Exodus 19:4-14

4 You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles' wings and brought you to me.
5 So now, if you faithfully obey me and stay true to my covenant, you will be my most precious possession out of all the peoples, since the whole earth belongs to me.
6 You will be a kingdom of priests for me and a holy nation. These are the words you should say to the Israelites."
7 So Moses came down, called together the people's elders, and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him.
8 The people all responded with one voice: "Everything that the LORD has said we will do." Moses reported to the LORD what the people said.

Preparing for a divine encounter

9 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I'm about to come to you in a thick cloud in order that the people will hear me talking with you so that they will always trust you." Moses told the LORD what the people said,
10 and the LORD said to Moses: "Go to the people and take today and tomorrow to make them holy. Have them wash their clothes.
11 Be ready for the third day, because on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai for all the people to see.
12 Set up a fence for the people all around and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch any part of it.' Anyone who even touches the mountain must be put to death.
13 No one should touch anyone who has touched it, or they must be either stoned to death or shot with arrows. Whether an animal or a human being, they must not be allowed to live. Only when the ram's horn sounds may they go up on the mountain."
14 So Moses went down the mountain to the people. He made sure the people were holy and that they washed their clothes.

Exodus 19:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 19

In this chapter we have an account of the coming of the children of Israel to Mount Sinai, Ex 19:1,2, of the covenant made with them there, the proposal on the part of God, and their acceptance of it, Ex 19:3-8, the previous notice God gave three days before of his appearance on the mount, the orders for their preparation to meet him, and the execution of them, Ex 19:9-15, the awful and tremendous appearance of God upon the mount, Ex 19:6-20 and the strict charge given, that neither people nor priests should come near and gaze, only Moses and Aaron with him were to come up, bounds being set to prevent the rest, Ex 19:21-24, and the chapter is closed with observing, that Moses went down from the mount, and delivered to the people what the Lord spoke to and by him, Ex 19:25.

Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible