Exodus 19:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.

NIV: Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

NASB: And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

CSB: Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

NLT: Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

KJV: And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

NKJV: And Moses brought th e people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

The nation of Israel is camped at the base of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–2). Moses has relayed instructions for the people to prepare themselves (Exodus 19:7–11, 14–15). God is about to establish a covenant with the nation (Exodus 19:3–6). At the appointed time, the mountain is covered in smoke, fire, lightning, thunder, and earth tremors (Exodus 19:16, 18–19). This inspires fear in the people—as it should. This spectacle sends a message about the unimaginable power and holiness of God (Hebrews 12:18–21).

The Israelites approach the base of Sinai at God's signal. They cannot touch the mountain itself, on penalty of death (Exodus 19:12–13). Moses (Exodus 19:20) will bring another warning reminding the people of this restriction (Exodus 19:21–23). Only those invited by the Lord can enter this sacred space (Exodus 19:24–25). During this crucial time, God will establish the laws of His covenant with Israel (Exodus 20:1–21; 1 Kings 8:53).

Exodus 19:16–25 depicts the Lord God descending onto a mountain to give the Law to Israel. This involved dramatic amounts of smoke, fire, lightning, tremors, and noise. Under the Lord's instruction, Moses makes multiple trips up and down Mount Sinai to relay messages from God. Records of the Law will make up nearly the entire remaining book of Exodus.

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 6/17/2025 8:49:00 AM