Exodus 19:18
New International Version
Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.

New Living Translation
All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.

English Standard Version
Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.

Berean Standard Bible
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

King James Bible
And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

New King James Version
Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

New American Standard Bible
Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain quaked violently.

NASB 1995
Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

NASB 1977
Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because Yahweh descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.

Amplified Bible
Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

Christian Standard Bible
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the LORD came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the LORD came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

American Standard Version
And mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because Jehovah descended upon it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Contemporary English Version
Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had come down in a flaming fire. Smoke poured out of the mountain just like a furnace, and the whole mountain shook.

English Revised Version
And mount Sinai was altogether on smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had come down on it in fire. Smoke rose from the mountain like the smoke from a kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.

Good News Translation
All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD had come down on it in fire. The smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and all the people trembled violently.

International Standard Version
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the LORD had come down in fire on it. Smoke went up from it like smoke from a kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.

Majority Standard Bible
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

NET Bible
Now Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire, and its smoke went up like the smoke of a great furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

New Heart English Bible
And Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because God descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

Webster's Bible Translation
And mount Sinai was altogether in a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke of it ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount trembled greatly.

World English Bible
All of Mount Sinai smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Mount Sinai [is] wholly [in] smoke from the presence of YHWH, who has come down on it in fire, and its smoke goes up as smoke of the furnace, and the whole mountain trembles exceedingly;

Young's Literal Translation
and mount Sinai is wholly a smoke from the presence of Jehovah, who hath come down on it in fire, and its smoke goeth up as smoke of the furnace, and the whole mount trembleth exceedingly;

Smith's Literal Translation
And mount Sinai smoked all of it, because that Jehovah came down upon it in fire: and its smoke will go up as the smoke of the furnace, and all the mountain will tremble exceedingly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all mount Sinai was on a smoke: because the Lord was come down upon it in fire, and the smoke arose from it as out of a furnace: and all the mount was terrible.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then all of Mount Sinai was smoking. For the Lord had descended over it with fire, and smoke ascended from it, as from a furnace. And the entire mountain was terrible.

New American Bible
Now Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had come down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled violently.

New Revised Standard Version
Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the LORD had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the whole mountain of Sinai was smoking because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the mountain of Sinai was entirely smoking because LORD JEHOVAH descended upon it in fire and its smoke came up as the smoke of a furnace and the whole mountain shook greatly.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now mount Sinai was altogether on smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The mount of Sina was altogether on a smoke, because God had descended upon it in fire; and the smoke went up as the smoke of a furnace, and the people were exceedingly amazed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Visits Sinai
17Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD 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 spoke and God answered him in the thunder.…

Cross References
Hebrews 12:18-21
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...

Deuteronomy 4:11-12
You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. / And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice.

Acts 7:30-33
After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. / When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight. As he approached to look more closely, the voice of the Lord came to him: / ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. ...

Psalm 68:8
the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

Revelation 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.

1 Kings 19:11-12
Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.

Matthew 17:5-6
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” / When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.

Judges 5:4-5
O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water. / The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel.

2 Peter 1:17-18
For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” / And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

Psalm 97:4-5
His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. / The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Isaiah 64:1-3
If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence, / as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence! / When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence.

Mark 9:7
Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!”

Nahum 1:5-6
The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all its dwellers. / Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.

2 Corinthians 3:7-9
Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!


Treasury of Scripture

And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Mount Sinai

Exodus 20:18
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

Deuteronomy 4:11,12
And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness…

Deuteronomy 5:22
These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

in fire

Exodus 3:2
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

Exodus 24:17
And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house…

as the smoke

Genesis 15:17
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

Genesis 19:28
And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Psalm 144:5
Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

whole

1 Kings 19:11,12
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: …

Psalm 68:8
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Psalm 77:18
The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

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Altogether Ascended Burning Covered Descended Fire Furnace Great Greatly Kiln Mount Mountain Presence Quaked Shaking Shook Sinai Smoke Thereof Trembled Violently Whole Wholly Wrapped
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Altogether Ascended Burning Covered Descended Fire Furnace Great Greatly Kiln Mount Mountain Presence Quaked Shaking Shook Sinai Smoke Thereof Trembled Violently Whole Wholly Wrapped
Exodus 19
1. The people arrive at Sinai
3. God's message by Moses unto the people out of the mount
8. The people are prepared against the third day, for the giving of the law
12. The mountain must not be touched
16. The fearful presence of God upon the mount














Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai, also known as Horeb, is a significant location in biblical history, traditionally identified with a mountain in the Sinai Peninsula. It is the place where God revealed Himself to Moses and gave the Ten Commandments. The mountain's name in Hebrew, "סִינַי" (Sinai), is often associated with the wilderness and the divine encounters that took place there. Archaeologically, while the exact location is debated, the mountain symbolizes a meeting point between God and His people, a place of divine revelation and covenant.

was completely enveloped in smoke
The phrase "completely enveloped in smoke" signifies the overwhelming presence of God. In Hebrew, the word for smoke, "עָשָׁן" (ashan), is often associated with divine presence and judgment. The smoke represents God's holiness and the mystery surrounding His presence. It serves as a visual barrier, emphasizing the separation between the divine and the human, and the need for reverence and awe in approaching God.

because the LORD had descended on it in fire
The descent of the LORD in fire is a powerful image of God's presence and power. The Hebrew word for LORD, "יְהוָה" (YHWH), is the sacred name of God, emphasizing His eternal and self-existent nature. Fire, "אֵשׁ" (esh), in biblical terms, often symbolizes God's holiness, purity, and judgment. The fire on Mount Sinai is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God, demonstrating His glory and the seriousness of the covenant He is about to establish with Israel.

And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace
The comparison to a furnace, "כִּתְנ֣וּר" (kitnur), suggests intense heat and purification. In ancient times, a furnace was used for refining metals, symbolizing the process of purification and transformation. This imagery indicates that God's presence is not only powerful but also purifying, preparing the people for the covenant relationship. It underscores the transformative power of encountering God.

and the whole mountain quaked violently
The violent quaking of the mountain, "וַיֶּחֱרַד" (vayecherad), reflects the earth-shaking impact of God's presence. In Hebrew, this word conveys trembling or shaking, often associated with fear or awe. The quaking signifies the cosmic significance of the event, as creation itself responds to the Creator's presence. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the awe-inspiring nature of His revelation, calling the people to a posture of reverence and obedience.

(18) Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke.--Heb., smoked, all of it. Some understand by this, "dense clouds, having the appearance of smoke." But if "the mountain burned with fire," as asserted (Deuteronomy 4:11), the smoke would be real.

The whole mount quaked greatly.--Comp. Psalm 68:8, "The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God." The expression is more suitable to an earthquake than to the vibration sometimes produced by very violent thunder.

Verse 18. - Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke. Literally, smoked, all of it. Kalisch suggests that "the dense clouds from which the thunders broke forth had the appearance of smoke." But the reason assigned - "because the Lord descended on it in fire," seems to imply real smoke; and. the same re-suits from the comparison of it to "the smoke of a furnace." The whole mount quaked greatly. Scarcely "through the vehemence of the thunder" (Kalisch), for thunder does not shake the earth, though it shakes the air - but rather by an actual earthquake. Compare Psalm 18:7; Matthew 27:51-54; Acts 4:31; Acts 16:26.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Mount
וְהַ֤ר (wə·har)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

Sinai
סִינַי֙ (sî·nay)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5514: Sinai -- the mountain where the law was given

was completely
כֻּלּ֔וֹ (kul·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

enveloped in smoke,
עָשַׁ֣ן (‘ā·šan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6225: To smoke, be angry

because
מִ֠פְּנֵי (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had descended
יָרַ֥ד (yā·raḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

on it
עָלָ֛יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

in fire.
בָּאֵ֑שׁ (bā·’êš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

And smoke
עֲשָׁנוֹ֙ (‘ă·šā·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6227: Smoke

rose
וַיַּ֤עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

like the smoke
כְּעֶ֣שֶׁן (kə·‘e·šen)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6227: Smoke

of a furnace,
הַכִּבְשָׁ֔ן (hak·kiḇ·šān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3536: A smelting furnace

and the whole
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

mountain
הָהָ֖ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

quaked
וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד (way·ye·ḥĕ·raḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2729: To shudder with terror, to fear, to hasten

violently.
מְאֹֽד׃ (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily


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OT Law: Exodus 19:18 Mount Sinai all it smoked because Yahweh (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 19:17
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