What does Exodus 24:17 mean?
ESV: Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
NIV: To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.
NASB: And to the eyes of the sons of Israel, the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.
CSB: The appearance of the Lord’s glory to the Israelites was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop.
NLT: To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire.
KJV: And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
NKJV: The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Exodus 24:9–18 describes a unique meeting between select Israelites and the Lord. Moses, Aaron, two of Aaron's sons, and seventy elders are summoned to Mount Sinai. There they enjoy a meal and see a vision of the Lord. Then God calls Moses to a private encounter. Moses walks into a cloud on the mountain and stays there for forty days and nights.
Chapter Summary:
God calls Moses, seventy of Israel's elders, Aaron, and Aaron's two sons to approach the Lord at Mount Sinai. The people agree to follow the covenant. Moses organizes sacrifices and reads the covenant to the people. Those called onto the mountain see a vision of God. After this, Moses is summoned to meet with the Lord personally. He will be there for forty days and nights receiving more of the Lord's covenant laws.
Chapter Context:
God has begun delivering the laws of His covenant with Israel (Exodus 20—23). Here, Moses and the elders of Israel affirm this agreement. The Lord calls Moses to receive stone tablets recording the Law. The following chapters describe how to construct the "sanctuary" used for worship and sacrifice. This includes designs for the tabernacle, ark of the covenant, and other famous items (Exodus 25—28).
Book Summary:
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 6/15/2025 6:05:48 AM
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Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
