Exodus 19:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments.

NIV: After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.

NASB: So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.

CSB: Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.

NLT: So Moses went down to the people. He consecrated them for worship, and they washed their clothes.

KJV: And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

NKJV: So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes.

Moses went onto Mount Sinai to speak with God while Israel was camped nearby (Exodus 19:1–3). His first trip brought news that the Lord was going to establish a covenant with the nation (Exodus 19:4–8). Moses travels onto Sinai again and tells the people that God will be appearing inside a shroud of thick clouds (Exodus 19:9). On the next trip, Moses delivers the Lord's instructions about consecration and washing (Exodus 19:10–13). Moses will also mention an element of celibacy as part of these preparations (Exodus 19:15).

God also establishes a sacred zone on Mount Sinai. During these meetings with Moses, no person or animal is to touch the mountain unless directly called by the Lord (Exodus 19:24). This emphasizes the "set apart" aspect of holiness. God's holiness is His separation from all imperfection. Setting a boundary around the mountain depicts the enormous difference between God and man. Of the laws God will establish for Israel, many aim to distinguish Israel from the rest of the world (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Kings 8:53).

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 10:25:21 AM