Exodus 24:3 · Bible study
Exodus 24:3 Commentary: One Answer, One Covenant Vow
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exodus 24:3: The people's unanimous 'We will do' reflects genuine covenant commitment. What it reveals about human ability and divine grace in the Old Covenant.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Israel's unanimous covenant commitment to obey all the Lord's commands as mediated through Moses.
- Key words: 'One voice' (אֶחָד קוֹל) signifies total unity; 'words' (דִּבְרֵי) and 'judgments' (מִשְׁפָּטִים) distinguish commands from case laws.
- Main debate: Whether the Decalogue was included in Moses' report, since the people heard it directly from God.
- Theological theme: The necessity of a human response in covenant relationship, and the foreshadowing of the need for a perfect mediator and a new heart.
- Best use: Teaching on covenant commitment, the role of God's law, and the grace that undergirds both Old and New Covenants.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
When 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.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
Moses came and told the people all Yahweh’s words, and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, “All the words which Yahweh has spoken will we do.”
KJV King James Version 1769
And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And Moses came and told the people all the words of Jehovah, and all the ordinances: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which Jehovah hath spoken will we do.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And Moses cometh in, and recounteth to the people all the words of Jehovah, and all the judgments, and all the people answer--one voice, and say, `All the words which Jehovah hath spoken we do.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Moses came and told the people all the words of Jehovah, and all the judgments; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words that Jehovah has said will we do!
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice: We will do all the words of the Lord, which he hath spoken.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y Moisés vino y contó al pueblo todas las palabras de Jehová, y todos los derechos: y todo el pueblo respondió á una voz, y dijeron: Ejecutaremos todas las palabras que Jehová ha dicho.
E Moisés veio e contou ao povo todas as palavras do SENHOR, e todos os estatutos: e todo o povo respondeu em uma voz, e disseram: Executaremos todas as palavras que o SENHOR disse.
Moïse vint rapporter au peuple toutes les paroles de l’ Éternel et toutes les lois. Le peuple entier répondit d’ une même voix: Nous ferons tout ce que l’ Éternel a dit.
Mose kam und erzählte dem Volk alle Worte des HERRN und alle Rechte. Da antwortete alles Volk mit einer Stimme und sprachen: Alle Worte, die der HERR gesagt hat, wollen wir tun.
Als Mozes kwam en verhaalde aan het volk al de woorden des HEEREN, en al de rechten, toen antwoordde al het volk met een stem, en zij zeiden: Al deze woorden, die de HEERE gesproken heeft, zullen wij doen.
E Mosè venne e riferì al popolo tutte le parole dell’Eterno e tutte le leggi. E tutto il popolo rispose ad una voce e disse: “Noi faremo tutte le cose che l’Eterno ha dette”.
Przyszedł tedy Mojżesz, i opowiedział ludowi wszystkie słowa Pańskie, i wszystkie sądy. I odpowiedział wszystek lud głosem jednym, mówiąc: Wszystkie słowa, które rzekł Pan, uczynimy.
И пришел Моисей и пересказал народу все слова Господни и все законы. И отвечал весь народ в один голос, и сказали: все, что сказал Господь, сделаем [и будем послушны].
摩西 下山，將 耶和華的 命令 典章 都 述說 與百姓聽。眾 百姓 齊 聲 說：「耶和華 所 吩咐的，我們都 必遵行。」
Then Moses came and put before the people all the words of the Lord and his laws: and all the people, answering with one voice, said, Whatever the Lord has said we will do.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 24:3
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse records a pivotal moment in establishing the Sinai covenant. Moses had received the laws recorded in Exodus 20, 23, and now he conveys them to the people. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges distinguishes between the 'words' (positive commands) and the 'judgments' (case-specific legal decisions), noting that the Decalogue itself is not included because the people heard those directly from God. Keil and Delitzsch state that this recitation 'constituted the preparation for the conclusion of the covenant.' The people's reply, 'All the words which Yahweh has spoken will we do', is described by Gill as given 'with one voice,' indicating full unanimity. Adam Clarke emphasizes that this was a free and willing response to God's proposal. Though the commentators respect the sincerity of the promise, they also note the irony that Israel would soon break it. Matthew Henry reflects on this as a solemn pledge, and Wesley highlights that the people now consent not just in general but to these specific laws. The consensus is clear: this covenant commitment is genuine, but it also exposes the need for a mediator and, ultimately, for grace to fulfill what is promised.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The people made a voluntary, unanimous commitment to obey all of God's commands as mediated through Moses.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of laws reported by Moses | All agree Moses recounted the laws from Exodus 20, 23, including both commands and case laws. | Some commentators (Delitzsch, Cambridge) exclude the Decalogue because the people heard it directly; others (Lange) argue the report necessarily included the whole law given up to that point. |
| Nature of the people's promise | The promise was a genuine, voluntary covenant commitment made freely. | Reformed theologians emphasize that the promise exposed human inability, while Catholic and Wesleyan traditions see it as a cooperative response empowered by grace. |
| Significance of 'one voice' | The phrase indicates unanimous agreement among the people. | Gill suggests one person spoke representatively; others (Keil, Lange) imply the entire crowd spoke the same words simultaneously. |
| Relation to the New Covenant | This covenant points forward to a better mediator and a more perfect obedience. | Christians differ on the degree of continuity, some see the Mosaic covenant as a type of the New, others emphasize the discontinuity of a new heart enabling obedience. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse sits at the climax of the law-giving at Sinai. After the Decalogue (Exodus 20) and the additional laws known as the 'Book of the Covenant' (Exodus 21, 23), the Lord calls Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders to come up the mountain (24:1). But first Moses descends to report everything to the people. What he reports are not the Ten Commandments, those the Israelites had already heard directly from God's voice, a terrifying experience that made them beg for a mediator (Exodus 20:18, 19). Instead, Moses recites the 'words' (the principles of worship in 20:22, 26) and the 'judgments' (the case laws in chapters 21, 23).
The people answer 'with one voice' (קוֹל אֶחָד, qol echad), a Hebrew phrase that signals complete unity. This is their third expression of compliance: earlier they promised at Exodus 19:8 and again at 20:19. Each time, the response is the same, 'All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.' This repetition underscores that the covenant is based on voluntary, informed consent, not coercion. The surrounding narrative shows Moses then writing these words in a 'book of the covenant,' building an altar and twelve pillars representing the tribes, and sealing the covenant with sacrifices and blood (24:4, 8). In ancient Near Eastern treaty patterns, a vassal would accept the terms of a suzerain; here, Israel pledges allegiance to her divine King. The unanimous reply prepares the way for the solemn ceremony that follows, where blood is sprinkled both on the altar and on the people, binding them to God in a life-and-death bond.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources, including the Hebrew manuscripts underlying the interlinear, note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Masoretic Text is consistent across traditions. A few scholars discuss the literary composition of the surrounding material, whether the 'judgments' in chapter 21 were inserted by a later redactor, but the text of verse 3 itself is stable.
Reception History
Early Christian interpreters connected this covenant ceremony with baptism and the Eucharist, seeing the blood of the covenant (Exodus 24:8) as a type of Christ's blood. The author of Hebrews draws directly on this imagery (Hebrews 9:18, 20). The people's promise of obedience was frequently cited in catechetical instruction, both as an example of faithful resolve and as a warning against presumption. Reformation commentators emphasized that this covenant exposed the human inability to keep the law, driving sinners to seek grace. Modern evangelical readings often highlight the contrast between Israel's 'We will do' and their subsequent failures, pointing to the need for a transformed heart. Across traditions, this verse serves as a sobering reminder that sincere intentions require divine enablement for fulfillment.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Mediator's Report: Moses comes down from the mountain and tells the people all the Lord's words and judgments. He does not add or subtract; he simply relays what God said. This establishes the pattern of prophetic mediation, God speaks, and His servant faithfully delivers the message.
- The People's Response: With one voice, the people declare, 'All the words which Yahweh has spoken will we do.' Their answer is unified, immediate, and total. It reflects a genuine desire to obey, born from the awe of God's presence and the goodness of His laws.
- Preparing for Covenant: This verbal acceptance sets the stage for the ratification ceremony that follows, the writing of the covenant, the building of the altar, and the sprinkling of blood. The promise comes first; the seal comes after.
Five-point outline
- Moses descends with divine words, the content of the covenant is communicated clearly and completely.
- The people hear and understand, they are given full knowledge of what is required.
- The people answer unanimously, their 'one voice' shows unity of heart and purpose.
- They commit to obedience, 'will we do' is a strong volitional statement, not a passive wish.
- The covenant moves toward ratification, the verbal promise is the foundation for the binding ceremony that follows.
Illustration hooks
- A marriage vow: a couple stands before witnesses and pledges lifelong faithfulness. The sincerity is real, but they know challenges lie ahead. The vow itself is precious, yet it also reveals the need for daily grace to keep it.
- A national constitution: citizens swear allegiance to a set of laws. The promise is public and binding, but history shows the constant struggle to live up to such ideals. The pledge creates identity, but it must be continually renewed.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If Israel's promise was sincere, why did they fail so quickly? Does this mean the law was flawed, or was the problem in the human heart?
- How does this passage shape our understanding of worship? Is our response to God's word meant to be as unanimous and wholehearted as theirs?
- What does it mean to answer God 'with one voice' today, especially in a divided church?
Leading a Discussion
Exodus 24:3 captures a dramatic moment: the people of Israel, fresh from hearing God's laws, promise to obey everything He has said. This passage invites us to reflect on the nature of covenant commitment, both its beauty and its fragility. As you discuss, consider how this Old Covenant response points forward to the New Covenant, where God promises to write His law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).
Discussion questions
- What did Moses tell the people, and why was it important that he repeated the laws in detail before asking for their response? (Observation)
- The people answered 'with one voice.' What does this phrase suggest about their unity and their understanding of the covenant? (Observation)
- Compare this response with Exodus 19:8 and 20:19. What pattern do you see in the people's repeated promises? (Interpretation)
- Why do you think the Decalogue is not included in what Moses reported, according to many commentators? What does this tell us about the role of Moses as mediator? (Interpretation)
- In what ways was the people's promise genuine, and in what ways was it limited? How does this tension between intention and ability relate to the New Covenant? (Interpretation)
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between hearing God's word and responding to it? How can we apply this in our own lives this week? (Application)
- How does the covenant ceremony that follows (v.4, 8) deepen our understanding of this verbal promise? What does the blood signify? (Application)
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 19:8 | All the people answered together, and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh. |
| Exodus 21:1 | “Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them: |
| Exodus 21:23 | But if any harm follows, then you must take life for life, |
| Exodus 24:7 | He took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “We will do all that Yahweh has said, and be obedient.” |
| Deuteronomy 4:1 | Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances which I teach you, to do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, gives you. |
| Deuteronomy 4:5 | Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land where you go in to possess it. |
| Deuteronomy 4:45 | These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances which Moses spoke to the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt, |
| Deuteronomy 5:1 | Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, “Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears today, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke clarifies that when Moses told the people all the words of the Lord, this phrase does not refer only to the Ten Commandments. It includes the entire collection of laws and ordinances given from Exodus chapter 20 through the end of chapter 23.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator distinguishes between "the words" (the direct commands) and "the judgements" (case-by-case decisions), noting that the Decalogue heard by the people is not included here. He suggests that "and the judgements" may be a later redactor's addition to connect the case laws of Exodus 21-22.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Afterwarde Moses came and told the people all the wordes of the Lord, and all the lawes: and all the people answered with one voyce, and said, All the things which the Lord hath said, will we doe.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies the "judgments" here as the judicial laws from the preceding chapters, not the Ten Commandments. He notes the people had already heard God speak the Ten Commandments directly and were terrified, so now they pledge through Moses to obey these civil ordinances with one voice.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the altar and twelve pillars as a visual representation of the covenant parties: the altar symbolized God, the pillars stood for the twelve tribes of Israel, and Moses acted as the mediator between them in this solemn ratification.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch emphasize that the twelve pillars Moses erected were not merely memorials but represented the twelve tribes' presence in the covenant. The altar marked God's presence, and the pillars stood for the people, showing both parties were present for the covenant union.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange treats the covenant ceremony as a communion feast where the blood is not expiatory but symbolizes the people's surrender to God's grace before obedience to the law. He distinguishes the vision of the God of Israel from a direct vision of Jehovah, with the clear sapphire heaven at the feast contrasting with the later fire and cloud of law-giving.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry observes that God called witnesses from Israel to observe His glory and testify to the covenant, strengthening the people's faith through their testimony. He also notes the deliberate order of approach: even those allowed near must first worship from a distance, teaching reverence in every step of communion with God.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley draws attention to the progression from a general pledge of obedience to a specific one. The people had already agreed to be under God’s rule; here Moses asked them to accept the particular laws just delivered, and they did so willingly.