Exodus 20:19 kjv

And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

Exodus 20:19 nkjv

Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die."

Exodus 20:19 niv

and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."

Exodus 20:19 esv

and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die."

Exodus 20:19 nlt

And they said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen. But don't let God speak directly to us, or we will die!"

Exodus 20 verses

Exodus 20 19 Meaning

Exodus 20:19 records the Israelites' profound fear and overwhelming awe in response to God's terrifying presence and direct speech at Mount Sinai, immediately after the giving of the Ten Commandments. Overwhelmed by the thunder, lightning, and loud trumpet blast (Exod 20:18), they plead with Moses to act as their sole mediator. Their cry, "You speak to us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die," reveals their recognition of God's holy power and their own inability to withstand such unmediated divine encounter without perishing. They commit to listening and obeying Moses, effectively choosing human mediation over direct divine communication for their survival and understanding of the Law.

Exodus 20 19 Context

Exodus chapter 20 begins with God directly speaking the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai (Exod 20:1-17). This divine revelation is accompanied by a tremendous display of power: thunder, lightning, the sound of a trumpet, and smoke filling the mountain, causing the people to tremble greatly (Exod 19:16-19; 20:18). This intense, unmediated encounter with a holy God terrifies the newly formed nation.

Exodus 20:19 captures the Israelites' immediate, fearful response to this overwhelming divine manifestation. They had directly heard the voice of God. This verse immediately precedes Moses' words of reassurance and explanation about the purpose of God's manifestation (Exod 20:20), indicating the people's plea for mediation arose directly from their experience of terror and reverence. The scene solidifies Moses' unique and vital role as the chosen intercessor and prophet for the Old Covenant people of Israel.

Exodus 20 19 Word analysis

• And they said (וַיֹּאמְרוּ, vayyo'mru): This Hebrew conjunction and signifies a direct, immediate response. It highlights the unified and urgent reaction of the entire assembly of Israel.

• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, 'el Mosheh): The Israelites specifically direct their plea to Moses. He is already perceived as their leader and go-between with God.

• You speak (אַתָּה תְדַבֵּר, 'attah tedabber): The emphatic "You" (אַתָּה) underscores their desire for Moses, a human like themselves, to be the one conveying God's message. It marks a request for mediation.

• to us (עִמָּנוּ, 'immanu): Emphasizes their collective plea. They seek a voice that can be heard and comprehended without the overwhelming intensity of God's direct speech.

• and we will hear (וְנִשְׁמָעָה, wenishma'ah): This is not just a passive reception but a commitment to active listening and obedience. They promise to heed God's words when delivered through Moses.

• but let not God speak (וְאַל-יְדַבֵּר אֱלֹהִים, we'al-yedabber 'Elohim): "Let not" (אַל) is a strong negative command or prohibition. 'Elohim refers to God in His transcendent, powerful, and creative capacity. This phrase expresses their desperate wish to avoid further direct encounter with such raw divinity.

• with us (עִמָּנוּ, 'immanu): Again, to the entire collective. Their fear is for the whole community.

• lest we die (פֶּן-נָמוּת, pen-namut): This clause articulates the reason for their urgent plea. "Lest" (פֶּן) implies a deep-seated fear of a certain consequence. They genuinely believe direct communion with a holy God is lethal to sinful beings.

• "You speak to us, and we will hear": This phrase encapsulates their readiness to receive and obey divine instruction, but crucially, through a human agent. It highlights their pragmatic acceptance of the terrifying reality of God's presence and their perceived limitations. It implies a sense of humility and a recognition that they are not equal to standing before God directly.

• "but let not God speak with us, lest we die": This second part vividly illustrates the overwhelming terror experienced by the Israelites. It signifies a realization of the infinite gap between humanity and God's holiness, where direct exposure would lead to destruction. This intense fear reveals a primitive understanding of the holiness and destructive power of the divine when directly encountering sin-stained humanity. It forms the theological basis for the need of a mediator between God and humanity.

Exodus 20 19 Bonus section

• The Israelites' request in Exodus 20:19 finds explicit divine affirmation and the promise of a future Prophet like Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-18. God tells Moses, "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him." This illustrates that the people's plea for a mediator was divinely endorsed and points toward the ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ.
• The immediate experience of God's terrifying voice deeply ingrained a "fear of the Lord" in Israel, which the Bible later teaches is the "beginning of knowledge" or "wisdom" (Prov 1:7; Ps 111:10). This initial fear, though traumatic, was part of God's purpose to keep them from sin (Exod 20:20).
• The request for Moses to mediate set a precedent for prophecy and the role of prophets throughout Israelite history—individuals chosen by God to speak His words to the people, precisely because the people could not bear to hear God's direct voice without special enablement or mediation.
• This specific plea demonstrates that divine communication is tailored to humanity's capacity. While God is capable of overwhelming direct revelation, His grace often leads Him to communicate through channels that humans can better receive without perishing.

Exodus 20 19 Commentary

Exodus 20:19 marks a pivotal moment in the Old Covenant. Having directly experienced the terrifying manifestation of God's presence and voice at Sinai, the Israelites are overcome with dread. Their plea to Moses establishes him as the essential mediator for the Law, transforming how God would largely communicate with Israel under that covenant. This fear was not merely an irrational panic but a legitimate recognition of their mortality and sinfulness in the face of absolute holiness. God, dwelling in "unapproachable light," cannot be directly accessed by finite, fallen humans without dire consequences.

This verse foreshadows the indispensable need for a perfect mediator between God and humanity. While Moses served this role for the Law, his mediation was limited. The scene at Sinai highlights the curse and fear associated with a Law given without the means to fully reconcile man to God. Ultimately, it points to Jesus Christ as the New Covenant's perfect and ultimate Mediator. Through Christ, humanity can approach God not with terror of death, but with confidence, having been reconciled by His blood (Heb 12:22-24). The Law through Moses brought a knowledge of sin and the fear of death; grace and truth through Jesus bring life and direct communion (John 1:17). The people's cry for a mediator due to fear of death ultimately finds its profound fulfillment in the one who conquered death, offering life.