Deep Dive

Exodus 19:20

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The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up,

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 20

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.).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 20

יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) סִינַי (Çîynay, H5514) — Sinai, mountain of Arabia רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אֵל (ʼêl, H413) — near, with or among; often in general, to עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of…

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Nehemiah 9:13rank 3

You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them just ordinances, true laws, and good statutes and commandments.

Psalms 81:7rank 2

You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah

Exodus 34:4rank 2

So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals. He rose early in the morning, and taking the two stone tablets in his hands, he went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him.

Exodus 24:18rank 2

Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 34:2rank 2

Be ready in the morning, and come up on Mount Sinai to present yourself before Me on the mountaintop.

Exodus 19:11rank 2

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.

Exodus 19:3rank 2

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel:

Deuteronomy 9:9rank 1

When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I ate no bread and drank no water.

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