Exodus 19:10-15

10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes

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.

12 And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ ^[a] Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain. ^[b]”

14 When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.

15 “Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”

Exodus 19:10-15 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Cited in Hebrews 12:20
• [b] Or may they go up on the mountain