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.
EXODUS 3:18KJVWhat does Exodus 3:18 mean?
Exodus 3:18 says that the Israelite leaders will listen to Moses, and together they are to approach Pharaoh with a request: to let them travel three days into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to their God. The verse shows God instructing Moses on what to say and reassuring him that the elders will support him.
In this verse, God is speaking to Moses from the burning bush, preparing him for his mission to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God tells Moses that the elders of Israel will "hearken" (listen) to him, and together they must go to the king of Egypt (Pharaoh) to deliver God's message. The request to go three days' journey into the wilderness is presented as a specific, limited appeal, not an outright demand for freedom, which sets the stage for the coming confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 3:18
- "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ, H8085) means to listen or pay attention. Here, it emphasizes that the elders will truly listen and respond to Moses, which is important because Moses had doubts about whether his own people would believe him.
- "Met" (קָרָא, qaraʾ, H7136) means to encounter or meet. The phrase "the LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us" stresses a direct, personal encounter with God, giving weight to their request before Pharaoh.
- "Sacrifice" (זָבַח, zavach, H2076) refers to offering a sacrifice, which was a central act of worship. The request to sacrifice in the wilderness highlights the Israelites' distinct religious identity and their need for freedom to worship.
Why Exodus 3:18 matters
- This verse clarifies that Moses is not acting alone; God intends for the elders of Israel to join him, showing a united front before Pharaoh and strengthening Moses' position.
- The request for a "three days' journey" into the wilderness is often understood as a diplomatic approach, not an immediate demand for total release, which reveals the gradual unfolding of God's plan.
- The mention of sacrifice to "the LORD our God" highlights the central reason for the journey: worship and obedience to their God, setting up the conflict between serving God and serving Pharaoh.