Exodus 19:15 kjv

And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

Exodus 19:15 nkjv

And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not come near your wives."

Exodus 19:15 niv

Then he said to the people, "Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations."

Exodus 19:15 esv

And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman."

Exodus 19:15 nlt

He told them, "Get ready for the third day, and until then abstain from having sexual intercourse."

Exodus 19 verses

Exodus 19 15 Meaning

Exodus 19:15 presents God's direct instruction, given through Moses, to the people of Israel concerning their necessary preparation to meet with Him at Mount Sinai. It is a command for communal sanctification and ritual purity, setting specific physical and temporal boundaries in anticipation of a holy encounter with the divine. The core meaning is the urgent requirement for Israel to purify themselves and be ready by the designated "third day," particularly emphasizing sexual abstinence as part of this consecration, signifying absolute devotion and separation for God's presence.

Exodus 19 15 Context

Exodus 19 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. The Israelites, having been miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage, have journeyed through the wilderness to the foot of Mount Sinai, also known as Horeb. God has already entered into a preliminary covenant with them, declaring His intent to make them "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exod 19:6). The immediate verses prior (Exod 19:10-14) outline more detailed instructions for preparation: the people are to consecrate themselves, wash their clothes, and set boundaries around the mountain, warning against anyone touching the mountain and dying. Verse 15 thus comes as a direct command from Moses, relaying God's explicit instruction regarding a specific aspect of this communal sanctification—sexual abstinence—all within the broader context of preparing for the divine descent and the giving of the Law, establishing the covenant relationship. This moment sets the standard for how a holy God is to be approached.

Exodus 19 15 Word analysis

• And he said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyō’mer): This phrase emphasizes Moses' role as the mediator, faithfully conveying God's direct instructions to the people. It highlights the divine authority behind the command.

• to the people (אֶל-הָעָם - ʾel-hāʿām): This signifies that the command is for the entire community of Israel, not just the leaders or a select group. It underscores the corporate nature of their covenant relationship with God and the expectation of universal holiness.

• Be ready (הֱיוּ נְכֹנִים - həyū nəḵōnīm / or more fitting for 'consecrate' from Exod 19:10 as a broader concept, in Exod 19:15, qadash (קָדַשׁ) from Exod 19:10-14 is underlying concept): The specific term used in the Septuagint and some interpretations for "be ready" can tie back to qadash (קָדַשׁ) which means "to be consecrated," "to be holy," "to be set apart." This is more than mere physical preparation; it implies a spiritual and ritual cleansing, setting oneself apart for a sacred purpose. It denotes a change in state from common to holy, making them fit to encounter the holy presence of God.

• for the third day (לַיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי - layyōwm haššəlišhī): The "third day" is a specific, divinely appointed time for God's manifestation. This numerical emphasis appears repeatedly in Scripture for significant events (e.g., resurrection, divine appearance), suggesting not just a chronological marker but a divinely ordained, climactic timing. It built anticipation and reinforced the gravity of the upcoming encounter.

• do not go near (אַל-תִּגְּשׁוּ - ʾal-tigəšū): A strong, imperative prohibition. The verb naggash (נָגַשׁ) means "to approach" or "to draw near." Here, it's explicitly forbidden, indicating a clear boundary and a requirement for strict separation.

• a woman (אִשָּׁה - ʾiššāh): This refers specifically to abstaining from marital relations. In ancient Israelite purity laws, seminal emission rendered a man ritually unclean until evening (Lev 15:16-18), requiring washing. While not inherently sinful, this state of ritual impurity was incompatible with approaching the supremely Holy God in such a direct and monumental encounter. This physical separation underscored a heightened spiritual focus, directing all attention and energy towards God.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "And he said to the people": This establishes Moses as the mouthpiece for a communal divine instruction. It highlights the direct communication from God to His chosen people, emphasizing accountability and the universal nature of the command for Israel.
  • "Be ready for the third day": This phrase combines the command for immediate and sustained preparation with a precise timeline for the divine encounter. It underscores God's meticulous ordering of events and the seriousness of the people's required readiness, both physically and ritually, leading up to His manifestation.
  • "do not go near a woman": This specific command serves as a concrete and measurable aspect of the required holiness. It emphasizes the need for maximal ritual purity, indicating that even natural and permissible acts become restricted in the context of extreme divine holiness to ensure absolute focus and separation. This highlights the awe and reverence due to God.

Exodus 19 15 Bonus Section

• The requirement for the entire nation to consecrate themselves highlights Israel's corporate identity as a "holy nation" and a "kingdom of priests" (Exod 19:6). Holiness was not reserved solely for the priesthood but was an expectation for the whole community as they entered covenant with God.
• The "third day" motif is a significant recurring pattern in Scripture, often marking divine culmination, rescue, or a turning point. It anticipates moments like Jonah's deliverance, Jesus' resurrection, and even some key points in the Genesis narrative (e.g., Abraham's journey to Moriah).
• While physical cleanliness and sexual abstinence were commanded for ritual purity, this passage ultimately points to an internal state of heart and mind—a spirit of awe, reverence, and readiness to hear and obey God's Word. The external act served as a tangible expression of internal disposition.
• This instruction lays groundwork for understanding subsequent purity laws and sacrificial systems in the Pentateuch, all designed to facilitate God's presence among His people despite their unholiness, primarily through atonement.

Exodus 19 15 Commentary

Exodus 19:15 encapsulates a profound theological truth: the immeasurable holiness of God necessitates rigorous preparation from humanity when approaching Him. The command for the Israelites to "be ready" through ritual cleansing and the specific injunction to abstain from marital intimacy underscores that encountering the Holy God is not a casual affair. It requires intentional separation from the ordinary and a dedication of mind and body to a sacred purpose. The "third day" serves as a specific, pre-ordained time, amplifying the sense of divine purpose and climax.

The prohibition regarding sexual relations was rooted in the Levitical purity codes (Lev 15), where bodily emissions rendered individuals ritually, though not morally, impure. To approach God in His awesome glory at Sinai demanded the highest state of ritual purity available to the community, signifying undivided attention and utter consecration. This command serves as a foundational lesson that the worship of God demands sacrifice, reverence, and a profound understanding of His distinct nature. While outward rituals marked this Old Covenant preparation, the underlying principle foreshadows the spiritual purity and holiness (Heb 12:14) required to draw near to God under the New Covenant through Christ, where our hearts are consecrated and our lives dedicated to Him.