King James Version

What Does Exodus 3:16 Mean?

Exodus 3:16 in the King James Version says “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Is...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Exodus 3:16 · KJV

Context

14

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

15

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

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:

17

And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

18

And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'visiting' Israel after centuries of silence encourage you when prayers seem unanswered for long periods?
  2. What does Moses' instruction to work through existing elders teach about respecting legitimate authority structures when implementing change?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
לֵ֣ךְ1 of 24
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֞2 of 24

“and gather”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶת3 of 24
H853

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

זִקְנֵ֣י4 of 24

“the elders”

H2205

old

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל5 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

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

לֵאמֹ֑ר6 of 24

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶם֙7 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֞ה8 of 24

“unto them The LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֧י9 of 24

“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

אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙10 of 24

“of your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

נִרְאָ֣ה11 of 24

“appeared”

H7200

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

אֵלַ֔י12 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱלֹהֵ֧י13 of 24

“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

אַבְרָהָ֛ם14 of 24

“of Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

יִצְחָ֥ק15 of 24

“of Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וְיַֽעֲקֹ֖ב16 of 24

“and of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

לֵאמֹ֑ר17 of 24

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

פָּקַ֙דְתִּי֙18 of 24

“I have surely”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

פָּקַ֙דְתִּי֙19 of 24

“I have surely”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֶתְכֶ֔ם20 of 24
H853

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

וְאֶת21 of 24
H853

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

הֶֽעָשׂ֥וּי22 of 24

“you and seen that which is done”

H6213

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

לָכֶ֖ם23 of 24
H0
בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃24 of 24

“to you in Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 3:16 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 3:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 8:4Exodus 4:31Exodus 4:29Genesis 50:24Acts 15:141 Peter 2:12

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 3 →

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