Exodus 19 24

Exodus 19:24 kjv

And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.

Exodus 19:24 nkjv

Then the LORD said to him, "Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest He break out against them."

Exodus 19:24 niv

The LORD replied, "Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them."

Exodus 19:24 esv

And the LORD said to him, "Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them."

Exodus 19:24 nlt

But the LORD said, "Go down and bring Aaron back up with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or the people break through to approach the LORD, or he will break out and destroy them."

Exodus 19 verses

Exodus 19 24 Meaning

Exodus 19:24 records God's re-emphasis to Moses, who is already on Mount Sinai, of the absolute necessity for strict adherence to the sacred boundaries established around the mountain. The divine instruction allows Moses, and now specifically Aaron, to ascend, but reiterates a severe prohibition against the "priests" (those potentially already fulfilling some priestly role or certain leaders) and the general populace from crossing these divine limits. The explicit warning is that a breach of these boundaries by either group will result in a destructive divine outburst against them, underscoring God's perfect holiness and the solemn reverence required in His presence. This verse highlights the profound separation between a holy God and unholy humanity, mediated through divinely appointed individuals.

Exodus 19 24 Context

Exodus 19 records a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative: Israel's arrival at Mount Sinai and God's initiative to enter into a covenant relationship with them. This chapter sets the stage for the giving of the Law. After bringing Israel out of Egypt on eagles' wings (Exod 19:4), God calls Moses up the mountain and declares His intention to make Israel "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exod 19:6).

In preparation for His awesome appearance and the covenant delivery, God commands strict sanctification for the people and the establishment of physical boundaries around the mountain. The people were warned not to touch the mountain, lest they die (Exod 19:12-13). Despite this, there seems to be a recurring temptation or curiosity to breach the limits. Just prior to verse 24, God had already told Moses to "Go down and warn the people lest they break through to the LORD to look, and many of them perish" (Exod 19:21). Moses initially expresses that the people already observed the boundaries (Exod 19:23). However, the repetition in verse 24 suggests God's supreme insistence on the sanctity of His presence, implying that Moses' initial report or the people's compliance might not be sufficient to God's standard of holiness or that there was a lingering inclination among the people to overstep. This instruction emphasizes that approaching the Divine requires specific divine authorization, underscoring the formidable holiness of God and the dangerous consequences of presumption. It also explicitly clarifies that Aaron, while now allowed to accompany Moses up the mountain, is still operating under strict limitations, and "priests" alongside the common people remain absolutely forbidden.

Exodus 19 24 Word analysis

• And the LORD: Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה (wa yō'mer Yahweh). "Yahweh" (often rendered LORD in English Bibles) is God's personal covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature and His relational faithfulness to His people. The repeated utterance of Yahweh highlights the direct, authoritative, and unchanging nature of this divine command.
• said unto him, Go, get thee down, and thou shalt come up: This instruction, given to Moses while he is on the mountain (from the immediate preceding context, Exod 19:20), is significant. It implies Moses is to descend once more, perhaps to ensure Aaron is fully ready and positioned, and to unequivocally relay this repeated, firm warning to the people and "priests," before then re-ascending with Aaron. The imperative "Go down" emphasizes urgency and the need for Moses to be God's immediate messenger regarding this critical boundary. "Come up" reiterates Moses' authorized access.
• thou, and Aaron with thee: This explicitly introduces Aaron by name into the narrative of permitted access to God's presence on the mountain. Previously, it was only Moses (Exod 19:20). This foretells Aaron's future, divinely appointed role as High Priest, the one designated mediator alongside Moses. His access is not self-appointed but divinely sanctioned.
• but let not the priests: Hebrew: וְהַכֹּהֲנִים (wə hakkōhanim). The identity of these "priests" before the formal establishment of the Aaronic priesthood is debated. They likely refer to:
  • Firstborn sons: In patriarchal society, the firstborn often held priestly rights (Num 3:13).
  • Chosen young men: Those referred to in Exodus 24:5 who offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
  • Leaders or elders: Certain figures among the people who already had some designated sacred function.
  • General male heads of households: As was common in early forms of worship.Regardless of their exact identity, the instruction is clear: even those with existing or anticipated religious responsibilities are not to presume access beyond their designated role.
• and the people: Hebrew: וְהָעָם (wə haʿam). Refers to the general Israelite populace, encompassing all individuals not specifically authorized for higher access. This includes everyone outside of Moses and Aaron.
• break through: Hebrew: יֶהֶרְסוּ (yehersu), from the root הָרַס (haras), meaning "to break down, demolish, pull down, destroy." This verb conveys a sense of violent, unauthorized transgression, as if breaking through a wall or barrier. It implies presumption, defiance, and a blatant disregard for God's holy boundaries. It is an aggressive, presumptuous act.
• to come up unto the LORD: Hebrew: לַעֲלוֹת אֶל־יְהוָה (laʿalot el Yahweh). "To ascend to Yahweh." This refers not to physical climbing but to seeking direct access to God's manifest presence on the mountain. Their desire, even if out of curiosity or devotion, is deemed illicit if uncommissioned by God.
• lest he break forth upon them: Hebrew: פֶּן־יִפְרָץ־בָּם (pen yifrots-bam). This is a strong and fearful warning. "Break forth" (from פָּרַץ, parats) means to burst out, to burst forth against, to become unrestrained in a destructive way. It implies a swift, severe, and catastrophic divine judgment. The word connects thematically to "break through" (haras), implying a reciprocal action: because they break the boundary (haras), God will break out (parats) against them in judgment. This is not arbitrary anger but a just consequence for sacrilege. It highlights God's absolute intolerance for irreverence and disobedience regarding His holiness.

Exodus 19 24 Bonus section

• The Repetition's Significance: The repetition of the warning (from Exod 19:21) despite Moses' response (Exod 19:23) underscores God's absolute seriousness and unyielding standard for holiness. It might suggest God foresaw or perceived an enduring human tendency to test boundaries or to approach the divine with insufficient awe. It serves as an emphatic pedagogical tool to implant deep reverence.
• Foreshadowing Priesthood: This verse lays early groundwork for the exclusive Aaronic priesthood and the detailed sacrificial system. Before the Tabernacle, this encounter at Sinai defines the proper access hierarchy. The permission for Moses and Aaron sets them apart as initial and chief mediators, establishing the principle that God's people would always need a divinely appointed way to approach Him.
• Divine Reciprocity in Judgment: The parallel use of "break through" (haras) by the people and "break forth" (parats) by God illustrates a divine reciprocity in judgment. A breach of the holy boundary on the human side evokes a breach of judgment on the divine side, signifying God's active, proportionate response to sacrilege.
• Awe and Fear vs. Terror: The fear instilled by these warnings was intended to be "holy fear" or "awe" (yirah), leading to worship and obedience, not paralyzing terror. However, the immediate consequence of "breaking forth" emphasized the destructive aspect of that fear when the awe was absent and presumption reigned. This balance is crucial for a healthy relationship with a holy God.

Exodus 19 24 Commentary

Exodus 19:24 serves as a solemn and non-negotiable reiteration of divine protocol regarding access to the holy. Despite Moses' initial assurance that the boundaries were observed, God's repetition of the command, "Go, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them," underlines the critical importance of divine order and holiness. This is not about arbitrary restrictions but about God's intrinsic nature. His presence, especially in His full glory, is utterly consuming to anything impure or unauthorized.

The verse clarifies that even those within the community who held some pre-Aaronic priestly function, alongside the general populace, were absolutely forbidden to transgress. This was a direct lesson in proper approach: all access to God's ultimate presence must be divinely initiated and mediated. This set the precedent for the future Tabernacle and Temple worship, where access to the holiest parts was severely restricted to the High Priest, only at appointed times, and with elaborate preparations. It teaches that curiosity or even well-meaning desire is insufficient grounds for approaching God on one's own terms; reverence, humility, and submission to His established channels are paramount. The fearful consequence—"lest he break forth upon them"—underscores the absolute stakes involved, revealing God's jealous concern for His honor and the destructive power of unmediated contact with divine holiness for sinful beings. This fear served not to deter worship but to instill proper awe and ensure safety in His presence. It prefigures the necessity of Christ's perfect mediation, who, as the ultimate High Priest, grants secure access to God through His own atoning blood, replacing the terrifying inaccessibility of Sinai with confident entry into God's presence (Hebrews 10:19-22).