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The Great Theophany. 16 (A)On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud blast of the shofar,[a] so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the Lord had come down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 The blast of the shofar grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking and God was answering him with thunder.

20 [b]When the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 Then the Lord told Moses: Go down and warn the people not to break through to the Lord in order to see him; otherwise many of them will be struck down. 22 For their part, the priests, who approach the Lord must sanctify themselves; else the Lord will break out in anger against them. 23 But Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot go up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying: Set limits around the mountain to make it sacred.” 24 So the Lord said to him: Go down and come up along with Aaron. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord; else he will break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.

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Footnotes

  1. 19:16 Shofar: a ram’s horn used like a trumpet for signaling both for liturgical and military purposes.
  2. 19:20–25 At this point the Priestly additions of vv. 12–13a are elaborated with further Priestly instructions, which include the priests’ sanctifying themselves apart from the people (v. 22) and Aaron accompanying Moses to the top of the mountain (v. 24).

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder(A) and lightning, with a thick cloud(B) over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast.(C) Everyone in the camp trembled.(D) 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.(E) 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke,(F) because the Lord descended on it in fire.(G) The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace,(H) and the whole mountain[a] trembled(I) violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice(J) of God answered(K) him.[b]

20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai(L) and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see(M) the Lord and many of them perish.(N) 22 Even the priests, who approach(O) the Lord, must consecrate(P) themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”(Q)

23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai,(R) because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits(S) around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”

24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron(T) up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”(U)

25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 19:18 Most Hebrew manuscripts; a few Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint and all the people
  2. Exodus 19:19 Or and God answered him with thunder