Exodus 34:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain.

NIV: Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain.

NASB: So be ready by morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to Me on the top of the mountain.

CSB: Be prepared by morning. Come up Mount Sinai in the morning and stand before me on the mountaintop.

NLT: Be ready in the morning to climb up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain.

KJV: And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.

NKJV: So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain.

Exodus 34:1–4 describes Moses' latest journey onto Mount Sinai. God will renew the covenant with Israel which was recently broken by their idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6, 19). Moses makes two new stone tablets to record the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Unlike the last time (Exodus 32:17), Joshua (Exodus 17:8–9; 24:13) does not accompany him.

Moses obeys God's command to bring new stone tablets (Exodus 32:19) onto Mount Sinai. There, God fulfills His earlier promise to reveal more of His glory to Moses (Exodus 33:18–23). The Lord renews the covenant with Israel and gives additional details on subjects such as idolatry, the Sabbath, and certain festivals. When Moses returns, the people are intimidated by his now-shining face.

Israel quickly broke God's laws (Exodus 20:3–6) by committing idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). This caused a rift between them and God. One consequence was a removal of God's direct presence (Exodus 33:1–3). In this chapter, the covenant is renewed. The remaining chapters (Exodus 35—40) mirror the instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31).

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 9/18/2025 9:47:15 PM