Israel at Mount Sinai

1In the third month, on the same day of the montha that the Israelites (God prevails) had left the land of Egypt (land of bondage), they came to the Wilderness of Sinai (thorny). 2After they had set out from Rephidim (resting places), they entered the Wilderness of Sinai (thorny), and Israel (he wrestles with God) camped there in front of the mountain.

3Then Moses (drawn out) went up to God {Elohim}, and the LORD {YHWH} called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob (he grasps the heel) and explain to the sons of Israel (he wrestles with God): 4‘You⁺ have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt (land of bondage), and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you⁺ to Myself. 5Now if you⁺ will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you⁺ will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. 6And unto Me you⁺ shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites (God prevails).”

7So Moses (drawn out) went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD {YHWH} had commanded him. 8And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD {YHWH} has spoken.”

So Moses (drawn out) brought their words back to the LORD.

9The LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.”

And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.

10Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 11and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD {YHWH} will come down on Mount Sinai (thorny) in the sight of all the people.

12And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live <Heb 12:20>.’b

Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach (go up on) the mountain.c”

14When Moses (drawn out) came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15“Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”

The LORD Visits Sinai

16On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17Then Moses (drawn out) brought the people out of the camp to meet with God {Elohim}, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18Mount Sinai (thorny) was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD {YHWH} had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. 19And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses (drawn out) spoke and God {Elohim} answered him in the thunder.

20The LORD {YHWH} descended to the top of Mount Sinai (thorny) and called Moses (drawn out) to the summit. So Moses went up, 21and the LORD {YHWH} said to him (drawn out), “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish. 22Even the priests who approach the LORD {YHWH} must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”

23But Moses (drawn out) said to the LORD {YHWH}, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai (thorny), for You solemnly warned us, ‘Put a boundary around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”

24And the LORD {YHWH} replied, “Go down and bring Aaron (light bringer) with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break out against them.”

25So Moses (drawn out) went down to the people and spoke to them.