Exodus 19:11

Translations

Modern

…and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Traditional

And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

Literal

…and let them be ready for the third day; for on the third day YHWH will come down in the eyes of all the people upon Mount Sinai.

Latin

Et sint parati in diem tertium: in die enim tertia descendet Dominus coram omni plebe super montem Sinai.

Original

Hebrew

English

…and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Notes

Exodus 19:10–15

In the second stage of preparation, the people received commands that helped them get ready for God’s covenant.
First, they had to wash their clothing (19:10, 14). This act showed that God is pure.
Second, they had to set up a boundary around the mountain and not cross it (19:12–13). This command showed that God is holy (completely set apart).
Third, they had to abstain from sexual relations (19:15). This instruction reminded them that God is not a sexual being and that his blessings do not come from sexual activity.
These actions were not sinful in themselves. Under normal conditions, they were good and natural. However, the people had to set them aside for a special purpose.
They needed to focus completely on the Lord, their King, who was about to appear before them.
Only their obedience to the boundary command is clearly reported (19:23). Even so, since no judgment from the Lord is recorded, it is reasonable to conclude that they obeyed the other commands as well.
Hebrews 12:18–22 compares this event at Mount Sinai with the believer’s experience at Mount Zion, which it calls “the heavenly Jerusalem.”

Theme notes and profiles

Moses God’s Covenant with David God’s Covenants

Events

Ten Commandments Givenc. 1491 BC

Related verses

Exodus 19:16
On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
Deuteronomy 33:2
He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.
Exodus 34:5
And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD.
John 3:13
No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.
Exodus 19:20
The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up,
Exodus 3:8
I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
Exodus 19:18
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.
John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.
Psalm 18:9
He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet.
Isaiah 64:1–2
If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence,
Habakkuk 3:3–6
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth.
Psalm 144:5
Part Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, that they may smoke.

Places

Sinai: Mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments

Glossary

Book of Exodus Covenant Criminal Law and Punishment Deuteronomy, Book of Glory History of Israel John the Baptist Miracle Mount Sinai Mount, Mountain

Topics

Dressing Up for Church Israel: Sanctify Themselves for Receiving the Law Sinai: A Mountain in the Peninsula East of the Red Sea: The Law Delivered to Moses Upon The Feast of Pentecost: The Law Given from Mount Sinai Upon The Law of Moses: Given: from the Mount Sinai Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Exodus 19:11

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