Exodus 19:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments

NIV: And the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes

NASB: The Lord also said to Moses, 'Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their garments;

CSB: and the Lord told Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes

NLT: Then the Lord told Moses, 'Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing.

KJV: And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

NKJV: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.

Before they can receive the words of God's covenant (Exodus 19:5–9), the Israelites must prepare. This begins with washing. Cleanliness is symbolic of spiritual purity (2 Kings 5:10; Hebrews 10:22); the Mosaic covenant will emphasize physical washing as an aspect of honoring the Lord (Exodus 30:18–19; Leviticus 16:4).

Consecration (Exodus 13:2)—setting apart for special purposes—is also an important aspect of this covenant (Exodus 22:31; 29:1; 40:9–13; Leviticus 20:7). The ritual aspects of consecration can involve washing (Exodus 19:14), anointing (Exodus 30:30), or abstaining from foods or acts (Exodus 19:15; Numbers 6:1–4).

On the third day (Exodus 19:11), God will come to Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–2) and meet Moses while covered in a thick cloud (Exodus 19:9). The scene will evoke a sense of fear and awe (Exodus 19:16–19). This highlights the Lord's holiness and the seriousness of these laws (Hebrews 12:18–21).

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 7/31/2025 7:02:04 AM