Exodus 19:16
ESV
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.
NIV
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled.
NASB
So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
CSB
On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people in the camp shuddered.
NLT
On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled.
KJV
And 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.
NKJV
Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
What does Exodus 19:16 mean?
At Mount Sinai, God has commanded the people of Israel to prepare themselves. With consecration, washing, and abstinence, they were making ready to receive His laws. These would come through Moses, while God's presence would be veiled by clouds (Exodus 19:1–15).When the third day comes, the scene is vivid and terrifying. The mountain is obscured with clouds filled with lightning and thunder. The clouds themselves are composed of smoke, as the mountain is also bathed in fire (Exodus 19:18). As these elements rage, the earth shakes and the people hear a sound like a trumpet blast. Their fear is no accident; this phase of God's revelation emphasizes His absolute power and holiness (Hebrews 12:18–21). A proper relationship with the Lord starts by recognizing His awesome omnipotence (Proverbs 1:7). Only after this will His grace and mercy ensure that "fear" of God is grounded in reverence, not terror (Hebrews 4:16; 12:22–25).
At this trumpet signal, the people will assemble at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 19:17). They will wait there while Moses and a select few others (Exodus 19:21–24) climb into the wall of clouds to speak with God. The first information coming from those meetings will be the basis for Israel's entire code of laws: the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–21).
