Exodus 7:16 (KJV)

What does Exodus 7:16 mean?

Exodus 7:16 records God’s instruction to Moses to tell Pharaoh that the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent him with a message: to let the Israelites go so they can worship God in the wilderness, but Pharaoh has refused to listen up to this point. The verse highlights both God’s authority and Pharaoh’s stubbornness in the ongoing conflict between God’s command and Pharaoh’s resistance.

In this scene, Moses is speaking to Pharaoh on God’s behalf, delivering a direct command from the LORD (the personal name of Israel’s God) to release the Hebrew people. The setting is Egypt, where the Israelites are enslaved, and this confrontation is part of a series of escalating demands and refusals that lead to the plagues. The verse makes clear that the purpose of their release is to serve or worship God, not simply to escape slavery.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 7:16

• יְהוָה (YHWH; transliteration: Yahweh) — This is the personal name of God, often rendered as “the LORD” in English Bibles. Its use here emphasizes that Moses is not speaking for a generic deity, but for the specific God of Israel.
• עִבְרִיִּים (ʿIvrim; transliteration: Hebrews) — This word identifies the people group, marking them as distinct from the Egyptians and highlighting their unique relationship with God.
• שָׁלַח (shalach; transliteration: sent/let go) — This verb appears twice: once for God sending Moses, and once for Pharaoh being told to “let my people go.” The repetition underlines the idea of sending with authority, both in Moses’ mission and in the command to release the Israelites.
• עָבַד (avad; transliteration: serve) — The word translated “serve” can mean both “to serve” and “to worship.” In this context, it suggests that the Israelites are being freed not just for their own sake, but specifically to serve or worship God.

Why Exodus 7:16 matters

• This verse clarifies that God’s demand is not just about political freedom, but about the Israelites’ ability to worship Him as He commands, setting the stage for the spiritual purpose behind the Exodus.
• The use of God’s personal name and the identification of the Israelites as Hebrews emphasize the covenant relationship and God’s claim over His people, not just a general liberation.
• By noting Pharaoh’s refusal to listen “hitherto,” the verse highlights the growing tension and sets up the pattern of confrontation that will continue through the plagues, showing both God’s patience and Pharaoh’s hard-heartedness.