Exodus Chapter 19

Updated: September 14, 2025

Israel at Mount Sinai

1In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. 3And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

7And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. 9And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

10And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, 11And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. 12And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: 13There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. 14And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

16And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. 17And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

The Lord Visits Sinai

18And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 19And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 20And 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. 21And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. 22And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. 23And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. 24And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. 25So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Israel at Mount Sinai

1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 3 Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how 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, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

7 Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Yahweh commanded him. 8 All the people answered together, and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh. 9 Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.

10 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11 and be ready against the third day; for on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”

The LORD Visits Sinai

16 It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.

18 Mount Sinai, all it, smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice. 20 Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Let the priests also, who come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break forth on them.” 23 Moses said to Yahweh, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.’” 24 Yahweh said to him, “Go down and you shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to Yahweh, lest he break forth on them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people, and told them.

Israel at Mount Sinai

1 In the third month, on the same day of the month a that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain.

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: 4 ‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. 6 And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.”

So Moses brought their words back to the LORD.

9 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.”

And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.

10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 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.

12 And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ b

Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain. c”

14 When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 “Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”

The LORD Visits Sinai

16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. 19 And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.

20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up, 21 and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish. 22 Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”

23 But Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, for You solemnly warned us, ‘Put a boundary around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’ ”

24 And the LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break out against them.”

25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.

Footnotes:

1 a Hebrew In the third month, on the same day ; that is, two months after leaving Egypt; see Numbers 33:3.
13 b Cited in Hebrews 12:20
13 c Or may they go up on the mountain

Israel at Mount Sinai

1In the third month of the going out of the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, in this day they have come into the wilderness of Sinai, 2and they journey from Rephidim, and enter the wilderness of Sinai, and encamp in the wilderness; and Israel encampeth there before the mount. 3And Moses hath gone up unto God, and Jehovah calleth unto him out of the mount, saying, 'Thus dost thou say to the house of Jacob, and declare to the sons of Israel, 4Ye -- ye have seen that which I have done to the Egyptians, and I bear you on eagles' wings, and bring you in unto Myself. 5And now, if ye really hearken to My voice, then ye have kept My covenant, and been to Me a peculiar treasure more than all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6and ye -- ye are to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation: these are the words which thou dost speak unto the sons of Israel.'

7And Moses cometh, and calleth for the elders of the people, and setteth before them all these words which Jehovah hath commanded him; 8and all the people answer together and say, 'All that Jehovah hath spoken we do;' and Moses returneth the words of the people unto Jehovah. 9And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Lo, I am coming unto thee in the thickness of the cloud, so that the people hear in My speaking with thee, and also believe in thee to the age;' and Moses declareth the words of the people unto Jehovah.

10And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Go unto the people; and thou hast sanctified them to-day and to-morrow, and they have washed their garments, 11and have been prepared for the third day; for on the third day doth Jehovah come down before the eyes of all the people, on mount Sinai. 12And thou hast made a border for the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, going up into the mount, or coming against its extremity; whoever is coming against the mount is certainly put to death; 13a hand cometh not against him, for he is certainly stoned or shot through, whether beast or man it liveth not; in the drawing out of the jubilee cornet they go up into the mount.' 14And Moses cometh down from the mount unto the people, and sanctifieth the people, and they wash their garments; 15and he saith unto the people, 'Be ye prepared for the third day, come not nigh unto a woman.'

16And it cometh to pass, on the third day, while it is morning, that there are voices, and lightnings, and a heavy cloud, on the mount, and the sound of a trumpet very strong; and all the people who are in the camp do tremble. 17And Moses bringeth out the people to meet God from the camp, and they station themselves at the lower part of the mount,

The Lord Visits Sinai

18and mount Sinai is wholly a smoke from the presence of Jehovah, who hath come down on it in fire, and its smoke goeth up as smoke of the furnace, and the whole mount trembleth exceedingly; 19and the sound of the trumpet is going on, and very strong; Moses speaketh, and God doth answer him with a voice. 20And Jehovah cometh down on mount Sinai, unto the top of the mount, and Jehovah calleth for Moses unto the top of the mount, and Moses goeth up. 21And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Go down, protest to the people, lest they break through unto Jehovah to see, and many of them have fallen; 22and also the priests who are coming nigh unto Jehovah do sanctify themselves, lest Jehovah break forth on them.' 23And Moses saith unto Jehovah, 'The people is unable to come up unto mount Sinai, for Thou -- Thou hast protested to us, saying, Make a border for the mount, then thou hast sanctified it.' 24And Jehovah saith unto him, 'Go, descend, then thou hast come up, thou, and Aaron with thee; and the priests and the people do not break through, to come up unto Jehovah, lest He break forth upon them.' 25And Moses goeth down unto the people, and saith unto them: --

New Bible Challenges and Quizzes being added regularly.

Begin a Bible Quiz

The F.O.G Commentary

When Heaven Touches Earth

What’s Exodus 19 about?

Picture this: A nation of former slaves stands at the foot of a mountain that’s literally smoking with God’s presence, about to receive the most important legal document in human history. It’s the moment everything changes – when God doesn’t just rescue his people, but invites them into relationship.

The Full Context

Three months after the dramatic exodus from Egypt, the Israelites find themselves camped in the wilderness of Sinai, staring up at a mountain that would become the most famous peak in biblical history. Moses, their reluctant leader who’s been learning to trust God one burning bush at a time, is about to facilitate the most extraordinary covenant ceremony the world has ever seen. This isn’t just another stop on their journey to the Promised Land – this is the destination, the reason God brought them out of Egypt in the first place.

Exodus 19 serves as the dramatic prelude to the giving of the Ten Commandments and the broader Mosaic Law. But before we get to the famous “thou shalt nots,” we witness something breathtaking: God’s formal proposal to make Israel his treasured possession among all nations. The chapter functions as both historical narrative and theological watershed, establishing the covenant relationship that will define Israel’s identity for millennia. The text pulses with anticipation – sacred space is being prepared, boundaries are being set, and heaven is about to touch earth in ways that will literally make the mountain tremble.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The Hebrew text of Exodus 19 is loaded with covenant language that would have made ancient hearts race. When God tells Moses in verse 5 that Israel will be his segullah – his “treasured possession” – he’s using the same word a king would use for his personal treasure vault. Not just valuable things, but the most valuable things, kept closest to the throne.

Grammar Geeks

The phrase “kingdom of priests” (mamleket kohanim) in verse 6 is grammatically stunning – it’s not “a kingdom with priests” but a kingdom made up entirely of priests. Every citizen would have direct access to God, revolutionary in a world of religious hierarchies.

But here’s where it gets really fascinating: the word for “consecrate” (qadash) appears repeatedly throughout the chapter. This isn’t just about ritual washing – it’s about becoming qadosh, set apart, different from everything else in the world. When Moses tells the people to wash their clothes and prepare for the third day, he’s not running a cosmic laundry service. He’s preparing them to encounter the Holy One of Israel.

The mountain itself becomes a character in this drama. Mount Sinai (also called Horeb) transforms from ordinary geography into sacred space. The Hebrew describes it as wrapped in smoke “like the smoke of a furnace” – ke’eshan ha-kivshan. This isn’t just divine special effects; it’s the visible manifestation of God’s holiness breaking into our physical world.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

The F.O.G Bible Project

This page has a unique origin story and vision. Find out why your visit today is about more than words.

What is the F.O.G?

To ancient ears, this chapter would have sounded like the ultimate treaty ceremony – but turned completely upside down. In the ancient Near East, powerful kings would impose treaties on conquered peoples, dictating terms from positions of absolute strength. But here? God has already rescued Israel. He’s proven his power, defeated their enemies, and brought them safely through the wilderness. Now he’s asking if they want to enter into covenant with him.

Did You Know?

Ancient covenant ceremonies often included blood rituals and oath-swearing that would bind parties even unto death. God’s approach in Exodus 19 – emphasizing his prior rescue and offering relationship rather than demanding submission – would have been startlingly different from any treaty negotiation they’d ever witnessed.

The three-day preparation period wasn’t arbitrary. In ancient cultures, this was the standard time needed to prepare for encountering deity. But unlike pagan religions where priests served as necessary mediators, God is proposing that the entire nation become a “kingdom of priests.” Every Israelite would have direct access to the Divine. Revolutionary doesn’t begin to cover it.

When the people heard the thunder, saw the lightning, and felt the mountain shake, they weren’t experiencing God’s anger – they were witnessing his holiness. The Hebrew word kavod (glory/weight) suggests something so substantial, so real, that it has physical effects on the created world. This wasn’t a light show; it was the invasion of perfect holiness into an imperfect world.

Wrestling with the Text

Here’s something that’s always puzzled me: Why all the warnings about not touching the mountain? Verses 12-13 seem almost harsh – anyone who touches the mountain must be stoned or shot with arrows, and even the animals aren’t exempt. What’s going on here?

I think we’re seeing something profound about the nature of holiness itself. This isn’t God being mean; it’s God being honest about what happens when perfect holiness encounters imperfection. It’s like warning someone not to touch a live electrical wire – not because electricity is evil, but because unprotected contact is deadly.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Notice that God tells Moses the people need to “consecrate themselves” but then immediately gives Moses specific instructions about what that means. If holiness comes from God alone, why the emphasis on human preparation? Perhaps it’s not about earning access to God, but about preparing hearts to receive what God wants to give.

The timing raises questions too. Why wait three days? Why not immediately? I suspect it has everything to do with the magnitude of what’s about to happen. This isn’t just God giving some rules; this is the Almighty entering into binding covenant relationship with a people. The preparation isn’t about religious ritual – it’s about getting ready for the most important moment in their national history.

And here’s another puzzle: God says in verse 9 that he’s coming in a thick cloud so the people will hear him speaking with Moses and trust Moses forever. But wasn’t Moses’ authority already established? I think something deeper is happening here – God is making sure that when the Law comes, everyone knows it’s not Moses’ idea, but divine revelation.

How This Changes Everything

Here’s what takes my breath away about Exodus 19: it’s not primarily about rules or regulations. It’s about relationship. Before God gives a single commandment, he reminds them of what he’s already done – “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (verse 4).

The covenant isn’t conditional on their performance; it’s grounded in God’s character and his mighty acts of rescue. The “if” in verse 5 – “if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant” – isn’t about earning God’s love. It’s about living out the relationship he’s already established.

“God doesn’t invite us into covenant to make us his people – he makes us his people and then invites us into covenant to live like who we already are.”

This changes how we read everything that follows. The Ten Commandments aren’t arbitrary rules imposed by a cosmic killjoy. They’re the family constitution for people who’ve been adopted into God’s household. They’re the lifestyle that matches their identity as his treasured possession.

The “kingdom of priests” vision transforms how we understand both community and calling. Every believer has direct access to God, but that access comes with responsibility. Priests don’t just receive from God; they represent God to the world and the world to God. It’s an identity that’s both incredibly privileged and tremendously demanding.

And the mountain? It becomes a preview of every place where heaven touches earth – every moment when the ordinary becomes sacred because God shows up. The thunder and lightning and smoke aren’t special effects; they’re what happens when the Creator of the universe decides to get personal with his creation.

Key Takeaway

God doesn’t rescue us and then leave us to figure out the relationship on our own. He saves us, adopts us, and then invites us into covenant partnership that transforms both our identity and our destiny.

Exodus Chapter 19

Add Comment

God's Word is too vast for a single perspective. We all have a story, and as believers we all carry the Holy Spirit who is the Revealer. With this in mind - I would love to read your comments.