Psalms 105:26-28
He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham. He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
While we often think of Moses and Aaron as chosen by God, this verse highlights that God sent them. This isn't just a passive acknowledgment of their roles; it emphasizes that their mission and authority stemmed directly from God's active commission, not their own initiative or inherent qualifications.
This verse appears in a psalm that recounts God's mighty acts in delivering Israel from slavery in Egypt. Following the Egyptians' initial hatred and subtle oppression of God's people, God intervenes by sending Moses and Aaron. These two chosen leaders were divinely commissioned to confront Pharaoh, declare God's will, and enact the miraculous signs that would ultimately lead to Israel's freedom.
Why does the Psalmist specifically mention Moses as God's 'servant' and Aaron as 'chosen'?
This verse highlights a crucial theological point: God doesn't leave His people without leadership, especially in times of great need. The specific titles given to Moses and Aaron aren't accidental.
God's Servant
Moses is called God's 'servant.' This signifies his absolute loyalty and obedience to God's will. He wasn't acting on his own initiative but was a faithful messenger and executor of God's commands, even when facing immense opposition.
God's Chosen
Aaron is identified as 'whom he had chosen.' This emphasizes that his position wasn't due to merit or family lineage alone, but a direct selection by God. This divine appointment guaranteed his authority and the legitimacy of his role alongside Moses.
Together, these descriptions underscore that the liberation of Israel was not a human endeavor but a divinely orchestrated event, initiated and empowered by God through His chosen representatives.
When Israel cried out in Egypt, God didn't just hear them; He actively intervened through specific individuals. What does this tell us about God's plan?
Psalms 105 looks back at the Exodus as a pivotal moment, not just of rescue, but of God demonstrating His power and faithfulness.
God's Awareness and Action
The text implies that God saw Israel's suffering and responded. The sending of Moses and Aaron was a direct answer to their cries and a fulfillment of His promises. It wasn't a reaction to human effort but a proactive step in His redemptive plan.
The Grand Figure of Redemption
Commentators note that this deliverance was a 'pledge and figure of our redemption by Jesus Christ.' This means the historical event in Egypt was meant to point forward to a greater salvation. The same God who sent Moses and Aaron to liberate His people then, sent His Son, Jesus, to liberate us from sin and bondage.
Understand the original words
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A servant of God is one who is entirely devoted to the service, mission, and will of the Lord. In this context, it emphasizes Moses' role as a faithful agent of God's redemptive work.
bachar · Hebrew Verb
To be 'chosen' by God signifies being set apart by divine sovereign election for a specific purpose or ministry. It highlights that Aaron's role was not self-appointed but divinely ordained.
oth · Hebrew Noun
Biblical signs are miraculous events or portents intended to authenticate a messenger or a message, serving as evidence of God’s authority and power to those who witness them.
mopheth · Hebrew Noun
Miracles are extraordinary interventions of God into the natural order of the world, demonstrating His sovereign control over creation and His power to deliver His people.
This verse highlights God's sovereign choice of leaders, Moses and Aaron, to execute His plan for Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage, emphasizing their role as God's chosen instruments.
c. 1500 BC
Israelites Enslaved in Egypt
Following a period of favor, the Israelites are enslaved by the Egyptians, facing harsh labor and oppression.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Moses' Divine Calling
God appears to Moses in the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Aaron is appointed to assist Moses.
c. 1446 BC
The Ten Plagues Begin
God sends a series of devastating plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
After the final plague, Pharaoh relents, and the Israelites depart from Egypt, beginning their journey to the Promised Land.
This passage directly parallels God's commissioning of Moses, highlighting His initiative in sending Moses as His servant for the deliverance of Israel.
Deuteronomy 18:15It speaks of God raising up a prophet like Moses, emphasizing Moses' unique role as God's chosen servant and spokesperson, a role echoed in this Psalm.
Hebrews 3:1-2This New Testament passage explicitly refers to Jesus as superior to Moses, but it also affirms Moses' faithful service to God, aligning with his description in Psalm 105.
Jeremiah 1:5Similar to Moses, the prophet Jeremiah was chosen and sanctified by God before birth for a specific mission, illustrating the principle of God selecting and sending His servants.
Acts 7:35Stephen recounts the story of Moses, mentioning that God sent him as both ruler and deliverer, reinforcing the dual role of servant and chosen leader that Psalm 105 points to.
bensonPsalms 105:26: "He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen."
Psalm 105:26-27 . He sent Moses, &c. — “When the tyranny and oppression of Pharaoh were at the highest, and Israel cried unto Jehovah because of the bondage, he remembered his promise to Abraham, and sent Moses, with Aaron, to effect that mighty deliverance, which was to be the grand pledge and figure of our redemption by Jesus Christ.” They showed his signs among them — Hebrew, דברי אתותיו , dibree othothaiv, the words o…
pulpitPsalms 105:26: "He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen."
Verse 26. - He sent Moses his servant. The mission of Moses is related in Exodus 3:10-18; Exodus 4:1-9. And Aaron whom he had chosen. (For Aaron's mission, see Exodus 4:14-17.)
While we often think of Moses and Aaron as chosen by God, this verse highlights that God sent them. This isn't just a passive acknowledgment of their roles; it emphasizes that their mission and authority stemmed directly from God's active commission, not their own initiative or inherent qualifications.
This verse appears in a psalm that recounts God's mighty acts in delivering Israel from slavery in Egypt. Following the Egyptians' initial hatred and subtle oppression of God's people, God intervenes by sending Moses and Aaron. These two chosen leaders were divinely commissioned to confront Pharaoh, declare God's will, and enact the miraculous signs that would ultimately lead to Israel's freedom.
This verse appears in a psalm that recounts God's mighty acts in delivering Israel from slavery in Egypt. Following the Egyptians' initial hatred and subtle oppression of God's people, God intervenes by sending Moses and Aaron. These two chosen leaders were divinely commissioned to confront Pharaoh, declare God's will, and enact the miraculous signs that would ultimately lead to Israel's freedom.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 105:26-28 is available in the Sola app.
Cham · Hebrew Noun
A poetic and historical designation for Egypt, tracing its lineage back to Ham, the son of Noah; it emphasizes the context of the exodus narrative.
marah · Hebrew Verb
In the Bible, rebellion refers to an act of willful defiance against the revealed will or authority of God. To 'not rebel' signifies total obedience and adherence to divine commands.
dabar · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the plagues, this refers to the divine decree or instruction given by God to His messengers, which serves as the active force behind the events that follow.
"He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham. He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words." — While we often think of Moses and Aaron as chosen by God, this verse highlights that God sent them. This isn't just a passive acknowledgment of their roles; it emphasizes that their mission and a…
