Exodus 19:10-20

10 So the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people, and tell them they have two days to get ready. They must set themselves apart as holy. Have them wash their clothes

11 and be ready by the day after tomorrow. On that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.

12 Mark off a boundary around the mountain for the people, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even touch it. Those who touch the mountain must be put to death.

13 No one should touch them. They must be stoned or shot with arrows. No matter whether it's an animal or a person, it must not live. The people may go up the mountain [only] when the ram's horn sounds a long blast."

14 After Moses went down the mountain to the people, he had them get ready, and they washed their clothes.

15 Then Moses said to the people, "Be ready two days from now. Don't disqualify yourselves by having sexual intercourse."

16 On the morning of the second day, there was thunder and lightning with a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram's horn [was heard]. All the people in the camp shook with fear.

17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had come down on it in fire. Smoke rose from the mountain like the smoke from a kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.

19 As the sound of the horn grew louder and louder, Moses was speaking, and the voice of God answered him.

20 The LORD came down on top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.

Exodus 19:10-20 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.