And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

EXODUS 7:16KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“hitherto” Hebrew H3541 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
  • Numbers 11:31 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
  • 1 Kings 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

“Hebrews” Hebrew H5680 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Exodus 2:7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
  • 1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.