Exodus 19:11

11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Exodus 19:11 in Other Translations

KJV
11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
ESV
11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
NLT
11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.
MSG
11 so that on the third day they'll be fully prepared, because on the third day God will come down on Mount Sinai and make his presence known to all the people.
CSB
11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Exodus 19:11 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 19:11

And be ready against the third day
Not the third day of the month, but the third day from hence, this being the fourth, and the morrow the fifth, and the third day, the day following that, the sixth, on which day it is generally agreed by the Jews that the law was given, (See Gill on Exodus 19:16)

for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the
people upon Mount Sinai;
which must be understood, consistent with his omnipresence, and is only expressive of some visible display of his power, and of some sensible token of his presence to the people; he was now upon it in the pillar of cloud, but then he would appear in another manner, and descend in a thick cloud and fire, which all the people would see, though they could not see the similitude of anything in it.

Exodus 19:11 In-Context

9 The LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.
10 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes
11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.
13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. ver 16
  • 2. S Genesis 11:5
  • 3. ver 3,20; S Exodus 3:1; Exodus 24:16; Exodus 31:18; Exodus 34:2,4,29,32; Leviticus 7:38; Leviticus 26:46; Leviticus 27:34; Numbers 3:1; Deuteronomy 10:5; Nehemiah 9:13; Galatians 4:24-25
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