Exodus 3:18
What does Exodus 3:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 3:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 3:18 means
God assured Moses that the elders of Israel would listen to him. He then outlined the next crucial step: Moses, accompanied by the elders, was to approach Pharaoh. Their request would be to travel "three days’ journey into the wilderness" to offer sacrifices to Jehovah. This initial request, seemingly innocent, was a test for Pharaoh and a prelude to God's greater demands, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation that would follow. It was a divinely orchestrated strategy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they will give ear to your voice: and you, with the chiefs of Israel, will go to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and say to him, The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has come to us: let us then go three days' journey into the waste land to make an offering to the Lord our God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`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.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And 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, theGod 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 ourGod.
Context
This verse describes the elders' positive reception of Moses's message and then details the critical next step: the confrontation with Pharaoh. It sets the diplomatic strategy for the initial encounter with the Egyptian king, foreshadowing the conflict to come. This command immediately follows the instructions on what to tell the elders.
v.17and I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
v.18This passage
v.19And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 26:5
to hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send unto you, even rising up early and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
- Exodus 19:1
In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
- Exodus 13:17
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by 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:
- Exodus 3:12
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be the 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, Jehovah, the 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 hast not hearkened.
- Exodus 8:25
And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
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