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Exodus 3:16
ESV Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt,
NIV "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.
NASB Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared to me, saying, 'I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt.
CSB "Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt.
NLT Now go and call together all the elders of Israel. Tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your ancestors — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — has appeared to me. He told me, 'I have been watching closely, and I see how the Egyptians are treating you.
KJV Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
NKJV Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt;

What does Exodus 3:16 mean?

God is speaking to Moses out of the miraculous burning bush (Exodus 3:1–4). In response to Moses' initial fears and doubts, God provided reassurance and clearly stated His identity. This included the crucial identification of God with the term "I am," and the title of Lord, typically presented using small capitals in English, and sometimes displayed as Yahweh or Jehovah (Exodus 3:11–15).

Moses is commissioned with three commands. First, he must return to Egypt (Exodus 2:14–15) to fulfill this mission (Exodus 3:10).

Second, Moses was to gather the "elders of Israel." The concept of an "elder" generally refers to an experienced and reliable authority, which may be formal or informal. This is the first mention of these elders in Scripture; it seems Israel's use of elders began during their slavery. This governing body is mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament, including multiple in Exodus (Exodus 3:18; 4:29; 12:21; 17:5, 6; 18:12; 19:7; 24:1, 9, 14).

Third, Moses is to give these elders a specific message (Exodus 3:17). The God of Israel's patriarchs knows about His people's suffering in Egypt. God had not forgotten or forsaken them. The next verse will continue with God's promise regarding freedom from slavery.
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