected existing tribal authority structures that would govern Israel's camp organization during the wilderness journey.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'visiting' Israel after centuries of silence encourage you when prayers seem unanswered for long periods?
- What does Moses' instruction to work through existing elders teach about respecting legitimate authority structures when implementing change?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt (לֵךְ וְאָסַפְתָּ אֶת־זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל... יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם נִרְאָה אֵלַי... פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּי אֶתְכֶם)—God gives Moses his message and strategy. Gather the elders (זִקְנֵי, ziknei)—work through existing leadership. The message: appeared unto me (נִרְאָה אֵלַי, theophany), and I have surely visited you (פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּי, pakod pakadti, emphatic: "visiting I have visited"). The verb פָּקַד (pakad) means "visit for purpose"—divine intervention. Seen that which is done to you—God's awareness motivates action. This message assures Israel that their suffering hasn't gone unnoticed; God acts to fulfill covenant promises.