Exodus 20:22

Idols and Altars

22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven:

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Exodus 20:22 in Other Translations

KJV

22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

ESV

22 And the LORD said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: 'You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven.

NLT

22 And the LORD said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: You saw for yourselves that I spoke to you from heaven.

MSG

22 God said to Moses, "Give this Message to the People of Israel: 'You've experienced firsthand how I spoke with you from Heaven.

CSB

22 Then the Lord told Moses, "This is what you are to say to the Israelites: You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven.

Exodus 20:22 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 20:22

And the Lord said unto Moses
When Moses was come near the thick darkness where God was:

thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel;
at his return unto them, and which he was to deliver in the name of God, and as his words:

ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven;
descending from heaven on Mount Sinai in a cloud and fire, he talked with them out of the cloud and fire, and delivered to them with an audible voice the above ten commands; the cloud and fire they saw with their eyes, and the words expressed from thence they heard with their ears; or heaven may mean the air on the top of Sinai, from whence Jehovah spoke.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Exodus 20:22 In-Context

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven:

23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.

24 “ ‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.

Cross References 1

1. Deuteronomy 5:24,26; Nehemiah 9:13