Exodus 34 2

Exodus 34:2 kjv

And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.

Exodus 34:2 nkjv

So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain.

Exodus 34:2 niv

Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain.

Exodus 34:2 esv

Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain.

Exodus 34:2 nlt

Be ready in the morning to climb up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain.

Exodus 34 verses

Exodus 34 2 Meaning

Exodus 34:2 conveys a divine command given to Moses to prepare himself and ascend Mount Sinai at dawn. It signifies a unique, sacred appointment with God for the purpose of covenant renewal after the previous tablets were broken due to Israel's idolatry. The emphasis is on immediate readiness, the specific holy location, and Moses' exclusive access to the very top of the mountain to stand before the Lord. This direct summons underscores God's initiative in restoring His relationship with His chosen mediator.

Exodus 34 2 Context

Exodus 34:2 takes place immediately after God's gracious response to Moses' fervent intercession for Israel following the golden calf idolatry (Exo 32-33). Moses had shattered the first tablets, symbolizing the broken covenant. In chapter 33, Moses pleads for God's continued presence with Israel and requests to see God's glory. God responds by revealing His character (Exo 34:6-7) and offering to renew the covenant. Verse 2 is the initial directive for this renewal: Moses is commanded to prepare new stone tablets and return to Mount Sinai. It sets the scene for God to reaffirm His covenant laws and re-establish His relationship with Israel through Moses as mediator, emphasizing grace yet demanding holiness and exclusivity in worship.

Exodus 34 2 Word analysis

• Be ready (הֱיֵה נָכ֣וֹן, hēyeh nākôn):
  • hēyeh: "be, become." An imperative verb, emphasizing immediate and definite action.
  • nākôn: "established, prepared, ready." It signifies being firmly fixed, ready for action, prepared in mind and spirit. It's not just a physical readiness but also spiritual and mental. This contrasts sharply with Israel's previous unpreparedness that led to the golden calf. It implies a readiness for holy communion and obedience.
• by morning (לַבֹּ֙קֶר֙, labBōqer):
  • "To/for the morning." This precise timing signifies divine urgency and highlights God's sovereignty over time and events. It's an immediate call, requiring prompt obedience without delay, reinforcing the seriousness of the appointment.
• and come up (וַעֲלִ֥יתָ, waʿalîtā):
  • "And you shall ascend." A strong command, indicating a physical movement upwards. This ascent is symbolic of drawing near to God's presence, typically located on high places in ancient Near Eastern theology. It parallels previous ascents for covenant and revelation.
• in the morning (בַּבֹּ֛קֶר, babBōqer):
  • "In the morning." The repetition emphasizes the strict timing, reinforcing the call for promptness. It highlights that the initiative is entirely God's, setting the specific moment for the re-establishment of the broken communion.
• to Mount Sinai (אֶל־הַר֙ סִינַ֔י, ʾel-har Sînay):
  • "To the mountain of Sinai." Sinai is the specific, designated place of divine revelation and covenant, previously shrouded in cloud and fire. Its selection re-affirms its sacred status as the "mountain of God." This physical location serves as the locus for renewed communion between God and Moses, and indirectly, Israel.
• and present yourself (וְנִצַּבְתָּ֥, wənitsabtā):
  • "And you shall stand." Niṣṣab implies standing erect, firmly, often in a position of service, reverence, or witness before a superior. It's more than just arriving; it's assuming a posture of submission and readiness for engagement, akin to a servant before a king or one ready to receive instruction. This solemn act highlights Moses' unique role as God's representative.
• there (שָׁ֗ם, šām):
  • "There." An adverb emphasizing the specific, already established sacred location. It reinforces the importance of the appointed place.
• to me (לִ֔י, lî):
  • "To me." A direct personal pronoun, emphasizing that the encounter is exclusively and directly with God. It signifies the privilege and profound nature of this direct audience with the Almighty, distinct from common human interaction.
• on the top of the mountain (עַל־רֹאשׁ֙ הָהָ֔ר, ʿal-rōʾš ha-hār):
  • "On the head of the mountain." The highest point, signifying maximum proximity to God and emphasizing Moses' unique access, beyond the bounds set for the general populace in Exo 19. It reinforces the holiness and exclusivity of this direct divine audience, as God's glory and presence were traditionally associated with mountain peaks.

Exodus 34 2 Bonus section

• The immediacy of "by morning" after a period of intense divine judgment and intercession highlights God's swiftness to act in restoration once repentance and intercession have occurred.
• Moses' preparation involved carving two new stone tablets, indicating human responsibility in partnering with the divine initiative. This details is mentioned in Exo 34:1, providing crucial context for Moses' readiness.
• The ascent to the "top of the mountain" reinforces God's transcendence; He calls His mediator to come up to His exalted sphere of dwelling, rather than descending to human commonality, thereby preserving His awe-inspiring holiness.
• This scene parallels the initial giving of the law in Exodus 19-20, yet carries the added weight of restoration after rebellion, underscoring God's unfailing love and covenant faithfulness. It sets a pattern for God's redemptive work throughout Scripture: judgment often followed by a path to restoration.

Exodus 34 2 Commentary

Exodus 34:2 is a profound invitation from a merciful God, demonstrating His initiative in covenant renewal despite Israel's grievous sin. Following the shattering of the first tablets due to the golden calf idolatry, God could have abandoned His people. Instead, His command to Moses to "be ready by morning" signals His enduring commitment and desire to restore relationship. The call for "readiness" implies not just physical preparation but a spiritual posture of attentiveness and submission. Moses is to ascend to "Mount Sinai," the sacred peak, which reiterates its status as the divine meeting place. The command to "present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain" signifies a uniquely privileged, solemn audience. Moses' direct access to the "top" highlights his unparalleled mediatorial role, as ordinary people were strictly forbidden to even touch the base of the mountain (Exo 19:12). This renewed encounter at dawn sets the stage for the unveiling of God's character (Exo 34:6-7) and the rewriting of the covenant terms, emphasizing grace but also holiness and exclusive worship. It reminds believers that God often initiates reconciliation, calling His people to specific, holy engagement with Him, often demanding a readiness and a unique form of encounter according to His terms.