And the LORD said to Moses means that “The LORD answered” (Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version), and it introduces the following quote. Pass on before the people is literally “Go through [from one side to the other] to the faces of the people.” It means “Go on ahead of the people” (Good News Translation). Taking with you some of the elders of Israel means “have some of the leaders accompany you [singular].” Some of the elders of Israel is literally “from the elders of Israel.” They were the senior tribesmen who were recognized as leaders by the people. (See also 18.12.) It will be helpful in many languages to place the clause, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, at the beginning of Yahweh’s answer; for example, “Take some of the leaders with you and go ahead of the rest of the people” (Contemporary English Version).

And take in your hand the rod may be stated as Good News Translation has done, “Take along the stick,” since in your hand is understood. This was the rod or “staff” (New Revised Standard Version) that Moses had used since 4.2. It could have been a shepherd’s staff or simply a walking stick. With which you struck the Nile is literally “which you struck by it the river,” meaning “which you used to strike the Nile River.” The you is singular, suggesting a slight contradiction with 7.20, where Aaron seems to have been the one. (See the comment there.) And go is literally “and you [singular] will go.” In many languages it will be unnatural style to have the word go at this point. So it may be placed more naturally in the previous sentence, “go ahead of the people,” as Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version have done.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .