King James Version

What Does Exodus 24:3 Mean?

Exodus 24:3 in the King James Version says “And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with on... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.

Exodus 24:3 · KJV


Context

1

And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.

2

And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

3

And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.

4

And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

5

And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath spoken will we do.

Moses reports all God's words (Ten Commandments) and judgments (mishpatim, chs. 21-23). The people respond unanimously: 'All...we will do' (כָּל אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר יְהוָה נַעֲשֶׂה, kol asher-dibber YHWH na'aseh). This is covenant ratification's first stage—verbal assent. Verse 7 repeats with added 'we will hear'—reversing the proper order (hear then do). Israel's overconfidence ('we will do') doesn't account for indwelling sin. Within weeks they'll violate the second commandment (golden calf). Human vows fail; Christ's obedience succeeds. He alone says 'I always do what pleases Him' (John 8:29).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaty ratifications involved verbal oaths by vassals. Israel's unanimous 'we will do' legally binds them to covenant terms. Their subsequent failure demonstrates human inability to keep the law perfectly.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Israel's confident 'we will do' reveal about human nature's self-assessment?
  2. How does Israel's covenant failure point to the necessity of Christ's perfect obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 23

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֹשֶׁ֗ה2 of 23

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וַיְסַפֵּ֤ר3 of 23

and told

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

הָעָ֜ם4 of 23

and all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֵ֚ת5 of 23
H853

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

כָּל6 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַדְּבָרִ֛ים7 of 23

All the words

H1697

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

יְהוָ֖ה8 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְאֵ֖ת9 of 23
H853

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

כָּל10 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֑ים11 of 23

and all the judgments

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וַיַּ֨עַן12 of 23

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

כָּל13 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֜ם14 of 23

and all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

ק֤וֹל15 of 23

voice

H6963

a voice or sound

אֶחָד֙16 of 23

with one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ17 of 23

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּל18 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַדְּבָרִ֛ים19 of 23

All the words

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁר20 of 23
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר21 of 23

hath said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֖ה22 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נַֽעֲשֶֽׂה׃23 of 23

will we do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application


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 24:3 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 24:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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