Exodus 19:3-8

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:

4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

6 you^[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak.

8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.

Exodus 19:3-8 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. Exodus 20:21
• 2. S Exodus 3:4; S Exodus 25:22; Acts 7:38
• 3. Deuteronomy 29:2; Joshua 24:7
• 4. Deuteronomy 32:11; Psalms 103:5; Isaiah 40:31; Jeremiah 4:13; Jeremiah 48:40; Revelation 12:14; Isaiah 63:9
• 5. Deuteronomy 33:12; Isaiah 31:5; Ezekiel 16:6
• 6. Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 6:3; Psalms 78:10; Jeremiah 7:23
• 7. S Genesis 17:9; S Exodus 3:1; Deuteronomy 5:2
• 8. S Exodus 8:22; S Exodus 34:9; S Deuteronomy 8:1; S Titus 2:14; Deuteronomy 14:2; Psalms 135:4
• 9. S Exodus 9:29; Deuteronomy 10:14; 1 Corinthians 10:26
• 10. Isaiah 61:6; Isaiah 66:21; S 1 Peter 2:5
• 11. Genesis 18:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 26:19; Deuteronomy 28:9; Deuteronomy 29:13; Deuteronomy 33:3; Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 62:12; Jeremiah 2:3; Amos 3:2
• 12. Exodus 18:12; Leviticus 4:15; Leviticus 9:1; Numbers 16:25
• 13. Exodus 4:30; 1 Samuel 8:10
• 14. Exodus 24:3,7; Deuteronomy 5:27; Deuteronomy 26:17

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "possession, for the whole earth is mine. " 6"You"