Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.’ New Living Translation “The elders of Israel will accept your message. Then you and the elders must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD, our God.’ English Standard Version And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ Berean Standard Bible The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ Berean Literal Bible And they will listen to your voice, and you shall come—you and the elders of Israel—to the king of Egypt, and you⁺ shall say to him, ‘YHWH, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. And now, let us go, please, a journey of three days into the wilderness, and let us sacrifice to YHWH our God.’ King James Bible And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. New King James Version Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ New American Standard Bible Then they will pay attention to what you say; and you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt, and you will say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ NASB 1995 “They will pay heed to what you say; and you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt and you will say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ NASB 1977 “And they will pay heed to what you say; and you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt, and you will say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ Legacy Standard Bible And they will listen to your voice; and you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt, and you all will say to him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh our God.’ Amplified Bible The elders [of the tribes] will listen and pay attention to what you say; and you, with the elders of Israel, shall go to the king of Egypt and you shall say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; so now, please, [we ask and plead with you,] let us go on a three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ Berean Annotated Bible The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt (land of bondage) and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of the Hebrews (those from beyond), has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. Christian Standard Bible They will listen to what you say. Then you, along with the elders of Israel, must go to the king of Egypt and say to him: The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go on a three-day trip into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. Holman Christian Standard Bible They will listen to what you say. Then you, along with the elders of Israel, must go to the king of Egypt and say to him: Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go on a three-day trip into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to Yahweh our God.” American Standard Version And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, hath met with us: and now let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Jehovah our God. Contemporary English Version The leaders of Israel will listen to you. Then you must take them to the king of Egypt and say, "The LORD God of the Hebrews has appeared to us. Let us walk three days into the desert, where we can offer a sacrifice to him." English Revised Version And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, hath met with us: and now let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. GOD'S WORD® Translation "The leaders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the leaders must go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us travel three days into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.' Good News Translation "My people will listen to what you say to them. Then you must go with the leaders of Israel to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has revealed himself to us. Now allow us to travel three days into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD, our God.' International Standard Version "The elders of Israel will listen to you, and then you and they are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now, let us take a three-day journey into the desert to sacrifice to the LORD our God.' NET Bible "The elders will listen to you, and then you and the elders of Israel must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.' New Heart English Bible They will listen to your voice, and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, 'The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now please let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to our God.' Webster's Bible Translation And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and ye shall say to him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go (we beseech thee) three days journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ World English Bible They will listen to your voice. You shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they have listened to your voice, and you have entered, you and [the] elderly of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you have said to him: YHWH, God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a journey of three days into the wilderness, and we sacrifice to our God YHWH. Berean Literal Bible And they will listen to your voice, and you shall come—you and the elders of Israel—to the king of Egypt, and you⁺ shall say to him, ‘YHWH, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. And now, let us go, please, a journey of three days into the wilderness, and let us sacrifice to YHWH our God.’ Young's Literal Translation 'And they have hearkened to thy voice, and thou hast entered, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye have said unto him, Jehovah, God of the Hebrews, hath met with us; and now, let us go, we pray thee, a journey of three days into the wilderness, and we sacrifice to Jehovah our God. Smith's Literal Translation And they heard thy voice; and thou camest, thou and the old men of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and ye said to him, Jehovah the God of the Hebrews, met with us; and now will we go a way of three days into the desert, and we will sacrifice to Jehovah our God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they shall hear thy voice: and thou shalt go in, thou and the ancients of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and thou shalt say to him: The Lord God of the Hebrews hath called us: we will go three days' journey into the wilderness, to sacrifice unto the Lord our God. Catholic Public Domain Version And they shall hear your voice. And you shall enter, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall say to him: ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has called us. We shall go three days’ journey into the wilderness, in order to offer sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ New American Bible They will listen to you. Then you and the elders of Israel will go to the king of Egypt and say to him: The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has come to meet us. So now, let us go a three days’ journey in the wilderness to offer sacrifice to the LORD, our God. New Revised Standard Version They will listen to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; let us now go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they shall hearken to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt, and you shall say to him, The LORD God of the Hebrews has appeared to us; and now let us go three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they shall hear your voice and you shall enter, you and the Elders of the children of Israel, unto the King of Egypt, and you shall say to him, ‘LORD JEHOVAH God of the Hebrews was revealed to us; now let us go a journey of three days in the wilderness and we will sacrifice to LORD JEHOVAH our God.’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they shall hearken to thy voice. And thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him: The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, hath met with us. And now let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they shall hearken to thy voice, and thou and the elders of Israel shall go in to Pharao king of Egypt, and thou shalt say to him, The God of the Hebrews has called us; we will go then a journey of three days into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to our God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Moses at the Burning Bush…17And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’ 18The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19But I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go unless a mighty hand compels him.… Cross References The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, Exodus 4:29-31 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites, / and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, / and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped. Deuteronomy 31:28 Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. Exodus 19:7-8 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. / And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD. and you must go with them to the king of Egypt Exodus 7:1-2 The LORD answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. / You are to speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land. Exodus 8:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Exodus 10:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them, and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Exodus 5:3 “The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.” Exodus 7:16 Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened. Exodus 9:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, Exodus 8:27 We must make a three-day journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He commands us.” Exodus 8:28 Pharaoh answered, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.” Exodus 5:1 After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ Exodus 8:8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. Then I will let your people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD.” Exodus 10:25-26 But Moses replied, “You must also provide us with sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God. / Even our livestock must go with us; not a hoof will be left behind, for we will need some of them to worship the LORD our God, and we will not know how we are to worship the LORD until we arrive.” Deuteronomy 12:5-6 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. Exodus 10:3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Treasury of Scripture And they shall listen to your voice: and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall say to him, The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us: and now let us go, we beseech you, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. and they. Exodus 3:16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: Exodus 4:31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. Joshua 1:17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. and thou. Exodus 5:1-3 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness… the Lord. Exodus 7:16 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 9:1,13 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me… Exodus 10:3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. met. Exodus 4:24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. Exodus 5:3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. three days'. Exodus 8:27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. Exodus 13:17,18 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: … that we may. Exodus 3:12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. Exodus 7:16 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. Jump to Previous Beseech Egypt Elders Hearken Hebrews Israel Journey Met Please Sacrifice Three Voice WildernessJump to Next Beseech Egypt Elders Hearken Hebrews Israel Journey Met Please Sacrifice Three Voice WildernessExodus 3 1. Moses keeps Jethro's flock.2. God appears to him in a burning bush. 9. He sends him to deliver Israel. 13. The name of God. 15. His message to Israel, and Pharaoh, whose opposition is foretold. 20. He is assured of Israel's deliverance. The elders of Israel will listen to what you say This phrase indicates God's assurance to Moses that the leaders of the Israelite community will heed his message. The elders were respected leaders and representatives of the people, and their support was crucial for Moses' mission. This reflects a pattern seen throughout the Old Testament where God often works through established leadership structures. The elders' willingness to listen also fulfills God's promise of deliverance, as seen in Genesis 50:24-25, where Joseph speaks of God's future intervention. and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He is instructed by God to approach Pharaoh with the elders. 2. Elders of Israel Leaders among the Israelites who are to accompany Moses to Pharaoh, signifying unity and shared leadership. 3. Pharaoh The king of Egypt, representing the oppressive force against the Israelites. He is the one to whom Moses and the elders must make their request. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The God of the Hebrews, who reveals Himself to Moses and commissions him to lead His people out of bondage. 5. Wilderness The destination for the Israelites' journey, symbolizing a place of meeting with God and spiritual renewal. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CallMoses is instructed to approach Pharaoh with a specific message. This teaches us the importance of obedience to God's directives, even when facing daunting challenges. Leadership and Unity The involvement of the elders signifies the importance of shared leadership and unity in fulfilling God's mission. In our communities, we should seek to work together in harmony. Divine Authority The request to Pharaoh is made in the name of "The LORD, the God of the Hebrews," underscoring the authority and power of God over earthly rulers. We can trust in God's sovereignty in our lives. Purpose of Worship The request to journey into the wilderness to sacrifice highlights the centrality of worship in the life of God's people. We should prioritize worship and spiritual renewal in our lives. Faith in Action Moses' faith is demonstrated through his willingness to confront Pharaoh. Our faith should lead us to take bold actions in alignment with God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 3:18?2. How does Exodus 3:18 demonstrate God's plan for Israel's deliverance from Egypt? 3. Why is it significant that God instructs Moses to request a three-day journey? 4. How does Exodus 3:18 connect to God's covenant promises in Genesis? 5. What can we learn about obedience to God's instructions from Exodus 3:18? 6. How does the elders' involvement in Exodus 3:18 model leadership within the church? 7. Why did God choose Moses to lead the Israelites in Exodus 3:18? 8. What is the significance of the three-day journey request in Exodus 3:18? 9. How does Exodus 3:18 reflect God's authority over Pharaoh? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 3? 11. How could an estimated 600,000 Israelite men (plus families) have left Egypt without overwhelming logistical issues? 12. Who was Jethro in the Bible? 13. Who was Moses' father-in-law? 14. (Exodus 35) Is there any concrete historical or archeological evidence to verify that such a grand construction project occurred in the Sinai wilderness? What Does Exodus 3:18 Mean The elders of Israel will listen to what you say- God assures Moses that the leaders of Israel will accept his testimony. This is not wishful thinking; it is a sovereign promise, echoing Exodus 4:29–31 where the elders indeed believe and bow in worship. - The pattern of God preparing receptive hearts appears elsewhere—compare Genesis 41:37–38 (Pharaoh listening to Joseph) and Acts 16:14 (the Lord opening Lydia’s heart). - The verse underscores that authentic divine commissioning is accompanied by divine provision; when God sends, He also prepares ears to hear. and you must go with them to the king of Egypt - Moses is not to act alone; he is to bring the elders as witnesses. Deuteronomy 19:15 affirms the value of multiple witnesses in establishing truth. - Standing before Pharaoh, the elders’ presence adds credibility and unity, foreshadowing Numbers 11:16–17 where God places His Spirit on seventy elders to share leadership. - Obedience here is immediate and literal: Moses and the elders actually present themselves to the monarch as recorded in Exodus 5:1. and tell him - The message is mandated, not negotiable. Jeremiah 1:7–8 mirrors this charge: “You must go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I command you.” - God’s servants are heralds, speaking precisely what He has spoken—no more, no less (Exodus 7:2). ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. - The covenant Name, “YHWH,” identifies Israel’s Redeemer in distinction from Egypt’s idols (Exodus 15:11). - “Met with us” affirms a real encounter, paralleling Genesis 32:30 (Jacob: “I have seen God face to face”) and Acts 9:5 (Saul confronted by the risen Christ). - By declaring ownership (“the God of the Hebrews”), Moses confronts Pharaoh’s assumed sovereignty over Israel, asserting divine prior claim (Exodus 4:22–23). Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, - The request is specific and measurable, underscoring sincerity, not rebellion. Jesus likewise asks for defined obedience in Mark 11:2–3 (“Untie it and bring it here”). - The “three-day” motif foreshadows themes of deliverance and resurrection hope, later fulfilled supremely in Matthew 12:40. - Wilderness settings often become meeting places with God: see Exodus 19:1–6 and Hosea 2:14. so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ - Worship is the ultimate purpose, not mere escape. Exodus 8:1 repeats, “Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.” - Sacrifice points ahead to substitutionary atonement, culminating in Christ’s once-for-all offering (Hebrews 10:10–12). - True freedom is inseparable from service to God; Galatians 5:1,13 balances liberty with devotion. summary Exodus 3:18 records God’s precise strategy for Moses: assurance of Israel’s elders’ support, a united approach to Pharaoh, a God-given proclamation, a measured request, and a worship-centered purpose. Each clause reveals the Lord’s sovereign preparation, His demand for obedient speech, and His priority of redeemed worship. The verse functions as both promise and blueprint, demonstrating that when God calls His people out, He equips them to honor Him in every step. (18) They shall hearken.--The pronoun "they" refers to "the elders" of Exodus 3:16. For the fulfilment of the promise, see Exodus 4:29-31. The elders appear to have been persuaded easily, and at once.Thou and the elders.--We are not told in Exodus 5 that the elders did present themselves before Pharaoh; but it is possible that they may have done so. Or Moses and Aaron, who spoke in their name, and by their authority, may have been regarded as sufficiently representing them. The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us.--Heb., Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews. Pharaoh would readily comprehend this statement. He would quite understand that the Hebrews, being of a different race from the Egyptians, had a God of their own, and that this God would from time to time give intimations to them of His will. Such intimations were supposed to be given to the Egyptian kings occasionally by their gods. Three days' journey.--The necessity for withdrawing to so great a distance arose from that remarkable peculiarity in the Egyptian religion, the worship of animals. Cows, or at any rate, white cows, were sacred throughout the whole of Egypt, and to kill them was regarded as a crime of the deepest dye. Sheep were sacred to the inhabitants of one nome or canton, goats to those of another (Herod. ii. 42). Unless the Hebrews retired to a place where there were no Egyptians, they would be unable to perform their sacred rites without danger of disturbance, and even bloodshed. (See below, Exodus 8:26.) The wilderness.--"The wilderness" to those who dwelt in Goshen was the broad sandy and rocky tract which intervened between Egypt and Palestine--the modern El-Tih--a desert reckoned at three days' journey across (Herod. iii. 5). It is "a vast limestone plateau of irregular surface, projecting wedge-fashion into the peninsula of Sinai, just as Sinai itself projects into the Red Sea. It terminates in a long cliff or encampment, steep and abrupt on the south-western side, gradually falling away towards the south-east."--(Our Work in Palestine, p. 275.) That we may sacrifice.--It is idle to speculate whether, if Pharaoh had granted the request, the Israelites would have returned to Egypt after sacrificing. God knew that he would not grant it. . . . Verse 18. - They shall hearken to thy voice. Moses thought they would despise him - turn a deaf ear to his words - look upon him as unworthy of credit. But it was not so. The hearts of men are in God's hands, and he disposed those of the elders to receive the message of his servant, Moses, favourably, and believe in it. (See Exodus 4:29-31.) Thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt. This future is perhaps one of command rather than of prophetic announcement. The elders do not seem to have actually made their appearance before Pharaoh. (See Exodus 5:1-4.) They may, however, have authorised Moses and Aaron to speak in their name. The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us. Through our representative Moses. "Met with us" is undoubtedly the true meaning. That we may sacrifice. There was reticence here, no doubt, but no falseness. It was a part of God's design that sacrifice, interrupted during the sojourn in Egypt for various reasons, should be resumed beyond the bounds of Egypt by His people. So much of his purpose, and no more, he bade Moses lay before Pharaoh on the first occasion. The object of the reticence was not to deceive Pharaoh, but to test him.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew [The elders of Israel] will listenוְשָׁמְע֖וּ (wə·šā·mə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently to what you say, לְקֹלֶ֑ךָ (lə·qō·le·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6963: A voice, sound and you אַתָּה֩ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you must go וּבָאתָ֡ (ū·ḇā·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go with [them] וְזִקְנֵ֨י (wə·ziq·nê) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 2205: Old to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Egypt מִצְרַ֗יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa and tell וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say him, אֵלָיו֙ (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘The LORD, יְהוָ֞ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel the God אֱלֹהֵ֤י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of the Hebrews, הָֽעִבְרִיִּים֙ (hā·‘iḇ·rî·yîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 5680: Hebrews -- perhaps descendant of Eber, also another name for an Israelite has met נִקְרָ֣ה (niq·rāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7136: To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers with us. עָלֵ֔ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Now וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time please נָּ֞א (nā) Interjection Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then' let us take נֵֽלֲכָה־ (nê·lă·ḵāh-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk a three-day שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ) Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice journey דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action into the wilderness, בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר (bam·miḏ·bār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech so that we may sacrifice וְנִזְבְּחָ֖ה (wə·niz·bə·ḥāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice to the LORD לַֽיהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel our God.’ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Links Exodus 3:18 NIVExodus 3:18 NLT Exodus 3:18 ESV Exodus 3:18 NASB Exodus 3:18 KJV Exodus 3:18 BibleApps.com Exodus 3:18 Biblia Paralela Exodus 3:18 Chinese Bible Exodus 3:18 French Bible Exodus 3:18 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 3:18 They will listen to your voice (Exo. 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