King James Version

What Does Exodus 24:10 Mean?

Exodus 24:10 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 24:10 · KJV

Context

8

And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

9

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

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.

11

And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

12

And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can the text say 'they saw God' when God is invisible spirit—what did they see?
  2. Why do they see only 'under His feet'—what does partial revelation teach about God's accommodation to human weakness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיִּרְא֕וּ1 of 12

“And they saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֵ֖ת2 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֱלֹהֵ֣י3 of 12

“the God”

H430

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל4 of 12

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְתַ֣חַת5 of 12
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

רַגְלָ֗יו6 of 12

“and there was under his feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂה֙7 of 12

“work”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

לִבְנַ֣ת8 of 12

“as it were a paved”

H3840

properly, whiteness, i.e., (by implication) transparency

הַסַּפִּ֔יר9 of 12

“of a sapphire stone”

H5601

a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire

וּכְעֶ֥צֶם10 of 12

“and as it were the body”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם11 of 12

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

לָטֹֽהַר׃12 of 12

“in his clearness”

H2892

literally brightness; ceremonially purification

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 24:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 24:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 1:18Ezekiel 10:1Genesis 32:30Exodus 33:23Exodus 33:20Revelation 4:3

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