Israel Comes to Sinai

19:1 In the third month after the Israelites went out from the land of Egypt, on the very day, they came to the Desert of Sinai. 19:2 After they journeyed from Rephidim, they came to the Desert of Sinai, and they camped in the desert; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 19:3 Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, “Thus you will tell the house of Jacob, and declare to the people of Israel: 19:4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I lifted you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 19:5 And now, if you will diligently listen to me and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is mine, 19:6 and you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites.” 19:7 So Moses came and summoned the elders of Israel. He set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him, 19:8 and all the people answered together, “All that the Lord has commanded we will do!” So Moses brought the words of the people back to the Lord. 19:9 the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and so that they will always believe in you.” And Moses told the words of the people to the Lord. 19:10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and make them wash their clothes 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. 19:12 you must set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves not to go up on the mountain nor touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death! 19:13 No hand will touch him – but he will surely be stoned or shot through, whether a beast or a human being; he must not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast they may go up on the mountain.” 19:14 Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes. 19:15 he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day. Do not go near your wives.” 19:16 On the third day in the morning there was thunder and lightning and a dense cloud on the mountain, and the sound of a very loud horn; all the people who were in the camp trembled. 19:17 Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their place at the foot of the mountain. 19:18 Now Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire, and its smoke went up like the smoke of a great furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19:19 When the sound of the horn grew louder and louder, Moses was speaking and God was answering him with a voice. 19:20 the Lord came down on Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain, and the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 19:21 the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and solemnly warn the people, lest they force their way through to the Lord to look, and many of them perish. 19:22 let the priests also, who approach the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break through against them.” 19:23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people are not able to come up to Mount Sinai, because you solemnly warned us, ‘Set boundaries for the mountain and set it apart.’” 19:24 the Lord said to him, “Go, get down, and come up, and Aaron with you, but do not let the priests and the people force their way through to come up to the Lord, lest he break through against them.” 19:25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Israel arrives at Mount Sinai after leaving Egypt. God calls them to be ready, to stay back from the mountain, and to listen to Moses. He shows his holiness through cloud, fire, thunder, and a shaking mountain. He also calls Israel his treasured possession and a holy nation, but only on his terms and through his appointed mediator.

This passage marks a turning point. Israel has been redeemed from Egypt, and now they come to Sinai to meet the God who saved them. The Lord first reminds them of his grace: he carried them out of Egypt and brought them to himself. Then he calls them to covenant obedience. If they listen to him and keep his covenant, they will be his special possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.

The people quickly agree to do all that the Lord has said. But the Lord also makes clear that his presence is holy and dangerous to the unclean. He tells Moses to prepare the people, have them wash, and keep strict boundaries around the mountain. No one may go near it or touch it. The Lord will not be treated casually.

When the third day comes, God descends in power. There is thunder, lightning, smoke, fire, and a very loud horn. The people tremble. Moses brings them to the foot of the mountain, and then the Lord calls him up. Even then, the warning is repeated: the people and the priests must not force their way into God’s presence. Access must be given by God himself, through the mediator he has chosen.

• God saves first, then calls his people to obedience.
• Israel’s special status is a gift of grace, not a reward for earning salvation.
• God is holy, and his presence is not to be treated lightly.
• Covenant life includes consecration, careful preparation, and reverent distance.
• Moses serves as the appointed mediator between the Lord and the people.
• The signs at Sinai show both God’s glory and the danger of approaching him wrongly.

• Warning: no one may cross the boundary or touch the mountain.
• Warning: unauthorized nearness to God brings death.
• Warning: the priests must also sanctify themselves.
• Command: prepare, wash, and be ready for the third day.
• Command: do not go near your wives during this time of consecration.
• Promise: if Israel listens and keeps the covenant, they will be God’s treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.

Sinai is where the redeemed nation is gathered and shaped into a covenant people. God’s deliverance from Egypt leads into covenant formation, holiness, and mediated access. This passage prepares for the giving of the law in the next chapter and shows that God’s people live by his word, under his rule, and in reverent nearness to his holy presence.

God’s people should not treat him casually. Salvation should lead to obedience, reverence, and careful preparation for worship. We must listen to God’s word, respect the way he gives access, and not rush beyond what he has allowed. The passage also teaches that belonging to God is a privilege and a calling to holy living.

• Lite Commentary
• In-depth Commentary