Exodus 19:2
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This chapter introduces the solemnity of the giving of the law upon mount Sinai, which was one of the most striking appearances of the divine glory that ever was in this lower world. We have here, I. The circumstances of time and place (Exo 19:1, Exo 19:2). II. The covenant between God and Israel settled in general. The gracious proposal God made to them (Exo 19:3-6), and their consent to the proposal (Exo 19:7, Exo 19:8). III. Notice given three days before of God's design to give the law out of a thick cloud (Exo 19:9). Orders given to prepare the people to receive the law (Exo 19:10-13), and care taken to execute those orders (Exo 19:14, Exo 19:15). IV. A terrible appearance of God's glory upon mount Sinai (Exo 19:16-20). V. Silence proclaimed, and strict charges given to the people to observe decorum while God spoke to them (Exo 19:21, etc.).
Open source ↗19:2 The arrival at Sinai was a fulfillment of the promise made earlier to Moses at this same spot (3:12).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then the whole congregation of Israel left the Desert of Sin, moving from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”
After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.
Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, along with Moses’ wife and sons, came to him in the desert, where he was encamped at the mountain of God.
He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.
After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.
These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar.