Exodus 19:2 kjv

For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.

Exodus 19:2 nkjv

For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.

Exodus 19:2 niv

After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

Exodus 19:2 esv

They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain,

Exodus 19:2 nlt

After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.

Exodus 19 verses

Exodus 19 2 Meaning

Exodus 19:2 describes a significant turning point in Israel's journey from Egyptian bondage to the promised land. After departing from Rephidim, the Israelites arrived and set up their encampment in the wilderness of Sinai, directly in front of Mount Sinai, also known as Horeb. This verse marks the physical positioning of the entire Israelite community at the very place where God would reveal His Law, establish His covenant, and inaugurate His presence among His chosen people. It signifies the end of a prior stage of their wilderness travels and the commencement of a new, pivotal phase focused on divine encounter and the formation of a priestly kingdom.

Exodus 19 2 Context

Exodus 19:2 is strategically placed following a series of divine provisions and challenges in the wilderness. Prior to this verse, Israel experienced God's miraculous provision of manna and quails (Exod 16), water from the rock at Rephidim (Exod 17:1-7), and victory over Amalek (Exod 17:8-16), along with Jethro's wise counsel on judicial matters (Exod 18). These events prepared them, demonstrating God's faithfulness and testing their obedience, before bringing them to the sacred mountain.

Chapter 19, which this verse introduces, marks the climax of Israel's journey from Egypt. It sets the stage for God's majestic appearance, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and the establishment of the covenant that defines Israel's identity and their unique relationship with Yahweh. Their encampment "before the mount" is not a mere rest stop, but a divinely ordained assembly point for a crucial, life-altering encounter with the Almighty. Historically, this aligns with the ancient Near Eastern practice of deities revealing themselves and giving laws from mountains or sacred sites. For Israel, Sinai becomes the epicenter of their national identity and religious life, where a chaotic rabble is transformed into a covenant nation.

Exodus 19 2 Word analysis

• For they were departed: (Hebrew: וַיִּסְעוּ, vayis'u) - "And they journeyed." This verb denotes the breaking of camp and embarking on a journey. It implies a continuation of their divinely guided migration.
• from Rephidim: (Hebrew: מֵרְפִידִים, merephidim) - Rephidim, meaning "rests" or "supports," was a crucial waypoint where God provided water from the rock (Exod 17:1-7) and where Israel fought Amalek (Exod 17:8-16). Its mention here emphasizes the progress of their journey and the lessons learned (both of divine provision and their own rebellion) at the previous site.
• and were come: (Hebrew: וַיָּבֹאוּ, vayavo'u) - "and they came." A simple, direct verb indicating arrival, underscoring the purposefulness of their movement to this specific location.
• to the desert of Sinai: (Hebrew: מִדְבַּר סִינַי, midbar Sinay) -
  • desert: (midbar) - This term signifies a wilderness or steppe, an uninhabited, arid region. It represents a place of testing and reliance on God's provision, yet it is paradoxically also the primary location for divine revelation and intimate encounter in the Bible (e.g., God meeting Moses at the burning bush in this "midbar").
  • Sinai: This refers to the specific region surrounding the mountain. The term "Sinai" itself has possible linguistic links to the Babylonian moon god, Sin, or to a word meaning "to shine" or "thorny." However, its biblical significance vastly overshadows any such etymological theories; it is the place of Yahweh's unparalleled self-revelation.
• and had pitched: (Hebrew: וַיַּחֲנוּ, vayachenu) - "and they encamped." This signifies establishing a temporary settlement, preparing to remain there for a period. It implies a pause in their journey, signaling that this was not just a passing through.
• in the wilderness: (Hebrew: בַּמִּדְבָּר, bammidbar) - Repetition of midbar (wilderness). This reiterates the harsh environment and reinforces that this pivotal divine encounter is taking place in a setting of complete dependency on God.
• and there Israel camped: (Hebrew: וַיִּחַן שָׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayichan sham Yisra'el) - "and Israel encamped there." The inclusion of "Israel" here emphasizes that it was the entire nation, as a collective body, positioned before the mountain. It highlights their unity and corporate identity as the chosen people, awaiting instruction.
• before the mount: (Hebrew: נֶגֶד הָהָר, neged hahar) -
  • before: (neged) - Meaning "opposite," "in front of," or "in the presence of." This preposition strategically places the people directly facing the sacred mountain, preparing them for an awe-inspiring, direct encounter with God's presence, rather than just being near it.
  • the mount: (hahahar) - "The mountain." This is the mountain of God, Horeb (Exod 3:1), where Moses first encountered Yahweh and was given his commission. Its significance is immense as the focal point for the forthcoming covenant.

Words-group analysis:

• "For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai": This phrase precisely charts the geographical progression, signifying a journey that moves beyond past experiences (Rephidim's provisions and battles) to a new, destined spiritual encounter at Sinai. It's a divinely orchestrated movement to a specific rendezvous point.
• "and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount": This details the specific action and precise positioning of the people. "Pitched in the wilderness" emphasizes the environmental context, while "Israel camped before the mount" underscores the collective nature of the nation's readiness and the specific orientation toward the place of divine revelation. The collective "Israel" signifies their corporate readiness to receive the covenant.

Exodus 19 2 Bonus section

The seemingly simple act of "camping before the mount" holds tremendous spiritual weight. This exact spot is referred to in different contexts as Mount Horeb (e.g., Exod 3:1, Deu 4:10) or Mount Sinai (e.g., Exod 19:11, 20:20). While there's scholarly debate over whether Horeb is a broader range and Sinai a specific peak, for the biblical narrative, they denote the same sacred location for the giving of the Law. The journey from Rephidim to Sinai occurred in the "third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt" (Exod 19:1), placing their arrival roughly 50 days after Passover, which directly correlates with the timing of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) later celebrated, traditionally marking the giving of the Law. This highlights divine timing and preparation for a new spiritual order, signifying the transition from deliverance to divine legislation. The strategic positioning of the camp also speaks to God's intent for the entire assembly to witness His glory and hear His voice, laying the groundwork for a collective, covenantal relationship.

Exodus 19 2 Commentary

Exodus 19:2 is not merely a geographical marker in the Exodus narrative; it is a profound theological statement of God's leading His chosen people to a predetermined meeting place for a unique covenant. The arrival at "the desert of Sinai" signifies the cessation of their journey as an aimless multitude and their purposeful placement before "the mount," which is the very threshold of God's presence. This moment encapsulates the culmination of divine providence in their exodus—God delivered them, sustained them, and now positioned them for a deeper relationship.

Their encampment "before the mount" is a picture of profound expectation and a prelude to the dramatic theophany that will unfold. It represents a people being gathered by God, prepared through prior hardships and provisions, to receive His Law and become His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests. This encounter at Sinai would permanently define Israel's identity, separating them as a nation under God's direct governance and revelation.

Practically, this verse reminds us that God leads His people to specific places and times for transformative encounters. Sometimes, these "deserts" are barren and challenging, yet they are precisely where God chooses to reveal Himself most powerfully. We, too, are brought to specific spiritual locations—through trials, through waiting, or through divine leading—where God intends to deepen our understanding of Him and establish our identity in His purposes. It's a call to readiness and humble expectation of His unveiling.