Exodus 24:10
New International Version
and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky.

New Living Translation
There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself.

English Standard Version
and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.

Berean Standard Bible
and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

King James Bible
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.

New King James Version
and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.

New American Standard Bible
and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

NASB 1995
and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

NASB 1977
and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

Legacy Standard Bible
and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

Amplified Bible
and they saw [a manifestation of] the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, just as clear as the sky itself.

Christian Standard Bible
and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath His feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire stone, as clear as the sky itself.

American Standard Version
and they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the very heaven for clearness.

Contemporary English Version
and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something that looked like a pavement made out of sapphire, and it was as bright as the sky.

English Revised Version
and they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the very heaven for clearness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made out of sapphire as clear and blue as the sky itself.

Good News Translation
and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath his feet was what looked like a pavement of sapphire, as blue as the sky.

International Standard Version
and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky.

Majority Standard Bible
and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

NET Bible
and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear like the sky itself.

New Heart English Bible
They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire-stone, and as it were the body of heaven in its clearness.

World English Bible
They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they see the God of Israel, and under His feet [is] as the work of a pavement of sapphire, and as the substance of the heavens for purity;

Young's Literal Translation
and they see the God of Israel, and under His feet is as the white work of the sapphire, and as the substance of the heavens for purity;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will see the God of Israel: and under his feet as the work of the whiteness of sapphire, and as the body of the heavens for cleanness.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they saw the God of Israel: and under his feet as it were a work of sapphire stone, and as the heaven, when clear.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they saw the God of Israel. And under his feet was something like a work of sapphire stone, or like the sky, when it is serene.

New American Bible
and they beheld the God of Israel. Under his feet there appeared to be sapphire tilework, as clear as the sky itself.

New Revised Standard Version
and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, clear as the color of the sky.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they saw the God of Israel, and under his feet there was as the work of tile of sapphire, and like the color of the sky in purity.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and they saw the God of Israel; and there was under His feet the like of a paved work of sapphire stone, and the like of the very heaven for clearness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they saw the place where the God of Israel stood; and under his feet was as it were a work of sapphire slabs, and as it were the appearance of the firmament of heaven in its purity.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant Sealed
9Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. 11But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 1:26-28
Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. / From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. / The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Revelation 4:2-3
At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. / The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.

Isaiah 6:1-4
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ...

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revelation 21:18-21
The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. / The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, / the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. ...

1 Timothy 6:16
He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Matthew 17:2
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Acts 7:55-56
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. / “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

1 John 1:1-3
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. / And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. / We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Daniel 7:9-10
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. / A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

Psalm 104:2
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,

1 Kings 22:19
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Revelation 1:13-16
and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. / The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. ...

Genesis 32:30
So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”


Treasury of Scripture

And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.

saw

Exodus 3:6
Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Exodus 33:20,23
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live…

Genesis 32:30
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

of a sapphire stone.

Ezekiel 1:26,27
And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it…

Ezekiel 10:1
Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

Revelation 4:3
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

in his clearness

Song of Solomon 6:10
Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?

Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Revelation 1:16
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Jump to Previous
Appeared Body Clear Feet Floor Form Heaven Heavens Israel Itself Jewelled Paved Pavement Purity Sapphire Seemed Skies Sky Something Stone Substance White Work
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Appeared Body Clear Feet Floor Form Heaven Heavens Israel Itself Jewelled Paved Pavement Purity Sapphire Seemed Skies Sky Something Stone Substance White Work
Exodus 24
1. Moses is called up into the mountain
3. The people promise obedience
4. Moses builds an altar, and twelve pillars.
6. He sprinkles the blood of the covenant
9. The glory of God appears
14. Aaron and Hur have the charge of the people
15. Moses goes into the mountain, where he continues forty days and forty nights.














and they saw
The Hebrew word for "saw" is "ra'ah," which implies not just a physical sight but a deeper perception or understanding. This moment is significant because it suggests a rare, direct encounter with the divine. In the context of the Old Testament, seeing God was an extraordinary event, often associated with profound spiritual revelation and transformation. This phrase indicates a moment of divine disclosure, where the leaders of Israel were granted a glimpse of God's glory, reinforcing their faith and commitment.

the God of Israel
This title emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and the nation of Israel. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His role as the protector and guide of His chosen people. The phrase underscores the unique identity of Israel as a nation set apart by God, highlighting the special bond and the responsibilities that come with being God's people. Historically, this encounter would have reinforced the Israelites' understanding of their identity and mission in the world.

Under His feet
The imagery of God's feet is anthropomorphic, helping humans relate to the divine in tangible terms. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the feet were often symbolic of authority and dominion. This phrase suggests God's supreme authority and His transcendence over creation. It also implies a sense of humility and reverence for those who are privileged to witness such a vision, as they are in the presence of the Almighty.

a work like a pavement
The Hebrew word "ma'aseh" for "work" indicates craftsmanship or artistry. This description suggests that what they saw was not random or chaotic but a deliberate and beautiful creation. The pavement signifies stability and permanence, reflecting the unchanging nature of God's presence and His eternal kingdom. This imagery would have been awe-inspiring, conveying the majesty and order of God's realm.

made of sapphire
Sapphire, a precious stone, is often associated with royalty, beauty, and divine favor. In biblical symbolism, sapphire represents purity, wisdom, and heavenly realms. The use of sapphire in this context highlights the splendor and holiness of God's presence. Historically, sapphire was highly valued in ancient cultures, and its mention here would evoke a sense of wonder and reverence among the Israelites.

as clear as the sky itself
This phrase conveys the purity and clarity of the vision. The sky, often seen as a symbol of infinity and divine transcendence, reflects the boundless nature of God's glory. The clarity suggests transparency and truth, indicating that God's revelation is pure and untainted. For the Israelites, this would have been a powerful reminder of God's holiness and the clarity of His covenant promises.

(10) They saw the God of Israel.--Probably, in human form, as Isaiah saw Him (Isaiah 6:1-5), and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:26), and even Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:25). It is not of this appearance that Moses says: "Ye saw no similitude" (Deuteronomy 4:12). The appearance which they saw had "feet."

A paved work of a sapphire stone.--Heb., a work of the clearness of sapphire. The "sapphire" (sappir) of the Pentateuch is probably lapis lazuli.

The body of heaven--i.e., "the very heaven," or "the heaven itself."

Verse 10. - They saw the God of Israel. These words can scarcely mean less than that they saw with their bodily eyes some appearance of the Divine being who had summoned them to his presence for the purpose. Moses, we know, saw a "similitude of God" (Numbers 12:8). Isaiah "saw the Lord sitting upon his throne "(Isaiah 6:1). Ezekiel saw upon the throne "the appearance of a man" (Ezekiel 1:26). It does not follow from Deuteronomy 4:12, 15, that the elders saw no similitude, since in that passage Moses is speaking, not to the elders, but to the people, and referring, not to what occurred at the sacrificial feast after the ratification of the covenant, but to the scene at the giving of the Ten Commandments previously (Exodus 20:1-18). What the form was which the elders saw, we are not told; but as it had "feet," it was probably a human form. It may have been hazy, indefinite, "too dazzling bright for mortal eye" to rest upon. But it was a true "vision of God" - and, as Keil says, "a foretaste of the blessedness of the sight of God in eternity." There was under his feet, as it were, a paved work of a sapphire stone. Rather, "and under his feet was, as it were, a work of clear sapphire." Nothing is said concerning a pavement, but only that below the feet of the figure which they saw was something, which looked as if it were made of bright blue sapphire stone, something as clear and as blue as the blue of heaven. Canon Cook supposes the actual sky to be meant; but the expression, "as it were, the body of heaven," or "like the very heaven," makes this impossible. A thing is not like itself.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and they saw
וַיִּרְא֕וּ (way·yir·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

Under
וְתַ֣חַת (wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

His feet
רַגְלָ֗יו (raḡ·lāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

was a work
כְּמַעֲשֵׂה֙ (kə·ma·‘ă·śêh)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property

like a pavement
לִבְנַ֣ת (liḇ·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3840: Whiteness, transparency

made of sapphire,
הַסַּפִּ֔יר (has·sap·pîr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5601: A gem, the sapphire

as clear
לָטֹֽהַר׃ (lā·ṭō·har)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2892: Brightness, ceremonially purification

as the sky itself.
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky


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OT Law: Exodus 24:10 They saw the God of Israel (Exo. Ex)
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