Exodus 24:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moses alone shall come near to the Lord, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him."

NIV: but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him."

NASB: Moses alone, however, shall approach the Lord, but they shall not approach, nor shall the people come up with him.'

CSB: Moses alone is to approach the Lord, but the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him."

NLT: Only Moses is allowed to come near to the Lord. The others must not come near, and none of the other people are allowed to climb up the mountain with him.'

KJV: And Moses alone shall come near the Lord: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

NKJV: And Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.”

Exodus 24:1–8 records an invitation from the Lord and a solemn ceremony. God summons Moses, Aaron, two of Aaron's sons, and seventy elders from Israel for a special meeting. Moses prepares sacrifices, reads the covenant to the people, and sprinkles sacrificial blood. The Israelites agree to follow God's commands.

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 5:33:21 AM