Exodus 19:14 kjv

And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

Exodus 19:14 nkjv

So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes.

Exodus 19:14 niv

After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.

Exodus 19:14 esv

So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments.

Exodus 19:14 nlt

So Moses went down to the people. He consecrated them for worship, and they washed their clothes.

Exodus 19 verses

Exodus 19 14 Meaning

Moses descended from Mount Sinai to the Israelite people and performed the rites necessary to set them apart for a sacred encounter with God. In response to God's command, the people, under Moses' instruction, purified themselves by washing their clothes, an external act signifying internal readiness and adherence to the required state of ritual purity before the highly anticipated divine manifestation on the mountain. This preparation was crucial for them to draw near to God's holy presence without being consumed by it.

Exodus 19 14 Context

Exodus chapter 19 describes the momentous arrival of the Israelites at Mount Sinai, three months after their exodus from Egypt. This chapter marks a pivotal moment in salvation history, as it is where God intends to formalize His covenant with His people and reveal His law. Verses 1-9 establish the scene: God reminds Israel of His past deliverance and proposes that if they obey His voice and keep His covenant, they will be His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The people unanimously agree to all that the LORD has spoken. Consequently, verses 10-13 detail God's specific instructions to Moses for preparing the people for His sacred descent on the third day, emphasizing the need for consecration, purification, and the setting of strict boundaries around the mountain to preserve God's absolute holiness. Exodus 19:14 is the direct response and execution of these divine commands by Moses and the people, establishing their state of readiness for the direct, awe-inspiring encounter with their holy God.

Exodus 19 14 Word analysis

• So Moses (וַיֵּרֶד מֹשֶׁה, vayyēred Mosheh): Moses, the divinely appointed mediator, descends from the immediate presence of God on the mountain to transmit the sacred instructions to the people. This highlights his unique role as the covenant intermediary.

• went down (וַיֵּרֶד, vayyēred): From the verb יָרַד (yarad), meaning "to go down, descend." It signifies the physical movement from the elevated holy ground of Sinai where God communicated with him, to the common ground where the people were encamped. It underscores the carrying of divine authority and instruction to humanity.

• from the mountain (מִן הָהָר, min hahār): Specifies the origin of Moses' descent – Mount Sinai, the place of divine encounter. It connects this action directly to the previous communion with God.

• to the people (אֶל הָעָם, ’el hā‘ām): Denotes the recipient of God's commands and Moses' actions – the entire community of Israel, stressing the communal nature of the covenant.

• and consecrated (וַיְקַדֵּשׁ, vayqaddeš): From the Hebrew verb קָדַשׁ (qadash), meaning "to make holy, to set apart, to dedicate." This is a key term in the context of the Torah, signifying the act of ritually separating something or someone from common use for sacred service or proximity to God. Here, Moses carries out the instructions to make the people ceremonially ready, likely through instructing them regarding purification rites and the avoidance of defilement. It implied more than just cleanliness; it meant a dedicated status.

• the people (אֶת הָעָם, ’et hā‘ām): Reinforces that the entire assembly was subject to this divine requirement for consecration.

• and they washed (וַיְכַבְּסוּ, vayḵabbuṣū): From the Hebrew verb כָּבַס (kabas), meaning "to wash, to clean, to tread out clothes." This specific verb is used for laundering clothes. This was the commanded external, visible act of purification the people performed. It signifies a tangible effort on their part to adhere to God's holiness standards.

• their garments (בִּגְדֵיהֶם, bigdêhem): The clothing worn by the Israelites. In the ancient world, clothing was deeply intertwined with identity and status, and defilement of garments often indicated a state of ritual impurity. Washing garments served as a visible symbol of purification, signifying a readiness to shed past defilements and prepare for the pure presence of God. It was not mere hygiene but a spiritual action.

• "So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people": This phrase highlights Moses' immediate and obedient execution of God's command. His role as the direct conduit of God's will is central. The consecration indicates that the people are being prepared for a unique and sacred encounter, underscoring the demand for holiness when approaching a holy God.

• "and they washed their garments": This demonstrates the people's collective response and obedience to the command of purification. The physical act of washing garments was an outward sign of an inner commitment to purify themselves, recognizing the profound sanctity of the impending divine revelation. It was their part in becoming suitably prepared.

Exodus 19 14 Bonus section

• Symbolic Cleanliness: The washing of garments represented a separation from all ordinary life and the mundane. It wasn't just about dirt but about a state of commonality versus a state of sacred separation. This distinction was vital in Israelite life, setting a foundational principle for holiness in all aspects.
• A Call for Personal Holiness: While Moses performed the overarching act of consecration, the individual act of washing their garments placed a personal responsibility on each Israelite. It was a tangible response of obedience and willingness to be prepared. This prefigures the New Covenant emphasis on individual repentance and faith in response to God's call to holiness.
• God's Initiative: Importantly, God initiates this encounter and the purification requirements. It's not the people seeking to make themselves holy to approach an indifferent deity, but God Himself calling a people to Himself and providing the means and commands for their approach, underscoring His grace within His holiness.
• Mediatorial Role: The verse highlights Moses' essential role as the mediator. He "went down" from God to the people, underscoring that all instructions for purification came directly from God through His chosen messenger. This sets the stage for Moses' role in mediating the Law.

Exodus 19 14 Commentary

Exodus 19:14 encapsulates a critical moment of preparation for the grand theophany at Mount Sinai. It details the fulfillment of God's direct command through Moses, ensuring Israel's ritual readiness to encounter the Most High. The act of "consecrating" (Heb. qadash) elevates the people from a common state to one set apart for God's holy purpose. This consecration involved instructing them on the necessary purification steps, prominently featured in "washing their garments" (Heb. kabas). This outward purification was not merely about hygiene but served as a tangible, communal act symbolizing an internal desire for purity and reverence before God. It instilled in the Israelites a profound awareness of God's unapproachable holiness and their own need for purity to withstand His presence. This historical event set a precedent for future laws concerning ritual purity and reinforced the enduring truth that all who draw near to a holy God must do so with intentional preparation, purity, and reverence. It foreshadows the greater spiritual washing and sanctification required by God for believers in the New Covenant through Christ.