Exodus — Chapter 19

On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone forth from the land of Egypt, on that very day, they entered the wilderness of Sinai.

Having journeyed from Rephidim, they entered the wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the wilderness. Israel encamped there in front of the mountain,

and Moses went up to God. The ETERNAL called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob and declare to the children of Israel:

‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me.

Now then, if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples. Indeed, all the earth is Mine,

but you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Moses came and summoned the elders of the people and put before them all that GOD had commanded him.

All the peopleaAll the people Or the assembled elders, on the people’s behalf. answered as one, saying, “All that GOD has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the people’s words to GOD.

And GOD said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you and so trust you ever after.” Then Moses reported the people’s words to GOD,

and GOD said to Moses, “Go to the people and warn them to stay purebpure Cf. v. 15. today and tomorrow. Let them wash their clothes.

Let them be ready for the third day; for on the third day GOD will come down, in the sight of all the people, on Mount Sinai.

You shall set bounds for the people round about, saying, ‘Beware of going up the mountain or touching the border of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death

without being touched—by being either stoned or shot; animal or person, a trespasser shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast,csounds a long blast Meaning of Heb. uncertain. they may go up on the mountain.”

Moses came down from the mountain to the people and warned the people to stay pure, and they washed their clothes.

And he said to the men,dthe men Heb. “the people.” Moses’ intended audience is not further specified because it goes without saying: by convention in Israelite society, only men are treated as the active agent in heterosexual relations. “Be ready for the third day: do not go near a woman.”

On the third day, as morning dawned, there was thunder, and lightning, and a dense cloud upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the horn; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.

Moses led the people out of the camp toward God, and they took their places at the foot of the mountain.

Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke, for GOD had come down upon it in fire; the smoke rose like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountainethe whole mountain Some Hebrew manuscripts and the Greek read “all the people”; cf. v. 16. trembled violently.

The blare of the horn grew louder and louder. As Moses spoke, God answered him in thunder.

GOD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain, and GOD called Moses to the top of the mountain and Moses went up.

GOD said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people not to break through to GOD to gaze, lest many of them perish.

The priests also, who come near GOD, must stay pure, lest GOD break out against them.”

But Moses said to GOD, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain and sanctify it.’”

So GOD said to him, “Go down, and come back together with Aaron; but let not the priests or the people break through to come up to GOD—who would break out against them.”

And Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.