Exodus 19:3-12

3 and Moses went up the mountain to meet with God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and told him to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants:

4 "You saw what I, the Lord, did to the Egyptians and how I carried you as an eagle carries her young on her wings, and brought you here to me.

5 Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people, ¹

6 a people dedicated to me alone, and you will serve me as priests." ²

7 So Moses went down and called the leaders of the people together and told them everything that the Lord had commanded him.

8 Then all the people answered together, "We will do everything that the Lord has said," and Moses reported this to the Lord.

9 The Lord said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will believe you from now on." Moses told the Lord what the people had answered,

10 and the Lord said to him, "Go to the people and tell them to spend today and tomorrow purifying themselves for worship. They must wash their clothes

11 and be ready the day after tomorrow. On that day I will come down on Mount Sinai, where all the people can see me.

12 Mark a boundary around the mountain that the people must not cross, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even get near it. If any of you set foot on it, you are to be put to death; ³

Exodus 19:3-12 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. 19.5, 6 1 P 2.9.+O+N19.5Deuteronomy 4.20; 7.6; 14.2; 26.18;Titus 2.14.
• 2. 19.6Revelation 1.6; 5.10.
• 3. 19.12, 13Hebrews 12.18-20.