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.

EXODUS 24:4KJV
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Exodus 24:4 (KJV)

What does Exodus 24:4 mean?

Exodus 24:4 describes how Moses wrote down everything the LORD had said, then got up early the next morning to build an altar at the foot of the mountain, along with twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. This verse shows Moses carefully recording God’s words and preparing a place for worship and sacrifice on behalf of all the people.

In this scene, Moses is acting as the leader and mediator between God and the Israelites, following God’s instructions after the people agreed to the covenant. The twelve pillars stand for the entire nation, with each tribe included, and the altar is set up for the upcoming covenant ceremony. This moment is a key step in formalizing the relationship between God and Israel, highlighting both obedience and representation.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 24:4

  • The word for “wrote” (כָּתַב, katav) means to inscribe or record, showing that Moses is not just remembering but making a permanent record of God’s words.
  • “Altar” (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach) refers to a structure for offerings and sacrifices, emphasizing the seriousness and sacredness of what is about to happen.
  • “Pillars” (מַצֵּבָה, matzevah) are upright stones, often used as memorials or symbols; here, they physically represent the twelve tribes, making the ceremony inclusive and communal.
  • “Tribes” (שֵׁבֶט, shevet) means a branch or division of the nation, underlining that every group within Israel is involved in this covenant event.

Why Exodus 24:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Moses did not rely on memory but made a written record of God’s words, which is important for the authority and preservation of the covenant.
  • The building of both an altar and twelve pillars shows that worship and covenant are meant to involve the whole community, not just leaders or priests.
  • Exodus 24:4 sets the stage for the covenant ceremony that follows, helping readers see how the relationship between God and Israel is formalized through both word and symbolic action.

Where else these words appear

“pillars” Hebrew H4676 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
  • Leviticus 26:1 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
  • 2 Kings 23:14 And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

“early” Hebrew H7925 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: