Exodus 24:4
Exodus 24:4 in Multiple Translations
And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
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.
And Moses wrote all the words of Jehovah, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the mount, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then Moses put down in writing all the words of the Lord, and he got up early in the morning and made an altar at the foot of the mountain, with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Moses wrote down everything the Lord had said. He got up early the following morning and built an altar at the bottom of the mountain, and set up twelve pillars for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
And Moses wrote all the wordes of the Lord, and rose vp early, and set vp an altar vnder the mountaine, and twelue pillars according to the twelue tribes of Israel.
And Moses writeth all the words of Jehovah, and riseth early in the morning, and buildeth an altar under the hill, and twelve standing pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel;
Moses wrote all the LORD’s words, then rose up early in the morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain, with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose early in the morning, and built an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord: and rising in the morning he built an altar at the foot of the mount, and twelve titles according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then Moses/I wrote down everything that Yahweh had commanded. Early the next morning Moses/I built a stone altar. He/I also set up twelve stones, one for each of the Israeli tribes.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 24:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 24:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֣ב
מֹשֶׁ֗ה
אֵ֚ת
כָּל
דִּבְרֵ֣י
יְהוָ֔ה
וַ/יַּשְׁכֵּ֣ם
בַּ/בֹּ֔קֶר
וַ/יִּ֥בֶן
מִזְבֵּ֖חַ
תַּ֣חַת
הָ/הָ֑ר
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֤ים
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
מַצֵּבָ֔ה
לִ/שְׁנֵ֥ים
עָשָׂ֖ר
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֣ב
kâthab
H3789
to write
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מֹשֶׁ֗ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
אֵ֚ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
דִּבְרֵ֣י
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-mp
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
וַ/יַּשְׁכֵּ֣ם
shâkam
H7925
to rise
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
בַּ/בֹּ֔קֶר
bôqer
H1242
morning
Prep | N-ms
וַ/יִּ֥בֶן
bânâh
H1129
to build
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִזְבֵּ֖חַ
mizbêach
H4196
altar
N-ms
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
הָ/הָ֑ר
har
H2022
mountain
Art | N-ms
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֤ים
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Conj | Adj
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
מַצֵּבָ֔ה
matstsêbâh
H4676
pillar
N-fs
לִ/שְׁנֵ֥ים
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Prep | Adj
עָשָׂ֖ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 24:4
וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֣ב
kâthab
H3789
"to write"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To write or record something, including inscribing or engraving. It is used in various contexts, such as writing down a decree or subscribing to an agreement. This word is about putting thoughts or ideas into written form.
Definition: 1) to write, record, enrol 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to write, inscribe, engrave, write in, write on 1a2) to write down, describe in writing 1a3) to register, enrol, record 1a4) to decree 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be written 1b2) to be written down, be recorded, be enrolled 1c) (Piel) to continue writing Aramaic equivalent: ke.tav (כְּתַב "to write" H3790)
Usage: Occurs in 212 OT verses. KJV: describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten). See also: Exodus 17:14; 1 Chronicles 9:1; Psalms 40:8.
מֹשֶׁ֗ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
אֵ֚ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
דִּבְרֵ֣י
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-mp
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וַ/יַּשְׁכֵּ֣ם
shâkam
H7925
"to rise"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to rise or start early, like loading up a burden. It is used in Genesis to describe early morning activities.
Definition: 1) to rise or start early 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to rise early, make an early start 1a2) early (as adverb)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: (arise, be up, get (oneself) up, rise up) early (betimes), morning. See also: Genesis 19:2; 1 Samuel 15:12; Psalms 127:2.
בַּ/בֹּ֔קֶר
bôqer
H1242
"morning"
Prep | N-ms
The break of day or morning, a time of new beginnings, as in the morning sacrifices in Exodus 29:39 or the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week in John 20:1.
Definition: 1) morning, break of day 1a) morning 1a1) of end of night 1a2) of coming of daylight 1a3) of coming of sunrise 1a4) of beginning of day 1a5) of bright joy after night of distress (fig.) 1b) morrow, next day, next morning
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. See also: Genesis 1:5; 1 Samuel 11:11; Psalms 5:4.
וַ/יִּ֥בֶן
bânâh
H1129
"to build"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
מִזְבֵּ֖חַ
mizbêach
H4196
"altar"
N-ms
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Definition: altar
Usage: Occurs in 338 OT verses. KJV: altar. See also: Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:2; 1 Kings 2:28.
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
הָ/הָ֑ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
Art | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֤ים
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
מַצֵּבָ֔ה
matstsêbâh
H4676
"pillar"
N-fs
A pillar or monument, sometimes used as a memorial or with an altar, like those found in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) pillar, mastaba, stump 1a) pillar 1a1) as monument, personal memorial 1a2) with an altar 1b)(Hoph) stock, stump (of tree)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: garrison, (standing) image, pillar. See also: Genesis 28:18; 1 Kings 14:23; Isaiah 19:19.
לִ/שְׁנֵ֥ים
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Prep | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
עָשָׂ֖ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
N-mp
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
Study Notes — Exodus 24:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 24:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 24:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 24:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 24:4
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 24:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
- Sermons on Exodus 24:4
Context — The Covenant Sealed
2Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”
3When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.”
4And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
5Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. 6Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splattered on the altar.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 28:18 | Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it, |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 31:9 | So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. |
| 3 | Joshua 4:8–9 | Thus the Israelites did as Joshua had commanded them. They took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each tribe of Israel, just as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them to the camp, where they set them down. Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood. And the stones are there to this day. |
| 4 | Revelation 21:14 | The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. |
| 5 | Luke 22:30 | so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. |
| 6 | Galatians 2:9 | And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. |
| 7 | Exodus 28:21 | The twelve stones are to correspond to the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes. |
| 8 | Joshua 4:2–3 | “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’” |
| 9 | Numbers 17:2 | “Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man’s name on his staff, |
| 10 | 1 Kings 11:30 | And Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, |
Exodus 24:4 Summary
In Exodus 24:4, Moses wrote down all God's words and built an altar to worship Him. This shows us the importance of listening to and obeying God's instructions, just like the Israelites promised to do in Exodus 24:3. By writing down God's words, Moses was able to remember and pass them on, similar to how we remember and apply Scripture to our lives today (like in Psalm 119:11). This event reminds us to prioritize worship and obedience, just as Moses did, and to seek to understand and apply God's words in our own lives, as encouraged in Joshua 1:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Moses write down all the words of the Lord?
Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord to preserve and pass on God's instructions to the people of Israel, as seen in Exodus 24:4, similar to how the prophets wrote down God's words in books like Isaiah 1:1 and Jeremiah 1:1.
What is the significance of building an altar at the base of the mountain?
The altar represented a place of worship and sacrifice, where the people could offer thanks and obedience to God, as also seen in Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 22:9, where altars were built for similar purposes.
Why were twelve pillars built for the twelve tribes of Israel?
The twelve pillars symbolized the unity and representation of all twelve tribes of Israel, acknowledging God's covenant with each tribe, as established in Genesis 49:28 and reiterated in Exodus 28:21.
How does this event relate to the broader biblical narrative?
This event in Exodus 24:4 is part of the larger story of God's covenant with Israel, which is also seen in Deuteronomy 29:1 and Joshua 24:25, and ultimately points forward to the new covenant in Jesus Christ, as described in Luke 22:20 and Hebrews 8:6-13.
Reflection Questions
- What role does writing down God's words play in my own spiritual life, and how can I prioritize this practice?
- In what ways can I, like Moses, create spaces and rituals for worship and sacrifice in my daily life?
- How do the twelve pillars represent the diversity and unity of the body of Christ, and what does this mean for my relationships with fellow believers?
- What are some ways I can practically apply the instructions and promises of God, as recorded in Scripture, to my own life and circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 24:4
And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord,.... Jarchi says, all from the creation, to the giving of the law, and the commands at Marah; but though these were written by him, yet not at this time; but
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 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. Moses wrote all the words of the Lord.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
Moses wrote, to wit, in a book, . And the ten commandments God himself wrote also in tables of stone, . Builded an altar; representing God in Christ, as one party in the covenant. Twelve pillars; representing the people of Israel, the other party. So here are the outward signs and symbols of a covenant made between God and the Israelites.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
Exodus 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.Ver. 4. An altar.] Representing God on the one party, as the twelve pillars did the people on the other party. So here was a formal covenant.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
(4) Moses wrote.—Comp. Exodus 17:14. The familiarity of Moses with writing is throughout presumed in the Pentateuch. One “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” under the nineteenth dynasty could not well be ignorant of this ordinary Egyptian accomplishment. Under the hill.—Heb., the mountain. The Ras Sufsafeh is intended. Twelve pillars.—As the altar symbolised and indicated the presence of Jehovah, one party to the Covenant, so the twelve pillars—probably long stones set up on end (Genesis 28:18)—symbolised the presence of the twelve tribes, the other party. (For another instance of the employment of such symbolism see Joshua 4:3; Joshua 4:9; Joshua 4:20.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
Verse 4. Moses wrote all the words of the Lord] After the people had promised obedience, (Exodus 24:3), and so entered into the bonds of the covenant, "it was necessary," says Calmet, "to draw up an act by which the memory of these transactions might be preserved, and confirm the covenant by authentic and solemn ceremonies." And this Moses does. 1. As legislator, he reduces to writing all the articles and conditions of the agreement, with the people's act of consent. 2. As their mediator and the deputy of the Lord, he accepts on his part the resolution of the people; and Jehovah on his part engages himself to Israel, to be their God, their King, and Protector, and to fulfil to them all the promises he had made to their fathers. 3. To make this the more solemn and affecting, and to ratify the covenant, which could not be done without sacrifice, shedding and sprinkling of blood, Moses builds an altar, probably of turf, as was commanded, Exodus 20:24, and erects twelve pillars, no doubt of unhewn stone, and probably set round about the altar. The altar itself represented the throne of God; the twelve stones, the twelve tribes of Israel. These were the two parties, who were to contract, or enter into covenant, on this occasion.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 24:4
4. wrote] that they might be preserved in a tangible form, and form the basis of a permanent covenant (v. 7). builded an altar] Cf. Exodus 17:15; and on Exodus 20:24. under the mount] Cf. Exodus 19:17. pillars] or standing-stones (see on Exodus 23:24); partly, as the usual adjunct of an altar, partly, perhaps, that they might be witnesses of the ratification of the covenant (cf. Genesis 31:45; also Joshua 24:27).
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 24:4
Twelve pillars - As the altar was a symbol of the presence of Yahweh, so these twelve pillars represented the presence of the Twelve tribes with whom He was making the covenant.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 24:4
3, 4. Moses came and told — After receiving the laws as so many words of the Lord, he put them in writing, and thus codified the judgments (comp. Exodus 21:1) which were to govern the people.
Sermons on Exodus 24:4
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Twelve Pillars of Witness by G.W. North | G.W. North emphasizes the significance of the twelve pillars Moses erected at Sinai, symbolizing Israel's covenant with God and their identity as a people dedicated to worship. He |
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Living a Life of Double Portion Pt. 1 by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a life in Christ and understanding the ways of God. He highlights the dichotomy between those who walk in faith and |
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Spiritual House - Part 1 by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that we are no longer dealing with shadows, but with the reality of God's desires for us. He highlights the gathering of people from every na |
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The Anointing by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of the anointing in the life of a believer, illustrating its transformative power through biblical examples such as Jacob's anointing, the |
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Only One Altar by G.W. North | G.W. North emphasizes the significance of the altar in the relationship between God and humanity, illustrating how God established a singular altar as the official means of access |
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Epistles of John Chapter 4 the Anointing by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of the anointing in the life of believers, illustrating it through biblical examples such as Jacob's anointing, the consecration of the tab |
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The Making of the Master's Men by Victor Maxwell | Victor Maxwell preaches on 'Men the Master Made', focusing on the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus and their transformation from common, imperfect men to chosen, changed men who bec |