Skip to content
Scripture Mapping

Exodus 19

World English Bible

WEB

1In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 3Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. 5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” 7Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Yahweh commanded him. 8All the people answered together, and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh. 9Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh. 10Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11and be ready for the third day; for on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.” 16On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18All of Mount Sinai smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice. 20Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish. 22Let the priests also, who come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break out on them.” 23Moses said to Yahweh, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.’” 24Yahweh said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to Yahweh, lest he break out against them.” 25So Moses went down to the people, and told them.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Exodus Chapter 19 marks a pivotal moment in the journey of the Israelites as they arrive at Mount Sinai, where they prepare to enter into a covenant with God. The chapter begins with the Israelites arriving in the wilderness of Sinai, having journeyed from Egypt. God calls Moses to the mountain, where He instructs him to remind the people of their deliverance from slavery and His covenantal relationship with them. This sets the stage for the giving of the Law, emphasizing that the Israelites are to be a treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (#Israel, #Covenant).

As God prepares to reveal Himself to the people, He commands Moses to consecrate the people, instructing them to wash their clothes and be ready for the third day when the Lord will descend upon the mountain in a thick cloud. The chapter describes the awe-inspiring scene of God's presence, with thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet, which instills fear and reverence in the hearts of the Israelites. The boundaries set around the mountain signify the holiness of God and the need for the people to approach Him with caution. This chapter emphasizes the seriousness of the covenant relationship and the call to holiness that God places upon His people, preparing them for the giving of the Ten Commandments in the following chapters.

Study

14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Exodus 24:3v8In Exodus 24:3, the people of Israel affirm their commitment to obey God's commands, echoing their earlier promise in Exodus 19:8 when they agreed to the covenant terms presented by Moses.
  2. Numbers 16:3v6In Numbers 16:3, Korah and his followers challenge Moses and Aaron, claiming that all the congregation is holy. This echoes Exodus 19:6, where God declares Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, highlighting the tension between God's calling and human rebellion.
  3. Deuteronomy 26:18v5Deuteronomy 26:18 declares Israel as God's treasured possession. Exodus 19:5-6 similarly describes Israel as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, emphasizing their unique relationship with God and their calling to be set apart.
  4. Deuteronomy 27:9-10v5Deuteronomy 27:9-10 emphasizes the identity of Israel as God's people and their obligation to obey His commandments. This echoes Exodus 19:5-6, where God declares Israel to be His treasured possession and a kingdom of priests, contingent on their obedience.
  5. Deuteronomy 28:1v5Deuteronomy 28:1 promises blessings for obedience to God's commandments, echoing the covenantal promise in Exodus 19:5-6 where God calls Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation if they obey His voice.
  6. Deuteronomy 32:9v5Deuteronomy 32:9 states that the LORD's portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance. Exodus 19:5 similarly describes Israel as God's treasured possession.
  7. Joshua 24:24v8In Joshua 24:24, the people affirm their commitment to serve the Lord, similar to the Israelites' response in Exodus 19:8 when they agree to obey all that the Lord has spoken.
  8. 1 Samuel 6:20v211 Samuel 6:20 reflects the fear of the people of Beth-shemesh, questioning who can stand before the LORD, similar to the fear of the Israelites at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:21.
  9. Nehemiah 9:13v20Nehemiah 9:13 mentions God giving the law at Mount Sinai, which is described in Exodus 19:20 when God descends on the mountain to speak with Moses.
  10. Psalms 18:9v18Psalm 18:9 describes God coming down with smoke and fire, reminiscent of God's descent on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:18.
  11. Psalms 97:2v9Psalm 97:2 describes clouds and thick darkness surrounding God, similar to the manifestation of God's presence on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:9.
  12. Psalms 99:1v16Psalm 99:1 speaks of the LORD reigning and the earth trembling, which echoes the scene at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:16-19 where God's presence causes the mountain to tremble.
  13. Psalms 114:4v18Psalm 114:4 describes the mountains skipping, which can be connected to the trembling of Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:18 when God descended upon it.
  14. Isaiah 31:5v4Isaiah 31:5 uses the imagery of birds hovering to describe God's protection over Jerusalem. This is reminiscent of Exodus 19:4, where God describes carrying Israel on eagles' wings, symbolizing His protective care.
  15. Ezekiel 1:4v18Ezekiel 1:4 describes a whirlwind and fire, reminiscent of the theophany at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:18, where God’s presence is accompanied by smoke and fire.
  16. 1 Peter 2:9v51 Peter 2:9 describes believers as a 'royal priesthood,' echoing God's words to Israel in Exodus 19:5-6, highlighting the continuity of God's chosen people.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

Your study

Take it with you

This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.

Download the analysisDownload it with your notes and highlights