Exodus 24:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

NIV: Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

NASB: Then Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

CSB: Moses entered the cloud as he went up the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

NLT: Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

KJV: And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

NKJV: So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

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.

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.

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).

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 6:17:40 AM