Israel at Mount Sinai

Exodus 19

1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they p came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from q Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before r the mountain, 3 while s Moses went up to God. t The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 u You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how v I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be w my treasured possession among all peoples, for x all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a y kingdom of priests and z a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 a All the people answered together and said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

9 And the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you b in a thick cloud, that c the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also d believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and e consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them f wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day g the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. h Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; 1 whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When i the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain." 14 So Moses j went down from the mountain to the people and e consecrated the people; f and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, "Be ready for the k third day; l do not go near a woman."

16 On the morning of the k third day there were m thunders and lightnings and n a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud o trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp p trembled. 17 Then q Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now r Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and s the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the o sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and t God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

21 And the Lord said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord u to look and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord v consecrate themselves, lest the Lord w break out against them." 23 And Moses said to the Lord, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, x 'Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.'" 24 And the Lord said to him, "Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people y break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them." 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

  1. Cross References
    Numbers 33:15
    And they set out from Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai.
  2. Cross References
    Exodus 17:1
    All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
    Exodus 17:8
    Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.
  3. Cross References
    Exodus 3:1
    Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
  4. Cross References
    Exodus 20:21
    The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
    Acts 7:38
    This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 3:4
    When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am.
  6. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:2
    And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: "You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land.
  7. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:11 - 12
    Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions.
    Isaiah 63:9
    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
    Revelation 12:14
    But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
  8. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 7:6
    For you are a people holy to the Lord your God....
    Deuteronomy 14:2
    For you are a people holy to the Lord your God,...
    Deuteronomy 26:18
    And the Lord has declared today that you are a ...
    Psalms 135:4
    For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Isra...
    Malachi 3:17
    They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in ...
    Titus 2:14
    Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all l...
  9. Cross References
    Exodus 9:29
    Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out ...
    Deuteronomy 10:14
    Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and ...
    Job 41:11
    Who has first given to me, that I should repay ...
    Psalms 24:1
    The earth is the Lord 's and the fullness there...
    Psalms 50:12
    If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the...
    1 Corinthians 10:26
    For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness ...
  10. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:5
    You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
    1 Peter 2:9
    But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
    Revelation 1:6
    And made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
    Revelation 5:10
    And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.
    Revelation 20:6
    Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
  11. Cross References
    Leviticus 20:26
    You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy...
    Deuteronomy 7:6
    For you are a people holy to the Lord your God....
    Deuteronomy 14:21
    You shall not eat anything that has died natura...
    Deuteronomy 26:19
    And that he will set you in praise and in fame ...
    Deuteronomy 28:9
    The Lord will establish you as a people holy to...
    Isaiah 62:12
    And they shall be called The Holy People, The R...
    1 Peter 2:9
    But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, ...
  12. Cross References
    Exodus 24:3
    Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.
    Exodus 24:7
    Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.
    Deuteronomy 5:27
    Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.
    Deuteronomy 26:17
    You have declared today that the Lord is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice.
  13. Cross References
    Exodus 20:21
    The people stood far off, while Moses drew near...
    Exodus 24:16
    The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and...
    Deuteronomy 4:11
    And you came near and stood at the foot of the ...
    Psalms 18:11
    He made darkness his covering, his canopy aroun...
    Psalms 97:2
    Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; r...
    Matthew 17:5
    He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cl...
  14. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:12
    Then the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice.
    Deuteronomy 4:36
    Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you. And on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.
    John 12:28 - 29
    Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.
  15. Cross References
    Exodus 14:31
    Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
  16. Cross References
    Leviticus 11:44 - 45
    For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.
    Joshua 3:5
    Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.
  17. Cross References
    Genesis 35:2
    So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments.
    Leviticus 15:5
    And anyone who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening.
  18. Cross References
    Exodus 34:5
    The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.
    Deuteronomy 33:2
    He said, "The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.
  19. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:20
    For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.
  20. Cross References
    Exodus 19:16
    On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
    Exodus 19:19
    And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.
  21. Cross References
    Exodus 19:3
    While Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
  22. Cross References
    Exodus 19:10
    The Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments
  23. Cross References
    Exodus 19:10
    The Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments
  24. Cross References
    Exodus 19:11
    And be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
  25. Cross References
    1 Samuel 21:4 - 5
    And the priest answered David, "I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread - if the young men have kept themselves from women.
    1 Corinthians 7:5
    Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
  26. Cross References
    Exodus 19:15
    And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.
  27. Cross References
    Psalms 77:18
    The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
    Hebrews 12:18
    For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
    Revelation 4:5
    From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God.
    Revelation 8:5
    Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
    Revelation 11:19
    Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
  28. Cross References
    Exodus 19:9
    And the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.
  29. Cross References
    Exodus 19:13
    No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.
  30. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:21
    Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear.
  31. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:10
    How on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, 'Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.
  32. Cross References
    Exodus 24:17
    Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
    Judges 5:5
    The mountains quaked before the Lord, even Sinai before the Lord, the God of Israel.
    Psalms 144:5
    Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
    Isaiah 6:4
    And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
    Revelation 15:8
    And the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
  33. Cross References
    Psalms 68:8
    The earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
    Hebrews 12:26
    At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.
  34. Cross References
    Exodus 19:16
    On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
  35. Cross References
    Nehemiah 9:13
    You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments.
    Psalms 81:7
    In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
  36. Cross References
    Exodus 3:6
    And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
    1 Samuel 6:19
    And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the Lord. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the Lord had struck the people with a great blow.
  37. Cross References
    Leviticus 10:3
    Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord has said, 'Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron held his peace.
  38. Cross References
    2 Samuel 6:8
    And David was angry because the Lord had burst forth against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah, to this day.
    1 Chronicles 13:11
    And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day.
  39. Cross References
    Exodus 19:12
    And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death.
    Joshua 3:4
    Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.
  40. Cross References
    2 Samuel 6:8
    And David was angry because the Lord had burst forth against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah, to this day.
    1 Chronicles 13:11
    And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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