Exodus 19:1-9

Moses on Sinai

1 1In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of 2Sinai.
2 When they set out from 3Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of 4the mountain.
3 Moses went up to God, and 5the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:
4 '6You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on 7eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself.
5 'Now then, 8if you will indeed obey My voice and 9keep My covenant, then you shall be 10My own possession among all the peoples, for 11all the earth is Mine;
6 and you shall be to Me 12a kingdom of priests and 13a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
7 14So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him.
8 15All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.
9 The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in 16a thick cloud, so that the 17people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.

Exodus 19:1-9 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 17

  • 1. Exodus 12:6, 51; Exodus 16:1
  • 2. Deuteronomy 1:6; Deuteronomy 4:10, 15; Deuteronomy 5:2
  • 3. Exodus 17:1; Numbers 33:15
  • 4. Exodus 3:1, 12; Exodus 18:5
  • 5. Exodus 3:4
  • 6. Deuteronomy 29:2
  • 7. Deuteronomy 32:11; Revelation 12:14
  • 8. Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 5:2
  • 9. Psalms 78:10
  • 10. Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 26:18; Psalms 135:4; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9
  • 11. Exodus 9:29; Deuteronomy 10:14; Job 41:11; Psalms 50:12; 1 Corinthians 10:26
  • 12. 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10
  • 13. Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:21; Deuteronomy 26:19; Isaiah 62:12
  • 14. Exodus 4:29, 30
  • 15. Exodus 4:31; Exodus 24:3, 7; Deuteronomy 5:27; Deuteronomy 26:17
  • 16. Exodus 19:16; Exodus 24:15, 16; Deuteronomy 4:11; Psalms 99:7
  • 17. Deuteronomy 4:12, 36

Footnotes 2

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