Keraia
Exodus 24

Exodus 24:4

The Covenant Sealed · Exodus 24:1–11
Read Exodus 24

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Moses wrote all the words of YHWH. And he rose early in the morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain, and two and ten pillars, according to the two and ten tribes of Israel.
Latin
Scripsit autem Moyses universos sermones Domini: et mane consurgens, ædificavit altare ad radices montis, et duodecim titulos per duodecim tribus Israël.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Exodus 24:4

Pillars were set up as memorial stones. They showed that something important had happened at that place and time.

In Hittite treaties, people called on their pagan gods to witness the agreement. The gods were believed to see and confirm the treaty.

However, the Hebrews were not allowed to recognize other gods. Instead of calling on false gods as witnesses, they used stone pillars to mark the agreement.

Exodus 24:1–18

Israel agreed to the terms of the covenant (24:3). The covenant was then confirmed through several ceremonies:

  • First, the covenant was written down and read aloud to the people (24:4, 7).

  • Then blood was sprinkled as part of the ceremony (24:6).

  • The leaders also shared a covenant meal in God’s presence (24:11).

  • Finally, the glory of the Lord appeared on the mountain (24:15–18).

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron Abihu Altar Biblical Concept of Law Blood Book of Exodus Book of the Covenant Criminal Law and Punishment Deuteronomy, Book of Elder Elisha Fellowship Genesis, Book of History of Israel Jesus Christ, Teachings of Lord’s Supper, the Mediate, Mediator Nadab Numbers, Book of Pentateuch

Topics

Altar: Built by Moses Altars of Moses Israel: The Law Delivered To Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Covenant Made Pillar by Moses, the Covenant Between Jehovah and Israel Pillars of Memorial: To Commemorate Remarkable Events The Scriptures: Reveal the Laws, Statutes, and Judgments of God Word of God: Inspiration of Word of God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Young Men: General Scriptures Concerning