Exodus 19:5 kjv

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Exodus 19:5 nkjv

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

Exodus 19:5 niv

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

Exodus 19:5 esv

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;

Exodus 19:5 nlt

Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.

Exodus 19 verses

Exodus 19 5 Meaning

Exodus 19:5 articulates a conditional proposition from God to the newly liberated Israelites at Mount Sinai. It states that if they diligently listen to and obey His voice, and faithfully keep His covenant, they will then become His exclusive, cherished possession from among all nations. This profound status is grounded in the foundational truth that the entire earth belongs to God, signifying His supreme sovereignty and right to choose whom He wills for a unique relationship.

Exodus 19 5 Context

Exodus 19 takes place three months after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, following their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. They have arrived at the wilderness of Sinai, encampment before the mountain. This chapter marks a pivotal moment, as God, having delivered them from bondage, now initiates a formal covenant relationship with them. Verse 5 is part of God's initial address to the people, relayed through Moses, laying out the terms and potential privileges of this unique covenant. It establishes the foundational principle that Israel's favored status is not inherent but conditional upon their obedience to God's commandments and their faithfulness to the covenant He is about to make with them. This is preparatory for the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law. The phrase "for all the earth is Mine" serves as God's irrefutable authority for setting these terms.

Exodus 19 5 Word analysis

• Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice:
  • "Now therefore": Establishes a logical consequence. Given God's actions (deliverance, Ex 19:4), this is the next step for Israel.
  • "if you will indeed obey": This is a powerful, emphatic double infinitive construction in Hebrew: שָׁמֹ֤עַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ (shamoa' tishma'u). It literally means "hearing you shall hear" or "listening you shall listen." This intensifies the requirement, implying diligent, careful, and active heeding of God's word, not merely passive acknowledgment. It speaks of a heartfelt compliance rather than just external conformity.
  • "My voice": Refers to God's direct commandments and instructions. It implies a personal relationship where one listens to the authoritative words of a speaker. This anticipates the revelation of the Law and implies a living, speaking God unlike the silent idols of other nations.
• and keep My covenant,
  • "keep": From the Hebrew שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning to guard, observe, preserve, or take care of. It implies active responsibility in upholding the terms of the agreement.
  • "My covenant": בְּרִיתִ֔י (beriti). A solemn agreement or treaty, initiated by God. This covenant establishes the relationship, duties, and blessings between God and Israel. It builds upon previous covenants with Noah and Abraham but introduces a national, conditional, and law-based dimension. This distinguishes Yahweh from pagan deities, whose relationships were often based on propitiation or appeasement, not a moral covenant based on ethical obedience.
• then you shall be My special treasure
  • "then": Highlights the conditional nature of the promise.
  • "My special treasure": סְגֻלָּה (segullah). This is a crucial term, meaning a prized personal possession, a peculiar property, something especially valued and highly guarded. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, a king's segullah might be his most precious jewels or private treasury. For Israel, it means they are uniquely chosen, esteemed, and cherished by God among all peoples, not for their size or might, but by divine election and covenant loyalty. This status sets them apart and confers immense privilege and responsibility. It suggests intimacy and exclusive ownership.
• among all peoples;
  • "among all peoples": מִכָּל־הָעַמִּ֖ים (mikkol ha'amim). This emphasizes Israel's distinctness and unique position globally. While chosen, this particular status is not for their sole benefit but also implies a witness or a channel through which God's purposes will ultimately extend to all nations. This sets up the tension and interplay between Israel's particular election and God's universal redemptive plan for humanity.
• for all the earth is Mine.
  • "for": Introduces the foundational reason or basis for God's assertion.
  • "all the earth is Mine": כִּי־לִ֥י כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (ki-li kol-ha'aretz). This declaration establishes God's absolute and universal sovereignty. It counters any polytheistic notions of regional deities and underscores that God, as the Creator and Sovereign, has the inherent right and power to choose a specific people, even while maintaining authority over all. His choice of Israel is not because of any lack of dominion elsewhere, but because of His sovereign will and purposes. It reinforces the idea that Israel's special status is entirely a gift based on God's omnipotence and proprietorship over creation.

Exodus 19 5 Bonus section

The "segullah" concept carries a profound theological weight that extends into the New Testament. While Israel initially received this status, the New Testament applies similar language to believers in Christ. This doesn't mean a supersession of Israel, but rather an expansion of God's covenantal "special treasure" through spiritual lineage, where those who obey the New Covenant are incorporated into God's peculiar people. The New Testament writers, particularly Peter and Paul, repurpose "segullah" (translated as "special people" or "purchased possession") for the Church (Tit 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9). This demonstrates a continuity in God's desire for a people set apart for Him through faith and obedience, who bear His name and reflect His character to the world. It also speaks to the internal transformation necessary for true obedience, a hallmark of the New Covenant where God writes His laws on the hearts of His people (Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10). The emphasis on "obey My voice" remains central in the new covenant, shifting from written law primarily to the "Spirit of the living God" empowering inner transformation that manifests as obedience (2 Cor 3:3).

Exodus 19 5 Commentary

Exodus 19:5 is a foundational statement defining the unique covenant relationship between God and Israel. It establishes a quid pro quo: Israel's privileged status as God's "special treasure" is entirely dependent upon their willing and diligent obedience to His voice and faithful adherence to the covenant He institutes. This conditional clause highlights that divine favor is not unconditional for the nation but hinges on their response to His Law. The emphatic Hebrew phrasing for "obey My voice" underscores the deep level of attentiveness and active compliance God expects. The concept of "segullah" (special treasure) communicates God's profound valuing of Israel, seeing them as a precious, exclusive possession distinct from all other nations. This profound election, however, carries with it immense responsibility to live up to the terms of the covenant. The concluding affirmation, "for all the earth is Mine," provides the absolute theological underpinning for God's authority in establishing such a unique relationship. It clarifies that God's choice of Israel is not born out of necessity or limited dominion, but rather an expression of His supreme, unchallenged sovereignty over all creation. He has the absolute right to choose and to set conditions. Ultimately, Israel's role was to be a living testament to God's glory among the nations, showcasing the benefits of covenant obedience, with the understanding that God's plan encompassed all humanity through this initial distinct choice.