Exodus 19 17

Exodus 19:17 kjv

And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

Exodus 19:17 nkjv

And Moses brought th e people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Exodus 19:17 niv

Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Exodus 19:17 esv

Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.

Exodus 19:17 nlt

Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Exodus 19 verses

Exodus 19 17 Meaning

Exodus 19:17 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's history: Moses faithfully brought the entire congregation of the people out from their camp at the base of Mount Sinai. Their purpose was to formally and physically present themselves before God, in eager and reverent anticipation of His direct manifestation and revelation. This act symbolized their readiness and humility to encounter the Holy One.

Exodus 19 17 Context

Exodus chapter 19 describes the events leading up to the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. After their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and journey through the wilderness, Israel arrived at the foot of Mount Sinai (Horeb). God initiated a covenant proposal, reminding them of His gracious acts and inviting them to become His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exod 19:3-6). The people readily agreed, saying, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do" (Exod 19:8). This set the stage for the formal, dramatic, and awe-inspiring encounter between the Holy God and His chosen people. The preceding verses (Exod 19:10-15) detail God's specific instructions through Moses for the people to consecrate themselves: wash their clothes, abstain from marital relations, and set boundaries around the mountain, emphasizing its sacred and unapproachable nature for common man. Verse 17 depicts Moses' direct implementation of these divine commands, physically positioning the people in anticipation of the covenant unveiling. This act of "standing" signifies readiness and a posture of humility and expectancy before the transcendent Holy God.

Exodus 19 17 Word analysis

• And Moses brought forth (וַיּוֹצֵא֙ - wayyōṣēʾ): The Hebrew verb is Hiphil imperfect consecutive from the root יָצָא (yatsa), meaning "to cause to go out" or "bring out." This highlights Moses' active, directive role as God's chosen leader and mediator. He is not merely suggesting but enacting God's command to gather the people.
• the people (הָעָם - hāʿām): Refers to the entire Israelite congregation. This was not a select few but a corporate act of the nation. It underscores the public and communal nature of the covenant revelation.
• out of the camp (מִן־הַמַּחֲנֶ֔ה - min-hammāḥăneh): This specifies their location. Coming "out of the camp" signifies leaving their ordinary dwelling places and everyday activities. It symbolizes a movement from common space to a consecrated, sacred sphere of encounter, an act of intentional separation for a holy purpose.
• to meet with God (לִקְרַ֖את הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים - liqraʾṯ hāʾĕlōhîm): The phrase liqraʾṯ means "towards, in order to meet." This clarifies the explicit purpose of their movement: a direct, intentional, and face-to-face (though veiled) encounter with Yahweh, who is designated as ʾĕlōhîm, God. This highlights the unprecedented nature of this divine condescension, as God chose to reveal Himself to an entire nation. It also underscores that this meeting was at God's initiative (Exod 19:9), not their own.
• and they stood (וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֛וּ - wayyiṯyaṣṣəbū): This is the Hithpael imperfect consecutive of יָצַב (yatsab), meaning "to take one's stand," "to present oneself," or "to establish oneself." The Hithpael stem often denotes reflexive or reciprocal action, here emphasizing the people's willing and determined posture. Their standing implies readiness, alertness, and a prepared, respectful posture of expectation and awe, rather than casual observance. It suggests they were attentive and waiting for divine action.
• at the nether part of the mount (בְּתַחְתִּ֖ית הָהָֽר - bətaḥtît hāhār): "At the lowest part of the mountain" or "at its base." This exact positioning is critical. It literally fulfilled the divine instruction to set bounds around the mountain (Exod 19:12). Their placement at the base served to enforce God's holiness and transcendence, illustrating that while God would meet with them, His divine majesty on the summit was not to be casually approached or trespassed upon, lest they perish (Exod 19:21-24). This boundary highlights both God's accessibility and His terrifying holiness.
• "to meet with God" (לִקְרַאת הָאֱלֹהִים) and "at the nether part of the mount" (בְּתַחְתִּית הָהָֽר): These two phrases are intentionally juxtaposed. They are "meeting with God" directly, yet also strictly adhering to the "nether part," emphasizing a structured, mediated encounter that balances divine accessibility with an overwhelming sense of sacred boundary and divine majesty. This is the posture of humble reverence.

Exodus 19 17 Bonus section

The disciplined formation of the people at the mountain's base, distinct from their camp, serves as a powerful visual testament to the foundational concept of sanctification and separation. It contrasts their everyday life with the sacred act they are about to witness, drawing a clear line between the profane and the holy. This scene further underscores Moses' crucial role as a faithful and effective mediator, entrusted with implementing God's meticulous instructions for preparing His people. It implicitly lays the groundwork for the priestly functions and tabernacle ordinances, all designed to maintain the separation and reverence necessary for God to dwell among His people without consuming them. This initial "standing" prefigures Israel's continued corporate posture throughout their wilderness wanderings—ever mindful of God's presence in their midst, yet continually needing to approach Him on His terms.

Exodus 19 17 Commentary

Exodus 19:17 presents the culmination of days of preparation, showing the entire Israelite nation, under Moses' leadership, poised to receive the Divine revelation. The movement "out of the camp" signifies their separation from the mundane and their collective readiness for a holy encounter. The destination, "to meet with God," underscores the extraordinary condescension of the Almighty choosing to manifest Himself directly to a vast multitude. Their posture, "they stood at the nether part of the mount," speaks volumes: it conveys both anticipation and submission. This literal standing fulfilled the boundary requirements, symbolizing their humble recognition of God's transcendent holiness and their own creaturely limits. It was an act of corporate obedience and reverent expectation, setting the scene for the dramatic theophany that immediately follows. The tension between approaching a holy God and being utterly unable to trespass upon His sacred space is masterfully conveyed. In practical usage, this moment serves as a timeless example of how humanity should approach the divine: with meticulous preparation, communal unity, expectant faith, and profound reverence for His sovereign and holy nature. This echoes for us that true worship is not casual but requires respectful anticipation of God's presence, understanding His awesome holiness.