Exodus 19:1-6

Israel at Mount Sinai

1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they 1came into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 They set out from 2Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before 3the mountain,
3 while 4Moses went up to God. 5The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
4 6You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how 7I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be 8my treasured possession among all peoples, for 9all the earth is mine;
6 and you shall be to me a 10kingdom of priests and 11a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

Exodus 19:1-6 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.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Numbers 33:15
  • 2. Exodus 17:1, 8
  • 3. See Exodus 3:1
  • 4. Exodus 20:21; [Acts 7:38]
  • 5. Exodus 3:4
  • 6. Deuteronomy 29:2
  • 7. Deuteronomy 32:11, 12; Isaiah 63:9; Revelation 12:14
  • 8. Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 26:18; Psalms 135:4; Malachi 3:17; Titus 2:14
  • 9. Exodus 9:29; Deuteronomy 10:14; Job 41:11; Psalms 24:1; Psalms 50:12; 1 Corinthians 10:26
  • 10. 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6
  • 11. Leviticus 20:26; Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:21; Deuteronomy 26:19; Deuteronomy 28:9; Isaiah 62:12; 1 Peter 2:9
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.