Exodus 19:16-18

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled.

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

18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain^[a] trembled violently.

Exodus 19:16-18 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

• 1. 1 Samuel 2:10; Isaiah 29:6
• 2. S ver 9
• 3. Hebrews 12:18-19; Revelation 4:1
• 4. S Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 13:7; 1 Samuel 14:15; 1 Samuel 28:5; Psalms 99:1; Hebrews 12:21
• 5. S ver 2; Deuteronomy 4:11
• 6. Exodus 20:18; Psalms 104:32; Isaiah 6:4; Revelation 15:8
• 7. S Exodus 3:2; Exodus 24:17; Leviticus 9:24; Deuteronomy 4:11,24,33,36">Deuteronomy 4:11,24,33,36; Deuteronomy 4:11; Deuteronomy 5:4; Deuteronomy 9:3; 1 Kings 18:24,38; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1; Psalms 18:8; Hebrews 12:18
• 8. S Genesis 19:28; Revelation 9:2
• 9. Judges 5:5; 2 Samuel 22:8; Psalms 18:7; Psalms 68:8; Isaiah 2:19; Isaiah 5:25; Isaiah 41:15; Isaiah 64:1; Jeremiah 4:24; Jeremiah 10:10; Micah 1:4; Nahum 1:5; Habakkuk 3:6,10; Haggai 2:6

Footnotes

• [a]. Most Hebrew manuscripts; a few Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint "and all the people"