Exodus 19:20

Translations

Modern

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

Traditional

And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

Literal

And YHWH descended upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And YHWH called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses ascended.

Latin

Descenditque Dominus super montem Sinai in ipso montis vertice, et vocavit Moysen in cacumen ejus. Quo cum ascendisset,

Original

Hebrew

English

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

Notes

Exodus 19:16–25

The final preparation phase included events that helped people accept the covenant. Some of the experiences were visual: lightning and a cloud (19:16), smoke and fire (19:18). The people also heard thunder, a ram’s horn, and the voice of God (19:16, 19). The entire mountain shook violently (19:18). In the Bible, such unusual events are often associated with a theophany, which is a visible appearance of God’s holy presence.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses God’s Covenant with David God’s Covenants

Events

Ten Commandments Given

Related verses

Nehemiah 9:13
You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them just ordinances, true laws, and good statutes and commandments.
Exodus 34:2
Be ready in the morning, and come up on Mount Sinai to present yourself before Me on the mountaintop.
Psalm 81:7
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 24:18
Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Exodus 24:12–13
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”
Exodus 19:3
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:
Exodus 34:4
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 19:11
…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.
Deuteronomy 9:9
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.

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Sinai: Mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments

Glossary

Book of Exodus Covenant Criminal Law and Punishment Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel John the Baptist Miracle Mount Sinai Mount, Mountain

Topics

God: Appearances of To Moses, at Sinai Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Divine Authority For Miracles: Catalogue of Thundering and Lightning on Mount Sinai Reverence for God Sinai: A Mountain in the Peninsula East of the Red Sea: The Law Delivered to Moses Upon The Law of Moses: Given: from the Mount Sinai

Exodus 19:20

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?