Exodus 19:3 kjv

And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

Exodus 19:3 nkjv

And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:

Exodus 19:3 niv

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:

Exodus 19:3 esv

while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:

Exodus 19:3 nlt

Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel:

Exodus 19 verses

Exodus 19 3 Meaning

Exodus 19:3 details the pivotal moment at Mount Sinai when Moses ascends to God, and the LORD (Yahweh) calls to him from the mountain. This verse establishes God's direct initiative in communicating His forthcoming covenant message. Moses is commanded to convey this divine word to "the house of Jacob" and "the children of Israel," setting the stage for the formal establishment of the Mosaic covenant and the giving of the Law. It underscores Moses' unique role as the divinely appointed mediator between God and the Israelite nation.

Exodus 19 3 Context

Exodus 19:3 is found at a crucial juncture in the narrative of Israel's journey after their deliverance from Egypt. They have journeyed from Rephidim and arrived at the wilderness of Sinai, encamping before the mountain (Exod 19:1-2). This encampment signals the culmination of God's promise to bring them to "serve God upon this mountain" (Exod 3:12). The verse marks the immediate prelude to the giving of the Ten Commandments and the covenant between God and Israel. It establishes the protocol for the divine communication: Moses ascends to God, receives the message directly, and then relays it to the people. This interaction prepares for the direct theophany and covenant stipulations that follow in the subsequent verses and chapters. Historically, this event signifies the birth of Israel as a unique nation under God's explicit law, distinguishing them from all other nations. It stands in stark contrast to the polytheistic and often nature-worshiping beliefs prevalent in surrounding cultures, asserting Yahweh as the sole sovereign deity who communicates directly and legislates for His chosen people.

Exodus 19 3 Word analysis

• And Moses (WĕMōšeh): Establishes Moses as the central human figure, God's designated messenger and mediator. His previous encounters with God at the burning bush and leading Israel through the Exodus confirm his unique relationship with the divine.
• went up (‘ālāh): Implies an intentional ascent, not merely physical elevation, but a movement towards the divine presence and authority. This act signifies obedience, seeking communion, and preparation for divine revelation.
• unto God (’el hā’Ĕlōhîm): This uses the general Hebrew term for "God," 'Elohim, indicating a movement towards the divine, emphasizing the sacred and supreme nature of the one he is approaching. It suggests Moses is going to a realm distinct from the human, a holy encounter.
• and the LORD (wYHWH): Immediately following "unto God," the shift to YHWH (Yahweh), the personal covenant name of God, is highly significant. While Moses went up to Elohim, it is Yahweh who initiated the call. This highlights the relational and covenantal aspect of God's self-revelation. It emphasizes God's personal initiative and sovereign authority in choosing to speak.
• called unto him (qārā’ ’ēlāyw): Underscores divine initiative. God calls to Moses, reinforcing that this encounter is not simply Moses' striving but God's gracious summoning. It indicates an active, vocal invitation.
• out of the mountain (min-hāhār): Mount Sinai is established as the sacred location, the chosen site for this divine revelation (theophany). The mountain symbolizes God's transcendent holiness, separation from humanity, and a place where heaven and earth intersect for divine communication.
• saying (lē’mōr): Introduces the direct content of God's communication, a verbal command or instruction.
• Thus shalt thou say (Kōh tō’mar): A direct divine imperative. Moses is commissioned as an oracle-bearer; his words are to be precisely God's words, underscoring his mediatorial role and the divine authority behind the message.
• to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: This dual appellation for the same people, the Israelite nation, is deliberate and common in biblical texts.
  • the house of Jacob (bêt Ya‘ăqōb): Evokes the patriarchal lineage, emphasizing their ancestral roots and the continuity of the covenant promises made to Jacob/Israel (Gen 28:13-15; 35:9-12). It connects the present generation to their foundational history and divine promises.
  • and tell the children of Israel (wəṯaggîḏ libnê Yiśrā’ēl): "Children of Israel" emphasizes their identity as a distinct people group, the descendants of Israel, who would become a holy nation. The phrase "tell" (nagid) often implies a declaration, reporting, or announcing something weighty, befitting the momentous message that follows. The use of both phrases stresses the comprehensive nature of the audience and the full scope of God's covenant with them as a collective.

Exodus 19 3 Bonus section

The ascent of Moses to God on the mountain foreshadows later biblical narratives of direct communion with God, particularly divine commissionings. The act of going up the mountain is often symbolic of approaching sacred space, drawing closer to the divine presence. The covenant made at Sinai, inaugurated through this exchange, profoundly shaped Israel's identity, law, and understanding of God for millennia, serving as the blueprint for their national and spiritual life. This divine call to Moses is part of a recurring biblical pattern where God sovereignly calls individuals and groups into relationship and service, as seen with Abraham, David, and ultimately in the call to follow Jesus.

Exodus 19 3 Commentary

Exodus 19:3 acts as a gateway to one of the most significant events in salvation history: the giving of the Law and the formalization of the covenant at Sinai. The divine initiative is paramount here; God calls Moses to ascend, not waiting for Moses to approach. This highlights God's sovereignty and His desire to establish a unique relationship with Israel. The shift from the general term "God" (Elohim) when Moses ascends to the personal name "LORD" (YHWH) when God speaks reinforces the intimate, covenantal nature of this particular revelation. Mount Sinai itself is not just a geographical location but a sanctified space for divine encounter, chosen by God for His direct revelation. Moses' role as a mediator is firmly established. He is not merely an individual seeking spiritual experience but a divinely commissioned spokesman. He must convey God's exact words, prefaced by "Thus shalt thou say." The addressing of the nation as "the house of Jacob" and "the children of Israel" serves as a powerful reminder of their historical identity, rooted in the patriarchal promises, and their present status as God's chosen people gathered at the mountain. This prepares them to receive the specific stipulations of the covenant that will define their life and worship. The entire exchange sets the stage for a covenant that will reveal God's character, prescribe how Israel is to live as His holy people, and lay the groundwork for understanding humanity's need for a greater mediator.