CPCC Bible Study - Exodus 19.

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Posted on CCPC's website 2026

"In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai."
- Exodus 19: 1, American Standard Version, see link below.

1 Summary:
      It has been three months since they left Egypt, on that day they came to the "midbar" (Wilderness / Desert) of "sinay" (Sinai / Arabia (see link below)).
Discussion:
      Several times the text has specified that 'the Sons of Israel' left Egypt. The first is in the last handful of verses of chapter 12. It says in verse four of thirteen that 'they are leaving', then later it specifies that they took a longer route, so picking the shortest route to the narrowest part of the sea may not be the best idea when looking for the path of their escape. It is stated several times in chapters 13 and 16. And is clearly stated here in verse one, again.
      Could it be possible that Moses meant what he said and that he knew that Midian, where he had worked for his father in law and saw the bush that changed his life, was?
      It stands to reason that when they emerged onto the shore after the sea crossing, they were no longer in Egypt. As we have stated several times, and is verifiable on any reliable ancient map: The bulk of the Sinai Peninsula was Egyptian territory. Complete with guard outposts, agricultural villages, copper mines, and rock quarries. If you were leading a renegade group of escaped slaves, and had just killed the king, being anywhere near an Egyptian outpost might not be the wisest move you could make. If, instead of still wandering around in Egypt's back yard they were in the Arabian Desert, that wouldn't be a problem.
      Once again, those that cling to the traditional site and say that Israel couldn't have been in Arabia may be doing so with one eye on the current religious/political situation instead of historical reality.

2 Summary:
      They had departed from "rephidim" (a place in the desert / 'balluster' (carved ornamental stones))

3 - 4 Summary:
      Moses goes up the and called on him YHWH, saying, so you shall say to the house of "Yaaqob" (Jacob (it uses the 'old name')) and tell the Sons of Israel: you have seen what I "asah" (accomplished / performed) to Egypt. And how I "nasa" (lifted / bear) you on "kanaph" (wings) of "nesher" (eagles) and brought you to Myself.
      There were probably those in the crowd who wondered where the eagles were, as they had been walking for months. But, it is the imagery that is important, and it comes up again much later in the Book.
      For a somewhat better known reference to the wings of eagles, see Isaiah 40 : 30 and 31... or, we could do this. From the NIV (link below)"

6 Summary and Discussion:
      And you "hayah" (be / become) to me a "mamlakah" (kingdom / dominion) of "kohen" (priests), and a "goy" (nation / people) "gadosh" (holy / sacred / set apart). These are the words you shall speak....
      We've met several priests, besides the priest of a form of the sun god who happened to be in the court of Pharaoh when Joseph interpreted the king's dreams, Genesis 41, so he got to marry the priest's daughter. There is also the priest of Midian and Moses happened to end up marrying his daughter as well, Exodus 2, and he was later to be revealed as a priest of God. And, of course, there was ...
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High." Genesis 14 : 18.
      But as yet, there isn't a dedicated group of priests. And there still isn't. Aaron has not been given that job yet, and the Levites are just another group of the Sons of Israel.

7 Summary:
      Moses comes down and calls for the elders, and repeated what YHWH had "tsavah" (commanded) him.

8
      and "anah" (answered / responded) all the "am" (people) "yachad" (unity / together), and "amar" (said / saying), "kol" (all) that "dabar" (command / declared / said / etc) YHWH, "asah" (do / perform / act / etc). And so "shub" (returned) Moses the "dabar" (words) of the people to YHWH.
      Let's look at that for a moment. When Moses came down the hill he called for the elders of the people. Some time later they apparently had a public assembly where 'everybody' agreed to what had been said. However, none of that is specified in the text, the only thing it does seem to say is that God couldn't hear the people from where He was on top of the mountain.

NOTE: Now things change.
      Before this, the people have seen the plagues, the pillar of fire, they walked through the sea, they've seen water come from the rocks, and they've had free food delivered daily for some time, but, the only word they've had for who was doing this, or rather WHO was doing it, was what Moses, and Aaron from time to time, said to them.
      The next set of verses set the stage for one of the most dramatic passages in Exodus.
9
      "way yomer" (and said) YHWH to Moses, "hinneh" (lo / behold) I "bo / ba" (come / go) to you "ab" (thick / darkness / dense) "anan" (cloud (this is a different description of a cloud than the 'pillar' before)), "abur" (for the sake of / because of / in order that...) "shama" (hear) "am" (people) when I "dabar" (speak / declare / converse) with you and "aman" (believe / trust / confirm) you "olam" (eternity / everlasting / perpetual). So told Moses the words of the people to YHWH.
      Pick a verse. Matthew 17, Mark 9, or Luke 9 beginning at 28. Where does the Voice come from? Beside being a tour guide across the countryside, a road block for the Egyptians, or filling the temple in Isaiah 6 and Revelation 15, GOD uses a cloud out in the countryside as a sign of HIS presence. And the text also specifies that this was no ordinary cloud.
      And even though the exact phrase and image are NOT found in scripture, the overall idea is seen in the Song of Deborah, Judges 5, and several Psalms, and elsewhere, it still makes a pretty good hymn, this is verse 2:

"qadash" Note of Explanation:
      Even though the Hebrew root word is the same, the one doing the action is important, and the basis for the translation. Even though, at times, both parties are involved, and sometimes both English words apply equally (yeah, it's confusing. You get used to it.). Humans can only 'consecrate' something, including themselves. Setting themselves apart for service to God. It is GOD that 'sanctifies' whatever it is, including humans who have been 'set apart' and accepts them into His Service.
      Moses, or any human for that matter, can consecrate anything they want to 'set apart', themselves, their kids, a building, a car, a ham sandwich (all kosher jokes at no extra charge)... Now, whether or not GOD accepts it, and recognizes it, and blesses it- Sanctifying it, is entirely up to HIM. And 'we the people' have absolutely no say in what The Creator accepts and what He doesn't. Which upsets some denominational type to no end. Oh well.
end note

      There's a lot here to look at, and we'll do our best to at least hit the high points at the mountain (all puns at no extra charge). And, of course, for most of these, there are multiple references all throughout the entire Bible, but we'll only list a couple for each to keep this study manageable.
      The first thing we'll look at is that the People of Israel are 'sanctified' (an action by God), and separate from the rest of the world, and be dedicated to GOD. That point is made, and then made again, and so on, all through this section and into the next.
      The washing of one's clothes is an obvious symbol of purification, and is echoed in the ritual baths observed by the priests later, as prescribed beginning in Exodus 30, and is echoed in the practice of Baptism by the Church, see 1 Peter 3 : 21 for an example. Also involved is the Robes that have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, as seen in Revelation 7.
      The idea of "being ready" is seen in verses like Proverbs 4 : 23 and is echoed in the Watcher over Israel found in Ezekiel 3 : 17, and perhaps the best example is the Ten Virgins parable of Christ in Matthew 25.
      And we'll just mention the Third Day - when HE arose instead of the one in this text where HE Descended (in the morning no less... coming up in verse 16). See the prophecy in Hosea 6 : 2 and Christ's statement in Luke 18 : 33. And, of course, in the texts about His Resurrection as well, which may come into play with the next point.
      The prohibition about touching the mountain when GOD was there, and the similar penalty for doing so, is outlined in Numbers 4 in regards to the Ark of the Covenant, and happened in 2 Samuel 6. And could be considered in light of what was going on That Morning in the garden when Jesus told Mary Magdalene not to touch him in John 20.

      Now we'll look at this entire section in another light.
      There's at least a million and a half people in camp, probably more. Most are related, in some sort of way ....out to maybe sixth cousin nine times removed or something, to Moses, but related none the less. Some are Egyptians, those from Pharaoh's estate that believed Moses during the plagues and thought it best to leave town when he did. Others are probably other former slaves from everything from conquered armies to those 'sold' to them the way Joseph was, and when the Hebrews left, so did they.
      There's no word here on how Moses made sure everybody had done their laundry and 'stayed away from each other' for the duration. He had to simply take their word for it. Which either says something about his relationship with the people, or, perhaps, he tended to believe his own propaganda. We already know what the people actually do from the episodes with the manna being kept over night in verse 20, and searched for on Saturday in verse 27 of chapter 16. But we'll take what is said at face value and move on. Right?

16 Summary:
      In the morning of the third day there were "qol" (noise / thunder) and "baraq" (lightning), and a "anan" (cloud) "kabed" (heavy / thick / great / etc) on the mountain, and sound of "shophar" (trumpet / ram's horn (different word than was used before, this is the actual 'Jewish Horn' of song and story, or at least, old movie)) was "chazaq" (strong / powerful) "meod" (very / exceedingly). "way" (and / so) "charad" ('tremble with fear / dread') all the people in the camp.
      When GOD made His Entrance, it wasn't a secret.

17 Summary:
      Moses takes the people out of camp to the foot of the mountain to 'meet God'.
      Evidently the Apostles forgot their own history when they asked Christ to "show us the Father" John 14 : 8.

18 Summary:
      "We har sinay" (and mountain Sinai) "ashan" (smoke / burn) "kol" (all / whole / entire) "panim / paneh" (face / presence), "asher" (which / who) "yarad" (descend) upon YHWH in "esh" (fire) - and "alah" (go up / ascend / bring up) "ashan" (smoke (different form of same word)) like the smoke of a "kibshan" (furnace), and "charad" (tremble / quake) "kol" (whole) mountain "meod" (much / greatly).
      We've already mentioned Jabal Maqla, the Burnt Mountain in the Tabuk Province in the north western area of Saudi Arabia, in what is called the Madiyan Mountains. The summit of the mountain, and part of the surrounding plateau is black igneous rock. Whereas the majority of the area is brown sandstone and related types of sedimentary rock. The peak is one of the tallest in Saudi Arabia and reaches 7,600 feet (2,300 meters), being only slightly shorter than Jabal al-Lawz just to the north.
      While it is possible that the Mountain of God was on the Sinai Peninsula, it is also just as likely that it wasn't, and we need to keep an open mind about it, and admit that we may never know exactly where it was. Which is just as well, that way, nobody will go there and claim that GOD spoke to them on the mountain. Well, no more than they already do.

19
      And "hayah" (happened / came to pass) "qol" (voice / sound / noise) "shophar" (trumpet...) "halak" (proceeded), and was "chazeq" (strong / powerful) "meod" (very / exeedingly / greatly), Moses "dabar" (spoke / conversed), and 'Elohim (God) "anah" (answered / responded) by "qol" (voice).
      Moses spoke, and God answered.
"But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." - Deuteronomy 34 : 10 (NKJV)

20 A review of what is going on.
      That's what this verse is. Who is on which mountain, and what they are doing.

21 Summary:
      YHWH tells Moses to go down and tell the people to not "haras" (break down / destroy) at YHWH "raah" (see), and "naphal" (fall / be cast down (die)) many.
      Moses is supposed to tell the people to not try to see God because if they do, they will die. Moses is told this in Exodus 33 : 20, and it is confirmed in John 1 : 18.

The next verse has to be for the future because, as of the encounter on the mountain being outlined in this chapter, there are no priests. They are mentioned several times before the end of the chapter, and in context with Aaron, but their jobs, as yet, has not been defined in the text. Which may mean that somebody had been making some sort of attempt to fulfill that role during their time in Egypt.
22 Summary:
      and "kohen" (priests) "nagash" (approach / come near) "el" (unto / into) YHWH "qadash" (consecrate / set apart (this is the third time)) themselves, "pen" (otherwise) "parats" (burst forth / destroy (implies potential violence)) them YHWH.
      The statement is presented as a fact. If they do not set themselves apart from the rest of the world, they could well find themselves in the hands of an angry God.

23 Summary:
      Moses says to YHWH that the people cannot come up because He had warned them, and Moses put up some sort of barrier around the mountain and "qadash" (consecrated / set apart) it.
      Yeah, you read that right. Moses back talking to God.
            .... it doesn't go well.

24 Summary:
      "way yomer" (and said) to him YHWH, "halak" (go / move (as an imperative)), "yarad" (go down / descend), then come back up with Aaron, but not the priests, and the people are not to knock down the barrier or He will destroy them.

25 Summary:
      So Moses went down and told them.
      Just as earlier at the burning bush, Moses will, eventually, do what God tells him to do. ... as do we.

End Chapter 19

Selected Resources:
All links will open in a new tab/window, all were working as of original date of posting:

Interlinear English / Hebrew: Chapter 19 https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/19.htm

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611_Exodus-Chapter-19/

American Standard Versionhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2019&version=ASV

The passage from Isaiah https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2040&version=NIV

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance: "Sinay: Sinai - Of uncertain derivation; mountain of Arabia -- Sinai." https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5514.htm