Exodus 20:21 kjv
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:21 nkjv
So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:21 niv
The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:21 esv
The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:21 nlt
As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
Exodus 20 21 Cross References
h2Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 19:16 | Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke... and the whole mountain trembled greatly. | People's fearful reaction to God's presence at Sinai. |
| Ex 20:18-19 | When all the people saw the thunder... they said to Moses, "You speak to us... but let not God speak to us..." | People's terror and their request for Moses as a mediator. |
| Deut 4:11 | And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire up to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. | Description of God's presence in darkness and fire at Sinai. |
| Deut 5:5 | I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD, for you were afraid because of the fire... | Moses' mediator role due to people's fear of divine presence. |
| Deut 5:23-27 | And as soon as you heard the voice... you said, "Behold, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and greatness..." | People acknowledging God's terrifying voice and asking for Moses to mediate. |
| 1 Kgs 8:12 | Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness." | God's dwelling in thick darkness, repeated during temple dedication. |
| Ps 18:9-11 | He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet... He rode on a cherub and flew... | God's majestic appearance often associated with cloud/darkness. |
| Ps 97:2 | Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. | God's hidden, mysterious, yet just nature emphasized. |
| Ps 104:1-2 | O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty... He wraps himself in light as with a garment... | Contrast to darkness, showing God also reveals Himself in light. |
| Job 22:13-14 | But you say, ‘What does God know? Can he judge through thick darkness?... Clouds veil him, so that he cannot see.’ | Implying human inability to comprehend God who dwells in mystery. |
| Nah 1:3 | The LORD is slow to anger and great in power... His way is in whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. | God's power and presence associated with overwhelming natural phenomena. |
| Isa 45:15 | Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. | The paradox of a God who reveals yet remains hidden. |
| Hab 3:4 | His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. | God's power, even in shining, is partially hidden. |
| Heb 8:6 | But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better... | Christ as the superior mediator of a new covenant. |
| Heb 9:15 | Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance... | Christ fulfilling the ultimate mediator role, gaining access through His blood. |
| Heb 12:18-21 | For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and consumed with fire... so dreadful was the sight that Moses said, "I am terrified..." | New Testament contrast: The terrifying Sinai experience vs. New Covenant grace. |
| Heb 12:24 | and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. | Jesus as the perfect mediator who brings access without terror. |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. | Declaring Jesus as the sole mediator. |
| Jn 1:18 | No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. | Jesus, as God incarnate, reveals the otherwise unapproachable God. |
| Jn 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." | Jesus providing access to God that Moses foreshadowed. |
| Ex 33:11 | Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. | Moses' unique, close relationship with God contrasted with the people's distance. |
| Num 12:8 | With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. | Confirming Moses' unparalleled intimacy with God among prophets. |
| Gal 3:19-20 | Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions... delivered through angels by a mediator. Now a mediator implies more than one... | Reinforces the necessity of a mediator (Moses) for the giving of the Law. |
| Rev 21:3 | Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. | The ultimate future where humanity can fully draw near to God. |
h2Context
Exodus 20:21 stands as a pivotal point after the dramatic delivery of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) in Exodus 20:1-17. The Israelites had just witnessed an awe-inspiring theophany at Mount Sinai: thunder, lightning, the sound of a trumpet, a smoking mountain, and the audible voice of God. This experience filled them with terror (Ex 20:18-19). They feared for their lives, asking Moses to speak with God on their behalf, lest they die from direct encounter with the Holy God. In this immediate aftermath, Moses reassures them, not to alleviate fear entirely but to clarify its purpose – that they may fear God so as not to sin (Ex 20:20). Verse 21 then physically illustrates this spiritual reality: the people remained distant due to their unholiness and the dread of God's presence, while Moses, specifically chosen and purified, was uniquely granted access into the very "thick darkness" where God dwelled, thereby serving as the necessary intermediary. This highlights the inherent barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity, foreshadowing the need for perfect mediation.
h2Word analysis
- And the people (
וְהָעָם-vəhā'ām): Refers collectively to all the Israelites gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai. Their unity in distance underscores their collective inability to approach God directly due to their sinfulness and God's holiness. - stood afar off, (
וַיַּעֲמֹד מֵרָחֹק-vayya‘ămōd mērāḥōq):Va-ya'amodmeans "and he stood" (singular, but refers to the collective "people" standing);merachoq(מֵרָחֹק) means "from afar," "at a distance." This phrase emphasizes the physical and spiritual separation between sinful humanity and a holy God. Their distance was not merely geographical but reflected their unfitness to be in God's immediate, consuming presence, especially after God’s fearful display of power. This highlights the foundational principle of a sacred barrier. - and Moses (
וּמֹשֶׁה-ūmōsheh): Singling out Moses (מֹשֶׁה) immediately sets him apart from the collective "people." He is the unique figure granted special access and status. His name, "drawn out," foreshadows his unique role as one drawn near to God. - drew near (
נִגַּשׁ-nigash):Nigash(נִגַּשׁ) from the rootnagash(נָגַשׁ) means "to approach," "to draw near." This verb signifies intentional, authorized proximity. Unlike the people who recoil, Moses steps forward. This action defines his unique mediatorial role – one who stands between God and humanity. - unto the thick darkness (
אֶל הָעֲרָפֶל-el hā‘ărāp̄el):Elmeans "to" or "towards."Ha'araphel(הָעֲרָפֶל) specifically means "the thick darkness," "the deep gloom" or "dense cloud." It's not a mere cloud but one symbolizing profound mystery, overwhelming presence, and often, dread. This term emphasizes the incomprehensibility and fearful aspect of God's unapproachable majesty. It contrasts with the concept of God dwelling in unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:16) by depicting another facet of divine transcendence: His hiddenness from direct human comprehension or perception, a veiled glory too intense for direct viewing. - where God was. (
שָׁם הָאֱלֹהִים-sham hā'Elohim):Sham(שָׁם) means "there."Ha'Elohim(הָאֱלֹהִים) means "the God," referring to the one true God, YHWH. This phrase affirms that the thick darkness was not empty, but the very dwelling place and manifestation of God Himself. It confirms the terrifying, majestic presence that warranted the people's distance and necessitated Moses' unique intermediary position. It reinforces God’s supreme being who dwells in an environment utterly removed from common human experience.
h2Commentary
Exodus 20:21 acts as a dramatic pause and summation following the divine pronouncements at Sinai. It vividly portrays the foundational tension in the human-divine relationship under the Old Covenant: a Holy God dwelling in inaccessible glory versus sinful humanity whose only approach is through an appointed mediator. The "thick darkness" is a recurring motif for God's overwhelming presence (Deut 4:11, 1 Kgs 8:12, Ps 97:2), signifying not absence of light, but a majesty so intense and transcendent that it obscures itself, protecting human perception while paradoxically revealing divine glory. It embodies divine power, purity, and inscrutability, affirming that God is beyond full human comprehension or direct, unmediated encounter by the unholy. Moses' audacious step into this very darkness underlines his exceptional election and foreshadows the need for an ultimate mediator who can truly bridge the gap. It is a powerful illustration of divine separation due to sin and the necessary path to draw near. This scene is fundamentally polemical against surrounding pagan religions where deities were often portrayed as easily manipulated or approached directly through physical idols and common rituals; Israel's God demanded unique awe and separation.
h2Bonus section
The concept of God dwelling in thick darkness (Hebrew araphel) paradoxically conveys both His hiddenness and His immense, overwhelming presence. While light often symbolizes God's revelation and glory (Ps 104:1-2; 1 Jn 1:5), darkness here symbolizes His unsearchable depths, His transcendence, and the profound mystery of His being, particularly in a context of awe and judgment. This specific imagery of darkness often accompanies the revelation of His covenant, indicating the weightiness and solemnity of the encounter. It signifies a holiness that is dangerous to approach directly without proper consecration or mediation, laying the groundwork for the elaborate sacrificial system and priestly mediation that would follow. The uniqueness of Moses in being able to "draw near" highlights that while all Israel heard God's voice, only the divinely chosen mediator could truly penetrate the immediate sphere of His manifestation.
Exodus 20 verses
Exodus 20 21 Meaning
Exodus 20:21 describes the scene immediately after God has delivered the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai. The verse sharply contrasts the position of the people of Israel with that of Moses. The people, overwhelmed by the fearsome manifestation of God's presence (thunder, lightning, smoke, and the voice of God), stood far off, maintaining a respectful and fearful distance. In stark contrast, Moses, divinely appointed as their mediator, alone drew near to the very core of the divine manifestation – the thick darkness where God Himself was present, signifying His inscrutable majesty and formidable holiness. This moment underscores Moses' unique privileged access to the Most High.
MeaningExodus 20:21 describes the aftermath of the people receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Overwhelmed by God's terrifying presence, the Israelite congregation retreated, maintaining a safe distance from the mountain. Simultaneously, Moses, the chosen mediator, boldly advanced into the dense cloud of darkness that enveloped the mountain, signifying the mysterious yet powerful presence of God Himself, where he would receive further divine instruction.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 19:9 | The Lord said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak..." | God's presence in thick cloud |
| Exo 19:16 | On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain... | Manifestation of divine presence |
| Exo 19:18 | Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire... | God's powerful descent |
| Exo 20:18-19 | When all the people saw the thunder and lightning... they trembled and stood far off. They said to Moses, "You speak to us... let not God speak to us..." | People's fear and request for mediator |
| Lev 10:1-3 | Nadab and Abihu... offered unauthorized fire before the Lord... and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them... | Holiness of God and danger of unholy approach |
| Num 12:8 | With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. | Moses' unique direct relationship with God |
| Deut 4:11-12 | And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned... and the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire... in the midst of darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. | God speaking from darkness and fire |
| Deut 5:5 | I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord... | Moses as intercessor/mediator |
| Deut 5:22 | These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness... | God speaking from dense obscurity |
| Deut 5:24-27 | "For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and has remained alive?" | People's fear of divine speech and death |
| 1 Kgs 8:10-12 | when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord... "The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness." | God's presence in cloud filling the temple |
| Psa 18:9-12 | He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet... He made darkness his covering... thick clouds of the skies. | God's powerful descent in darkness |
| Psa 97:2 | Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. | God's reign associated with darkness |
| Isa 45:15 | Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. | God's mysterious and hidden nature |
| Eph 2:18 | For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. | Access to God through Christ |
| Eph 3:12 | in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. | Bold access to God through Christ |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. | Christ as the ultimate mediator |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy... | New Testament invitation to draw near |
| Heb 7:25 | Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him... | Christ as High Priest providing access |
| Heb 10:19-22 | Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith... | Direct access through Christ's sacrifice |
| Heb 12:18-21 | For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and consumed with fire, and to darkness and gloom and a tempest... | Contrast Sinai's terror with Mount Zion's grace |
| Heb 12:29 | for our God is a consuming fire. | God's unapproachable holiness |
ContextExodus 20:21 immediately follows the awesome and terrifying delivery of the Ten Commandments by God Himself to the entire assembly of Israel at Mount Sinai (Exo 20:1-17). The display of thunder, lightning, smoke, fire, and a trumpet blast (Exo 19:16-19, 20:18) profoundly affected the people, causing them to tremble in fear of death should God continue to speak directly to them (Exo 20:19). In their terror, they appealed to Moses to be their intermediary, asking him to receive God's words and then relay them to them, saying, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die" (Exo 20:19). This verse captures Moses' obedient and courageous response to their request and God's prior instruction to him (Exo 19:9) by stepping forward into the very core of God's manifest presence, the "thick darkness," symbolizing God's unapproachable majesty and mysterious nature.
Word analysis
- The people (הָעָם, ha'am): Refers collectively to the Israelite nation, signifying their unified response of fear and distance after directly encountering God's awesome presence. Their status as a redeemed but fallen humanity is highlighted, demonstrating their natural inability to stand directly before a holy God.
- remained at a distance (וַיַּעֲמֹד מֵרָחֹק, wayya'amod meraḥoq): This phrase emphasizes the physical and theological separation between the congregation and God's direct manifestation. It conveys a posture of fear, awe, and perhaps prudent self-preservation, recognizing God's absolute holiness and the danger for the unholy to approach without mediation. It contrasts sharply with Moses' subsequent action.
- while Moses approached (וּמֹשֶׁה נִגַּשׁ, uMosheh nigash): This highlights Moses' unique and divinely ordained role as the sole mediator. The verb nigash (approached) signifies a purposeful, deliberate drawing near. His courage was not born of his own audacity but stemmed from a divine call and empowerment that set him apart from the rest of the people. This demonstrates a specific act of obedience and trust in God's leading.
- the thick darkness (הָעֲרָפֶל, ha'araphel): This term does not imply an absence of God or a void, but rather an intensified, glorious, and inscrutable presence. It's a key motif in theophanies (divine appearances), symbolizing God's veiled majesty, incomprehensibility, power, and holiness, making Him unapproachable by mere mortals. It signifies that God, while present, transcends human comprehension and visibility.
- where God was (אֲשֶׁר שָׁם הָאֱלֹהִים, asher sham ha'Elohim): This simple yet profound clause explicitly affirms that God's presence was indeed within the impenetrable darkness. It negates any thought that the darkness signified a void or a lesser manifestation, reinforcing God's sovereign presence in a form that conveys both awe and mystery. It is where revelation will continue to flow.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- The people remained at a distance: This group emphasizes the collective response of the assembly – their terror, humility, and the boundary established between the Holy God and unholy humanity. It illustrates the consequence of their plea in Exo 20:19 to avoid direct contact with God's voice, highlighting the immense chasm.
- while Moses approached the thick darkness: This juxtaposition clearly draws a stark contrast. The common people fearfully retreat, but the appointed mediator moves towards the very epicenter of divine mystery and power. Moses' approach symbolizes access provided by divine appointment and grace, allowing communication between the two vastly separated parties.
- the thick darkness where God was: This phrase specifies the nature and location of God's presence. The darkness is not a sign of absence, but a defining characteristic of God's sublime and awesome manifestation. It implies both hiddenness (inaccessibility to common view) and presence (His being precisely there), highlighting the mystery and transcendence of the Divine. It's within this awe-inspiring environment that further covenantal revelation will be given through Moses.
CommentaryExodus 20:21 presents a powerful tableau of separation and mediation. After the earth-shattering pronouncements of the Decalogue, the Israelite people, overwhelmed by the tangible manifestations of God's presence, rightly sensed their unworthiness and vulnerability, receding to a safe distance. Their fear was not an improper lack of faith, but a healthy and necessary awe in the face of absolute holiness. This distance highlighted the infinite gap between a Holy God and fallen humanity. Into this chasm steps Moses, not presumptuously, but by divine command and enablement. His approach into the "thick darkness" is pivotal. This darkness is not absence of light or knowledge, but the very essence of God's inscrutable majesty, His unsearchable perfections, and His incomprehensible glory. It is a symbol of His hiddenness, His transcendence, and the consuming fire of His holiness. Moses' willingness and ability to enter this divine veiled presence underscores his unique mediatorial role for the old covenant. This moment visually articulates the necessity of an intercessor to bridge the gap between God and man, prefiguring the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who through His atoning work allows believers to draw near to God with boldness (Heb 10:19-22).
Bonus sectionThe term Ha'Araphel (the thick darkness) carries profound theological weight. In biblical thought, darkness is often associated with theophany and the unapproachable majesty of God, rather than merely being the absence of light. It emphasizes the mystery and the incomprehensibility of the divine essence. It also serves as a polemic against common ancient Near Eastern deities whose presence was often depicted as physically visible or housed within accessible idols. The God of Israel dwells in unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:16) that manifests as 'thick darkness' to human eyes, asserting His supreme transcendence and His freedom from human manipulation or full comprehension. The scene sets the stage for Moses to receive the more detailed statutes and ordinances, demonstrating that God speaks not from a void, but from His awesome, veiled presence.