Exodus 3:16 - Exposition

Gather the elders . It is generally thought that we are to understand by "the elders" not so much the more aged men, as these who bore a certain official rank and position among their brethren, the heads of the various houses ( Exodus 6:14 , Exodus 6:25 ; Exodus 11:1-10 :21), who exercised a certain authority even during the worst times of the oppression. Moses was first to prevail, on them to acknowledge his mission, and was then to go with them to Pharaoh and make his representation ( Exodus 3:18 ). I have surely visited you . The words are a repetition of those used by Joseph on his deathbed ( Genesis 50:24 ), and may be taken to mean, " I have done as Joseph prophesied— I have made his words good thus far. Expect, therefore, the completion of what he promised.''