Exodus 19:19-25

19 When the sound of the shofar grew louder and louder, Moshe spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

20 The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The LORD called Moshe to the top of the mountain, and Moshe went up.

21 The LORD said to Moshe, "Go down, charge the people, lest they break through to the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.

22 Let the Kohanim also, who come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth on them."

23 Moshe said to the LORD, "The people can't come up to Mount Sinai, for you charged us, saying, 'Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.'"

24 The LORD said to him, "Go down and you shall bring Aharon up with you, but don't let the Kohanim and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break forth on them."

25 So Moshe went down to the people, and told them.

Exodus 19:19-25 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.