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Exodus 24:1

KJV

And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.

Read it in context The Covenant Sealed
Start reading at Exodus 24:1 (Exodus 24:1 to Exodus 24:11). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.

  1. 24:1 And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
  2. 24:2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.
  3. 24:3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.
  4. 24:4 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.
  5. 24:5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
  6. 24:6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
  7. 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
  8. 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
  9. 24:9 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
  10. 24:10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
  11. 24:11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: Exodus 24:1, Exodus 24:11, 1 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 9:12

Who wrote it, and how we know

Moses (traditional) Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote what the LORD commanded. Exodus 17:14Exodus 24:4Exodus 34:27
Early traditionUniform Jewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing of the material.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

Macro-Structure of Exodus

Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader.

Exodus 1:1 Exodus 19:3 Exodus 24:4

Oppression and the call of Moses
Exodus 1:1–6:30

FocusDeliverance announced

Connection to the wholeIsrael's bondage and God's commission to Moses establish the need for deliverance and introduce the confrontation with Pharaoh.
interpretation
Deliverance from Egypt
Exodus 7:1–15:21

FocusJudgment, Passover, and the sea

Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
interpretation
The journey to Sinai
Exodus 15:22–18:27

FocusProvision and ordering the people

Connection to the wholeWilderness needs, conflict, and the administration of justice prepare Israel for the covenant encounter at Sinai.
interpretation
Covenant at Sinai
Exodus 19:1–24:18 You are here · 24:1

FocusGod's words and Israel's response

Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
interpretation
Instructions for the tabernacle
Exodus 25:1–31:18

FocusDwelling among the people

Connection to the wholeThe sanctuary, priesthood, and associated work are specified as part of Israel's covenant worship.
interpretation
The golden calf and covenant renewal
Exodus 32:1–34:35

FocusRebellion, intercession, and mercy

Connection to the wholeIsrael's idolatry interrupts the sanctuary instructions. Moses intercedes, and renewed covenant words prepare the people to carry out the work.
interpretation
The tabernacle completed
Exodus 35:1–40:38

FocusObedient work and God's glory

Connection to the wholeThe people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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