Exodus 7:6 tells us that Moses and Aaron obeyed God exactly as they had been instructed, doing what the LORD asked without changing it. The verse is a short note of compliance in the middle of a larger scene, and it shows that the two brothers simply carried out God’s word. It is spoken by the narrator of Exodus, and it describes Moses and Aaron acting in front of Pharaoh in Egypt.
Moses and Aaron did so. As the LORD commanded them, so they did.
Exodus 7:6 (WEB)
What Exodus 7:6 Means
The verse begins with “Moses and Aaron did so,” which tells you that the two men took action rather than just talking about it. The phrase “As the LORD commanded them” makes clear where their instructions came from. They were not improvising a plan or making a bold gesture on their own; they were receiving direction from God and passing it along to Pharaoh. The closing words, “so they did,” repeat the point with plain simplicity: their obedience matched God’s command.
The verse does not promise that Pharaoh will listen, nor does it describe how the coming events will turn out. It also does not explain every detail of what God intended. What it does give you is a clear picture of faithful action following a clear word from God, with no need for every outcome to be known in advance.
The Context of Exodus 7:6
Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses and tells the story of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The book was written for the people of Israel, who needed to remember how the LORD had rescued them and formed them into a nation. Chapter 7 marks the beginning of the confrontation with Pharaoh, where God announces that Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened and that signs and judgments will follow.
The verses just before Exodus 7:6 explain that God would bring out his people through great acts of judgment, so that the Egyptians would know that he is the LORD. The verses just after show the first instruction about the rod turning into a serpent. Read in this setting, Exodus 7:6 is not a stand-alone statement of obedience but a hinge between God’s announced plan and its first visible step, which makes the brothers’ faithfulness an important part of how the story moves forward.
Key Phrases in Exodus 7:6
Joshua 1:9
Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
(WEB)
This verse also calls God’s people to act with courage because the LORD is present with them. Where Exodus 7:6 shows obedience in a specific moment, Joshua 1:9 gives the reason that makes such obedience possible, namely the steady presence of God wherever his people go.
Hebrews 11:8
By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.
(WEB)
This passage describes Abraham leaving his home because God called him, even without knowing where he was going. It shows the same pattern found in Exodus 7:6, where faithful people respond to God’s command and trust him with the details.
A Short Prayer From Exodus 7:6
Lord, you have given me clear direction in your word and in my conscience, even when I cannot see the whole path ahead. Help me to act faithfully on what you have shown me, as Moses and Aaron did in their day. Give me courage to take the next step without demanding every answer first, and steady my heart when the results are uncertain. Let my obedience be simple and sincere, resting in your faithfulness. Amen.
