Exodus 19:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

NIV: On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai.

NASB: In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

CSB: In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness.

NLT: Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai.

KJV: In 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.

NKJV: In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.

This establishes a timeline from Israel's release from slavery until their encounter with God. Hebrew calendars were based on the lunar cycle, so it has been three months since the people were freed (Exodus 12:40–41). Having left Egypt at Passover, around early April (Exodus 12:14–17), the people are arriving in Horeb in June or July. In that time, they have been miraculously rescued (Exodus 14:21–28), supplied (Exodus 16:13–15), and empowered (Exodus 17:8–13). Now they will receive the rules and laws demonstrating their status as a chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2).

Scholars have not determined the exact location of Mount Sinai. The general region, and the mountain in question, are also referred to as "Horeb" (Exodus 17:6; Deuteronomy 5:2; Malachi 4:4) and "the mountain of God" (Exodus 4:27; 24:13). This is the same area where God called to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:1). This territory is believed to be in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula.

Exodus 19:1–15 records God's instructions to Israel at the base of Mount Sinai, also referred to as "the mountain of God" or Horeb. The Lord tells Israel He is going to make them a special nation; this means establishing a covenant with the people. God will meet with Moses only. No man, woman, or animal may otherwise touch the mountain where God comes down.

God instructs the Israelites to prepare for His arrival on Mount Sinai in Horeb. They are to be clean and careful not to come onto the mountain itself. When God appears, He arrives amidst smoke, fire, lightning, earthquakes, and noise. Moses travels to the mountaintop and back, relaying messages about God's will. The first and most important of these are the fundamental principles of Old Testament law: the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–21).

Prior chapters in the book of Exodus described Israel's history after Jacob and his family settled there (Genesis 46:27; 47:10). God used Moses to deliver divine messages and as a conduit for miraculous power. Once Israel was freed (Exodus 12:40–41), the Lord continued to care for them (Exodus 15:22–25; 16:13–15; 17:6, 8–13). In this chapter, Israel prepares to receive God's Law at Mount Sinai. Almost the entire rest of the book (Exodus 20—40) are details about these commands.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 6/16/2025 8:16:00 PM