Exodus 7:16 - You shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness:” and behold, until now you haven’t listened.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Exodus 7:16" mean?
This verse, Exodus 7:16, is a crucial part of the narrative of the Exodus, where God is commanding Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the Israelites' release from slavery. Let's break down the meaning:
"You shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you..." This establishes the authority and divine source of Moses' message.
"Yahweh": This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It's a powerful and significant declaration.
"The God of the Hebrews": This identifies Yahweh as the deity specifically associated with the Israelite people, clarifying who sent Moses. It establishes a covenant relationship.
"has sent me to you": Moses is acting as God's messenger, not on his own initiative.
"...saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness:”" This is the core demand.
"Let my people go": This is a straightforward demand for freedom. The Israelites are to be released from their enslavement in Egypt.
"that they may serve me in the wilderness": The purpose of their release isn't just freedom, but to worship and serve Yahweh in a designated place (the wilderness). This implies a pilgrimage, a sacred journey. It also highlights that God's desire isn't just to free them from physical bondage, but to bring them into a relationship of worship and service to Him.
"and behold, until now you haven’t listened." This is a stark accusation and a reminder that Pharaoh has repeatedly ignored God's requests. It sets the stage for the escalating series of plagues that will follow. It also highlights Pharaoh's defiance and rebellion against God's will.
In essence, the verse conveys the following:
Divine Authority: God, under his personal name Yahweh, commands Moses to speak.
Specific Relationship: God is the God of the Hebrews, showing the special relationship He has with them.
Demand for Liberation: The Israelites must be freed from slavery.
Purpose of Freedom: Their freedom is meant to allow them to worship God.
Pharaoh's Disobedience: Pharaoh is being held accountable for ignoring God's previous requests.
This verse is a key moment in the Exodus story because it is a formal, direct, and authoritative demand made upon Pharaoh. It lays the groundwork for the conflict between God and Pharaoh, and the dramatic events that will follow. The stakes are high: the freedom of God's people and the recognition of His divine power.
Exodus 7:16 - You shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness:” and behold, until now you haven’t listened.
What does "Exodus 7:16" mean?
This verse, Exodus 7:16, is a crucial part of the narrative of the Exodus, where God is commanding Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the Israelites' release from slavery. Let's break down the meaning:
"You shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you..." This establishes the authority and divine source of Moses' message.
"Yahweh": This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It's a powerful and significant declaration.
"The God of the Hebrews": This identifies Yahweh as the deity specifically associated with the Israelite people, clarifying who sent Moses. It establishes a covenant relationship.
"has sent me to you": Moses is acting as God's messenger, not on his own initiative.
"...saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness:”" This is the core demand.
"Let my people go": This is a straightforward demand for freedom. The Israelites are to be released from their enslavement in Egypt.
"that they may serve me in the wilderness": The purpose of their release isn't just freedom, but to worship and serve Yahweh in a designated place (the wilderness). This implies a pilgrimage, a sacred journey. It also highlights that God's desire isn't just to free them from physical bondage, but to bring them into a relationship of worship and service to Him.
"and behold, until now you haven’t listened." This is a stark accusation and a reminder that Pharaoh has repeatedly ignored God's requests. It sets the stage for the escalating series of plagues that will follow. It also highlights Pharaoh's defiance and rebellion against God's will.
In essence, the verse conveys the following:
Divine Authority: God, under his personal name Yahweh, commands Moses to speak.
Specific Relationship: God is the God of the Hebrews, showing the special relationship He has with them.
Demand for Liberation: The Israelites must be freed from slavery.
Purpose of Freedom: Their freedom is meant to allow them to worship God.
Pharaoh's Disobedience: Pharaoh is being held accountable for ignoring God's previous requests.
This verse is a key moment in the Exodus story because it is a formal, direct, and authoritative demand made upon Pharaoh. It lays the groundwork for the conflict between God and Pharaoh, and the dramatic events that will follow. The stakes are high: the freedom of God's people and the recognition of His divine power.