Exodus 7:7

7 Forsooth Moses was of fourscore years, and Aaron of fourscore years and three, when they spake to Pharaoh.

Exodus 7:7 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 7:7

And Moses was eighty years old
At this time, which is observed partly to show how long Israel had been afflicted in Egypt; for their great troubles and miseries began about the time of the birth of Moses, or a little before, as appears from the above history; and partly to show the patience and forbearance of God with the Egyptians, and how just and righteous were his judgments on them; with this perfectly agrees Stephen's account of the age of Moses, ( Acts 7:23 Acts 7:30 ) and Aaron eighty three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh; so that they were men that had had a large experience of things, and had been long training up for the service designed to be done by them; they were men of wisdom and prudence, of sedate and composed countenances, and fit to appear before a king, whose age and venerable aspect might command attention to them. Aben Ezra observes, that

``in all the Scripture there is no mention of any prophets that prophesied in their old age but these, because their excellency was greater than all the prophets.''

By this it appears that Aaron was three years older than Moses. A Jewish chronologer says F14, that it is affirmed in an exposition of theirs, that Aaron prophesied to the Israelites in Egypt eighty years, which is making him to be a very young prophet when he first entered into the office. The Arabic writers F15 say, Miriam was at this time eighty seven, so was seven years older than Moses, and four years older than Aaron; see ( Exodus 2:4 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F14 Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 7. 1.
F15 Patricides, p. 26. apud Hottinger. p. 415.

Exodus 7:7 In-Context

5 and [the] Egyptians shall know, that I am the Lord, which have held forth mine hand on Egypt, and have led out of the midst of them the sons of Israel. (and then the Egyptians shall know, that I am the Lord, when I have stretched forth my hand against Egypt, and have led the Israelites out of their midst.)
6 And so Moses did and Aaron; as the Lord commanded, so they did. (And so Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded; yea, so they did.)
7 Forsooth Moses was of fourscore years, and Aaron of fourscore years and three, when they spake to Pharaoh.
8 And the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron,
9 When Pharaoh shall say to you, Show ye signs to us, thou shalt say to Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast forth it before Pharaoh, and be it turned into a serpent. (When Pharaoh shall say to you, Show ye signs to us, thou shalt say to Aaron, Take thy staff, and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it shall be turned into a serpent.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.