So Moses went backMoses had ascended Mount Sinai to receive instructions from God. His return signifies obedience and the role of a mediator between God and the Israelites. This reflects the pattern of Moses as a prophet who communicates God's will to the people, a role that foreshadows Christ as the ultimate mediator (
1 Timothy 2:5).
and summoned the elders of the people
The elders were leaders and representatives of the tribes of Israel. Their involvement highlights the importance of leadership and governance in the community. This structure is seen throughout the Old Testament and is mirrored in the New Testament church with elders and overseers (Acts 14:23,1 Timothy 3:1-7).
and set before them all these words
Moses faithfully relays God's message, emphasizing the importance of accurate transmission of divine revelation. This act underscores the responsibility of leaders to convey God's truth without alteration, a principle echoed in the New Testament (2 Timothy 2:2).
that the LORD had commanded him
The authority of the message comes from the LORD, indicating divine origin and the necessity of obedience. This phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God commands and the people are expected to follow. It also points to the prophetic tradition where God's commands are delivered through chosen messengers (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses acts as the mediator between God and the Israelites. He is tasked with conveying God's commandments to the people.
2.
Elders of the PeopleThese are the leaders or representatives of the Israelite community. Moses communicates God's words to them, signifying their role in guiding and instructing the people.
3.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God who has delivered Israel from Egypt and is now establishing His covenant with them at Mount Sinai.
4.
Mount SinaiThe location where God reveals His commandments to Moses. It is a significant place of divine encounter and covenant-making.
5.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are being prepared to enter into a covenant relationship with Him.
Teaching Points
The Role of MediatorsMoses serves as a mediator between God and the people, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate mediator of the new covenant. This highlights the importance of intercession and leadership in spiritual communities.
The Importance of ObedienceThe elders' role in receiving and communicating God's commandments underscores the necessity of obedience to God's word. Believers are called to listen and respond to God's instructions.
Community LeadershipThe involvement of the elders signifies the importance of godly leadership in guiding and instructing the community. Leaders are responsible for faithfully conveying God's truth.
Covenant RelationshipThis passage is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Believers are called to live in faithfulness to God's covenant, reflecting His holiness and love.
Preparation for Divine EncounterJust as the Israelites prepared to meet God at Sinai, believers are encouraged to prepare their hearts for encounters with God through prayer, worship, and obedience.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 19:7?
2.How does Moses' role in Exodus 19:7 inspire leadership in our church today?
3.What does Exodus 19:7 teach about the importance of communicating God's commands?
4.How can we ensure our community listens to God's word like in Exodus 19:7?
5.How does Exodus 19:7 connect with Jesus' teachings on obedience in the Gospels?
6.How can we apply the principles of Exodus 19:7 in our daily lives?
7.What is the significance of Moses relaying God's words to the elders in Exodus 19:7?
8.How does Exodus 19:7 demonstrate the role of leadership in conveying divine messages?
9.Why did God choose Moses to communicate His covenant in Exodus 19:7?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 19?
11.What guidance does the Bible offer on elder care?
12.How does the portrayal of Aaron's role in Exodus 32 align with other biblical depictions of him, and does it reveal inconsistencies across different texts?
13.Why does there appear to be no archaeological evidence confirming this covenant ceremony (Exodus 24)?
14.Deuteronomy 5:2-3 says the covenant was made with the present generation, yet other passages imply it was made with their ancestors; how do we reconcile this?What Does Exodus 19:7 Mean
So Moses went backMoses has just heard the LORD’s covenant offer on Sinai (Exodus 19:3–6). His immediate return to the camp underscores quick obedience.
• Delayed obedience was never an option for God’s chosen leader; compareExodus 24:3, where “Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD.”
• Each ascent and descent (Exodus 19:3, 14, 20) shows Moses acting as mediator—anticipating the perfect Mediator foretold inDeuteronomy 18:15 and fulfilled in1 Timothy 2:5.
• Faithfulness in small steps prepares God’s servants for larger ones (Luke 16:10).
and summoned the elders of the peopleMoses does not address the crowd in disorder; he calls the recognized leaders first, just as God instructed inExodus 3:16: “Go, gather the elders of Israel.”
• Leadership matters: elders would transmit the covenant terms to every household (Deuteronomy 31:9–13).
• Shared responsibility prevents burnout (Exodus 18:17–23) and models the New Testament pattern of plurality (Acts 14:23;Titus 1:5).
• When spiritual leaders listen to God’s word together, unity forms at the top and flows down (Psalm 133:1–2).
and set before them all these wordsMoses hides nothing, holding back neither promises nor conditions (Exodus 19:5–6).
• “ALL these words” anticipates God’s later command: “You shall write on the stones all the words of this law plainly” (Deuteronomy 27:8).
• Honesty about God’s demands guards against later rebellion (Joshua 24:14–24).
• Every preacher’s model: Paul could say, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
that the LORD had commanded himThe authority behind the message is divine, not human.
• Moses’ commission began with “Now go, I will be with you and teach you what you shall say” (Exodus 4:12).
• The pattern continues with the prophets (Jeremiah 1:7) and the apostles: “For I did not speak on My own, but the Father who sent Me commanded Me” (John 12:49).
• Our calling mirrors his: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).
• God’s word delivered exactly as received is the foundation for covenant blessing (1 Kings 2:3).
summaryExodus 19:7 pictures a faithful servant who promptly returns from God’s presence, gathers recognized leaders, lays out the entire message, and does so under divine authority. Moses models swift obedience, shared leadership, complete disclosure, and uncompromising fidelity to God’s command—principles still essential for anyone entrusted with God’s word today.
(7)
Moses . . . Called for the elders-The "elders" formed the usual channel of communication between Moses and the people, reporting his words to them, and theirs to him. (See
Exodus 4:21;
Exodus 12:21;
Exodus 17:5-6;
Exodus 18:2;
Exodus 24:14, &c.) On their position and authority, see Note on
Exodus 3:16. . . .
Verse 7. - And Moses came. Moses descended from the point of the mountain which he had reached, and summoned a meeting of the elders of the people. When they were come together, he reported to them totidem verbis the message which he had received from God. He is said to have laid the words "before
theirfaces" - a Hebraism, meaning simply "before them."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiverwent backוַיָּבֹ֣א(way·yā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goand summonedוַיִּקְרָ֖א(way·yiq·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readthe eldersלְזִקְנֵ֣י(lə·ziq·nê)Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205:Oldof the peopleהָעָ֑ם(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockand setוַיָּ֣שֶׂם(way·yā·śem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760:Put -- to put, place, setbeforeלִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם(lip̄·nê·hem)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440:The facethem allכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everytheseהָאֵ֔לֶּה(hā·’êl·leh)Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thosewordsהַדְּבָרִ֣ים(had·də·ḇā·rîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causethatאֲשֶׁ֥ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatthe LORDיְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhad commanded him.צִוָּ֖הוּ(ṣiw·wā·hū)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680:To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order
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OT Law: Exodus 19:7 Moses came and called for the elders (Exo. Ex) 
