Shemot 19:19

19 And when the sound of the shofar was moving [closer], and grew louder and louder, Moshe spoke, and HaElohim answered him in thunder.

Shemot 19:19 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 19:19

And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long
Not in one continued tone, as before, ( Exodus 19:13 ) , where a different word is used, and when it decreased, and was about to cease, which was to summon the people to attend; but now they were come to the foot of the mount, and this sounding was a preparation to the giving of the law unto them, and was not one continued even tone: but waxed louder and louder; or, "going, and exceeding strong"; or, "strengthening itself exceedingly" ^F24; it went on to an high pitch, until it was exceeding vehement and strong, and so sonorous as scarce to be bore:

Moses spake;
what he said is not here recorded; it is highly probable, as has been observed by some, that he uttered those words related of him in ( Hebrews 12:21 ) "I exceedingly fear and quake": such an impression did this loud and strong voice of the trumpet make upon him:

and God answered him by a voice;
a still and gentle one, in order to encourage and comfort him; and so the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it,

``with a pleasant and audible voice, and with delightful words.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 (dam qzxw Klwh) (probainousai iscuroterai sfodra) , Sept. "iens et fortificans se valde", Montanus; "roborans se", Vatablus; "quum pergeret et invalesceret valde", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Shemot 19:19 In-Context

17 And Moshe led HaAm forth out of the machaneh to encounter HaElohim; and they stood at the foot of HaHar.

18 And Mt. Sinai was altogether smoking, because Hashem descended upon it in eish; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of the furnace, and kol HaHar shook violently.

19 And when the sound of the shofar was moving [closer], and grew louder and louder, Moshe spoke, and HaElohim answered him in thunder.

20 And Hashem came down upon Mt. Sinai, onto the top of HaHar; and Hashem summoned Moshe up to the top of HaHar; and Moshe went up.

21 And Hashem said unto Moshe, Go down, warn HaAm, lest they push through toward Hashem to gaze, and many of them fall perishing.