Exodus 19:16-25

16 And it came to pass on the third day when the morning came, that there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud upon the mount and the voice of the shofar {ram’s horn} exceeding loud, so that all the people that were in the camp trembled.

17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the lower part of the mount.

18 And all Mount Sinai smoked because the LORD had descended upon it in fire, and its smoke ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

19 And the voice of the shofar sounded long and waxed louder and louder; Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

20 And the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mount, and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount, and Moses went up.

21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people lest they break through the bounds to gaze upon the LORD, and many of them perish.

22 And also let the priests who come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves lest the LORD break forth upon them.

23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for thou hast charged us, saying, Set bounds about the mount and sanctify it.

24 And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou and Aaron with thee, but let not the priests and the people break through the bounds to come up unto the LORD lest he break forth upon them.

25 So Moses went down unto the people and spoke unto them.

Exodus 19:16-25 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.