Exodus 19 19

Exodus 19:19 kjv

And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

Exodus 19:19 nkjv

And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.

Exodus 19:19 niv

As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

Exodus 19:19 esv

And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.

Exodus 19:19 nlt

As the blast of the ram's horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply.

Exodus 19 verses

Exodus 19 19 Meaning

Exodus 19:19 describes a pivotal moment during God's revelation at Mount Sinai. Amidst an intensifying trumpet blast that signified divine presence and power, Moses engaged in direct communication with God. This verse highlights the unique and profound relationship between God and Moses, wherein Moses served as the designated speaker and recipient of God's audible answer, mediating between the Holy God and the terrified Israelites.

Exodus 19 19 Context

Exodus 19 sets the stage for God's formal covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, three months after their exodus from Egypt. Verses 1-8 describe God's proposition of a unique covenant relationship, where Israel, if obedient, would become a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." The people enthusiastically agree. Verses 9-15 detail God's command for the people to consecrate themselves for three days, establishing boundaries around the mountain to prevent any unauthorized approach, lest they perish. The climax of this preparation culminates in verses 16-18, where a dramatic theophany unfolds with thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, a deafening trumpet blast, smoke, and a violently trembling mountain. Within this terrifying display of divine power and holiness, Exodus 19:19 occurs as a singular moment of personal interaction. Moses, as God's chosen leader, uniquely engages in conversation, while the overwhelming sights and sounds ensure the people remain at a distance, understanding the immensity and fearfulness of the LORD their God. This setup is crucial, demonstrating God's majesty and holiness, yet His willingness to communicate through a designated representative.

Exodus 19 19 Word analysis

• When: Signifies the culmination of the prior dramatic events and marks the specific timing of the subsequent actions. It emphasizes that Moses' speech and God's answer are directly concurrent with the intensified trumpet sound.
• the blast: (Hebrew: qōl, קוֹל - "voice, sound"). Here, referring to the "voice" or sound of the trumpet. It implies more than just noise; it's a sound pregnant with meaning, acting as a communication or signal of God's presence and command.
• of the trumpet: (Hebrew: šôp̄ār, שׁוֹפָר - "ram's horn"). This ancient instrument, a ram's horn, was used for signaling, assembly, warning, and liturgical purposes. Its presence here signifies a profound, divine pronouncement and marks sacred space and time. It is directly linked to God's manifesting presence.
• sounded long: (Hebrew: hālôḵ wĕḥāzēq, הָלֹךְ וְחָזֵק - literally "going and becoming strong" or "walking and strong"). This intensive verb phrase describes a continuous, escalating progression. It indicates that the sound was not static but was growing in duration and power, steadily amplifying the awe and dread.
• and became louder and louder: (Hebrew: wĕḥāzēq mĕʾōd, וְחָזֵק מְאֹד - "and very strong/loud"). This adverbial phrase further intensifies the previous description, conveying an extreme, overwhelming increase in volume and force. It underlines the magnitude of God's power and the terrifying nature of His arrival.
• Moses: (Hebrew: Mōšeh, מֹשֶׁה). The divinely chosen leader and unique mediator between God and Israel. His willingness and ability to speak in such an awe-inspiring presence highlight his unparalleled standing with God.
• spoke: (Hebrew: yĕdabbēr, יְדַבֵּר - "he would speak" or "he habitually spoke" from dibbēr). This suggests not a casual utterance but a significant, deliberate verbal address to God, likely a plea, question, or affirmation on behalf of the people or himself.
• and God: (Hebrew: wēʾĕlōhîm, וֵאלֹהִים - "and God"). Refers to the singular, true God, creator and covenant maker, expressed through the majestic plural "Elohim." This emphasizes God's sovereign authority and omnipotence.
• answered him: (Hebrew: yaʿanennû, יַעֲנֶנּוּ - "he answered him"). Signifies an immediate and direct divine response to Moses' speaking. This is God engaging in reciprocal verbal communication with His servant.
• by voice: (Hebrew: bĕqôl, בְּקוֹל - "in a voice"). Reinforces that God's answer was not merely a subtle impression or silent communication but an audible, vocalized reply, understood and heard by Moses, validating his mediatorial role.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "When the blast of the trumpet sounded long, and became louder and louder": This phrase meticulously paints an escalating sensory picture of the divine revelation. The continuously intensifying sound of the shofar is integral to the theophany, acting as a profound signifier of God's imminent, majestic, and terrifying presence, demanding utmost reverence and attention from those witnessing it. The terrifying volume prepares the scene for a moment of intimate dialogue.
• "Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice": This juxtaposes the overwhelming public display of divine power with a profound, private, and direct verbal interaction between God and His chosen representative. It highlights Moses' singular role as the privileged channel of communication, bridging the infinite gap between a Holy God and the mortal realm, where God's very voice could be heard. It underscores the personalized nature of God's covenant communication through Moses, a significant aspect of biblical theology.

Exodus 19 19 Bonus section

• The concept of the qol Shofar (voice of the trumpet) at Sinai lays a profound biblical foundation for understanding divine communication. It's not just a loud sound, but a "voice" (Hebrew: qol) that speaks of God's authority and commands attention, directly linking auditory phenomena to God's presence and message.
• The escalating intensity described in this verse (sounded long, louder and louder) is a deliberate literary device emphasizing the mounting tension and the unparalleled nature of this encounter, creating an indelible impression upon the Israelite witnesses and future generations.
• The unique privilege granted to Moses to speak directly to God and receive an audible reply in this highly charged environment prefigures the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the divine-human bridge and is the full expression of God's voice (John 1:1, Heb 1:1-2).
• This divine exchange establishes a pattern for prophetic inspiration and revelation, where God's chosen vessels hear His voice and deliver His word, distinguishing true prophecy from human speculation or imagination.

Exodus 19 19 Commentary

Exodus 19:19 is the theological pivot point of the Sinai theophany. It signifies the transition from the general, terrifying, and awesome manifestation of God's presence—marked by thunder, lightning, and an escalating trumpet sound—to specific, verbal communication with His chosen human mediator, Moses. The shophar's blast, growing continuously "long" and "louder and louder," emphasizes the solemnity, majesty, and unapproachable holiness of God. This sustained auditory experience heightens the drama, inducing a necessary reverence and fear among the Israelites, reminding them that they stand before the Living God.

Amidst this overwhelming divine display, Moses' action of "speaking" is profoundly significant. It showcases his unique calling and fearless role as God's representative, someone who could approach and engage with the Almighty where others were forbidden under penalty of death. Moses daring to speak is immediately met with God's direct and audible answer "by voice." This divine response underscores God's personal accessibility to His chosen servant, affirming Moses' mediatorial authority and the legitimacy of the revelation he would impart. This sacred dialogue serves as a testament to the relational nature of God, who, despite His terrifying power and holiness, condescends to speak audibly with humanity, initiating and sustaining His covenant. The verse encapsulates the essence of divine revelation: God makes Himself known powerfully and personally, using human vessels to convey His will.