Exodus 6:27 is a short genealogical note that identifies the two men God sent to Pharaoh: Moses and Aaron. In plain terms, the verse says that these are the men who spoke to Pharaoh about releasing the Israelites from Egypt. It is a summary sentence that ties the family records of verses 14 to 26 back to the central story of the exodus.
The verse is written by the narrator of Exodus, traditionally attributed to Moses himself, and it is addressed to the readers of the book rather than to a single speaker in the scene. Its subject is the identity of the two brothers who stood before Pharaoh.
These are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron.
Exodus 6:27 (WEB)
What Exodus 6:27 Means
The phrase “these are those who spoke to Pharaoh” points back to the commission God gave in verses 10 to 13 and 28 to 30. Moses and Aaron were not self-appointed. They were given words to speak and a task to carry out, and this verse confirms that they were the ones who actually went to the king.
The purpose clause, “to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt,” names the goal of those conversations. Everything Moses and Aaron said to Pharaoh was aimed at one outcome: freedom for God’s people. The verse does not describe how Pharaoh responded, and it does not promise that the negotiations would be easy. It simply records who the messengers were and what their mission involved.
The closing words, “these are that Moses and Aaron,” repeat the names for emphasis. The repetition is a common feature of Hebrew genealogy and record-keeping, where a family line is restated to make the identity of key figures unmistakable. What the verse offers is clarity about the people God chose, not a guarantee about the outcome of their work.
The Context of Exodus 6:27
Exodus 6:27 sits inside a passage (verses 14 to 27) that lists the heads of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. The genealogy moves quickly through the sons of Jacob’s first three sons and then narrows its focus to the Levites, the family that would produce Moses and Aaron. Verse 27 is the point where the list stops and the narrative returns to the brothers, reminding the reader why the family record was included at all.
The verses that come just before and after the verse matter for reading it well. In verses 28 to 30, God speaks to Moses again and Moses protests that he has “uncircumcised lips,” a sign of his sense of inadequacy. Verse 27 therefore frames the two men as the appointed representatives even while Moses still doubts his ability to speak, which helps explain why Aaron is so prominent in the chapters that follow.
Key Phrases in Exodus 6:27
Exodus 4:14
The LORD’s anger burned against Moses, and he said, “What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he comes out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
(WEB)
This verse records God’s response to Moses’ reluctance, promising that Aaron would speak for him. It explains the partnership that Exodus 6:27 later confirms, showing that God had already planned for the two brothers to work together before they stood before Pharaoh.
Exodus 7:7
Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
(WEB)
This verse states the ages of Moses and Aaron when they went to Pharaoh, grounding the events of the exodus in real time. It connects directly to Exodus 6:27 by showing the two men at the moment the verse describes, now actively carrying out the mission God gave them.
A Short Prayer From Exodus 6:27
Lord, you chose Moses and Aaron to stand before Pharaoh and speak for your people, even when Moses felt unready for the task. Help me to trust that the work you give me is yours to direct, and that you do not call people who are unable to be used by you. When I feel too small for what lies ahead, remind me that you go before me and that you place good people beside me. Give me courage to speak what is true and patience to wait for your timing. Amen.
