BibleWord.ai› Bible› Exodus› Chapter 19› Verse 4

Exodus 19:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 19:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles` wings, and brought you unto myself.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles` wings, and brought you unto myself.
Exodus 19:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1In 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.
2And when they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mount.
3And Moses went up unto God, and Jehovah called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:
4Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles` wings, and brought you unto myself.
5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine:
6and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
7And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Jehovah commanded him.
← Exodus 19:3Exodus 19:5 →
← Full Chapter 19 Exodus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, etc.] The plagues he brought upon them in Egypt, and the destruction of them at the Red sea; these things they were eyewitnesses of, and needed no other proof or evidence to convince and assure them of them, and therefore must be under obligation to attend to what he was about to recommend unto them, for which reason this is observed: and [how] I bare you on eagles’ wings; that is, as on eagles’ wings, the note of similitude being wanting, but to be supplied; for it cannot be thought that they were literally bore on eagles’ wings; but as that creature is reported to be very affectionate to its young, and careful of it, and, as is said, only to one;…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“On eagles’ wings - Both in the law Deuteronomy 32:11 and in the Gospel Matthew 23:37, the Church is compared to fledgelings which the mother cherishes and protects under her wings: but in the law that mother is an eagle, in the Gospels “a hen”; thus shadowing forth the diversity of administration under each covenant: the one of power, which God manifested when He brought His people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and led them into the promised land; the other of grace, when Christ came in humility and took the form of a servant and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. Compare also Revelation 12:14. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on Eagle's wings - An high expression of the wonderful tenderness God shewed for them. It notes great speed; God not only came upon the wing for their deliverance, but he hastened them out, as it were upon the wing. Also that he did it with great ease, with the strength as well as with the swiftness of an eagle. They that faint not, nor are weary, are said to mount up with wings as eagles, Isa 40:31. Especially it notes God's particular care of them, and affection to them. Even Egypt was the nest in which these young ones were first formed as the embryo of a nation: when by the increase of their numbers they grew to some…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“seen: Exod. 7:1-14:31; Deu 4:9, Deu 4:33-36, Deu 29:2; Isa 63:9 I bare you: Deu 32:11, Deu 32:12; Isa 40:31, Isa 63:9; Rev 12:14 Exodus 19:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Exodus 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification