What Does Exodus 34:23 Mean in the King James?

Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.

Exodus 34:23 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Hebrew for “appear” comes from “see,” so this gathering brings the people before the LORD as those who are seen.

THE MEANING

This verse sets a recurring rhythm before you: all the males are to appear before the LORD, the God of Israel, three times in the year. The Hebrew verb carries the sense of being seen, so the gathering places them in the LORD’s presence as visible participants.

THE ROOT

יֵרָאֶה

yērāʾeh

GROWS FROM

ראה

To see, look, or be seen.

The verb translated “appear” is a form of ⁨רָאָה⁩ (ra’ah, to see) that can mean “be seen.” Joined to the phrase “before the face of the LORD,” it presents the gathering as more than arrival: the people come into the LORD’s presence as those made visible.

ALSO GROWS

ra’ah: To see or look.

רָאָה

This is the root itself: the act of seeing underlies the people’s appearing before the LORD.

mar’eh: Appearance, sight, or vision.

מַרְאֶה

This branch names what is seen, extending the root’s sense from seeing to visibility.

ro’eh: One who sees; a seer.

רֹאֶה

This branch names the one who sees, showing how the same root holds both the act of seeing and the one who sees.

THE PATTERN

Worship takes shape as recurring, embodied gathering before God.

Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

Exodus 23:17 · KJVThe same appointed rhythm calls all the males to appear before the LORD three times each year.

Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

Deuteronomy 16:16 · KJVThe recurring appearance is tied to chosen times and a concrete gathering before God.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25 · KJVThe assembly remains a shared, recurring practice in which people meet and encourage one another.

THE THREAD

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 12:7 · KJV

Both verses use a form of ⁨רָאָה⁩ (ra’ah, to see): here the people appear before the LORD; there the LORD appears to Abram. The shared root holds both directions of visibility within an encounter.

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