King James Version

What Does Exodus 24:14 Mean?

Exodus 24:14 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 24:14 · KJV


Context

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.

13

And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

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.

15

And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.

16

And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Moses' delegation teach about wise leadership—why not try controlling everything yourself?
  2. How does Aaron's failure during Moses' absence show that positional authority doesn't guarantee spiritual fidelity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְאֶל1 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַזְּקֵנִ֤ים2 of 19

unto the elders

H2205

old

אָמַר֙3 of 19

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁבוּ4 of 19

Tarry

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לָ֣נוּ5 of 19
H0
בָזֶ֔ה6 of 19

ye here

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עַ֥ד7 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר8 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָשׁ֖וּב9 of 19

for us until we come again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם10 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְהִנֵּ֨ה11 of 19
H2009

lo!

אַֽהֲרֹ֤ן12 of 19

unto you and behold Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְחוּר֙13 of 19

and Hur

H2354

chur, the name of four israelites and one midianite

עִמָּכֶ֔ם14 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

מִי15 of 19

are with you if any

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בַ֥עַל16 of 19

man

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

דְּבָרִ֖ים17 of 19

have any matters

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יִגַּ֥שׁ18 of 19

let him come

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אֲלֵהֶֽם׃19 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 24:14 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 24:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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