Exodus 19:20
New International Version
The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up

New Living Translation
The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.

English Standard Version
The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up,

King James Bible
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

New King James Version
Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

New American Standard Bible
Then the LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

NASB 1995
The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

NASB 1977
And the LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Amplified Bible
The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the LORD summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the LORD summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah came down upon mount Sinai, to the top of the mount: and Jehovah called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai and told Moses to meet him there.

English Revised Version
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, to the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD came down on top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.

Good News Translation
The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. Moses went up

International Standard Version
When the LORD came down on Mount Sinai to the top of the mountain, he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up,

NET Bible
The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain, and the LORD summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

World English Bible
Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH comes down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and YHWH calls for Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses goes up.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah cometh down on mount Sinai, unto the top of the mount, and Jehovah calleth for Moses unto the top of the mount, and Moses goeth up.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will come down upon mount Sinai to the head of the mount: and Jehovah will call for Moses to the head of the mount and Moses will go up.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, in the very top of the mount, and he called Moses unto the top thereof. And when he was gone up thither,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord descended over Mount Sinai, to the very top of the mountain, and he called Moses to its summit. And when he had ascended there,

New American Bible
When the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the LORD summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

New Revised Standard Version
When the LORD descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the LORD summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, to the very top of the mountain: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mountain; and Moses went up.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH came down to the mountain of Sinai to the top of the mountain, and LORD JEHOVAH called Moshe to the top of the mountain and Moshe came up.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, to the top of the mount; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord came down upon mount Sina on the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Visits Sinai
19And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. 20The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up, 21and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish.…

Cross References
Exodus 24:12-18
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.” / So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God. / And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. Aaron and Hur are here with you. Whoever has a dispute can go to them.” ...

Deuteronomy 5:4-5
The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. / At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

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.” ...

Exodus 33:9-11
As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses. / When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent. / Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

1 Kings 19:11-13
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. / When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Acts 7:38
He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.

Exodus 3:1-6
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. / There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” ...

Matthew 17:1-5
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ...

Exodus 34:5-7
And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD. / Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

2 Peter 1:16-18
For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. / 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.

Numbers 12:5-8
and the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the Tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had stepped forward, / He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. / But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. ...

Revelation 4:1-2
After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.” / At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.

Exodus 20:21
And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

Ezekiel 1:1-3
In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God. / On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— / the word of the LORD came directly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Kebar. And there the LORD’s hand was upon him.

Mark 9:2-8
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. / His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. / And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD came down on mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

the Lord came

Exodus 19:11
And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

Nehemiah 9:13
Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:

Psalm 81:7
Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

Moses went up

Exodus 19:3
And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

Exodus 24:12,13,18
And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them…

Exodus 34:2,4
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…

Jump to Previous
Descended Moses Mount Mountain Sinai Top
Jump to Next
Descended Moses Mount Mountain Sinai Top
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














The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai
This phrase highlights the theophany, where God makes His presence known in a tangible way. Mount Sinai, also known as Horeb, is a significant location in the biblical narrative, traditionally identified with Jebel Musa in the Sinai Peninsula. The descent of the LORD signifies His willingness to engage directly with His people, a theme seen throughout Scripture, such as in the incarnation of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). The mountain itself becomes a sacred space, a common motif where divine encounters occur, as seen with Elijah on the same mountain (1 Kings 19:8-18).

and called Moses to the summit.
Moses is summoned to the summit, indicating his role as mediator between God and Israel. This calling is reminiscent of Moses' earlier encounter with God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-4), emphasizing his unique position as a prophet and leader. The summit represents a place of revelation and covenant, where Moses receives the Law, which is foundational for Israel's identity and relationship with God. This mediatory role foreshadows Christ, who is the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

So Moses went up
Moses' ascent is an act of obedience and faith, demonstrating his willingness to approach God despite the fearsome manifestations of divine presence (Exodus 19:16-19). This ascent can be seen as a type of Christ's ascension, where He goes to the Father on behalf of humanity (Acts 1:9-11). Moses' journey up the mountain is also symbolic of spiritual ascent, a theme in Christian spirituality where believers seek closeness with God through prayer and holiness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who reveals Himself to His people and establishes His law.

2. Moses
The chosen leader and prophet of Israel, who acts as a mediator between God and the Israelites.

3. Mount Sinai
A significant location where God reveals Himself and gives the Ten Commandments to Moses.

4. The Descent of the LORD
A theophany where God manifests His presence on Mount Sinai, signifying His holiness and authority.

5. The Ascent of Moses
Moses' response to God's call, demonstrating obedience and willingness to serve as an intermediary.
Teaching Points
The Holiness of God
God's descent to Mount Sinai underscores His holiness and the reverence due to Him. Believers are called to approach God with awe and respect.

The Role of Mediation
Moses' ascent illustrates the need for a mediator between God and humanity. This foreshadows Christ's ultimate role as the mediator of the new covenant.

Obedience to God's Call
Moses' response to God's call is a model of obedience. Believers are encouraged to respond promptly and faithfully to God's direction in their lives.

The Significance of Place
Mount Sinai is a place of divine revelation and covenant. It reminds believers of the importance of sacred spaces and moments in their spiritual journey.

The Continuity of God's Revelation
The events at Sinai are part of a larger account of God's revelation to His people, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.(20) On the top of the mount.--On the summit of the Ras Sufsafeh, not on the Jebel Musa, which is out of sight from the plain of Er Rahah.

Verse 20. - On the top of the mount. Not, probably, on the highest point of the Sinaitic group, the Jebel Musa, which is out of sight from the plain Er-Rahah, where the Israelites must have been assembled; but on the highest part of the face of Sinai fronting that plain, the Ras Sufsafeh, which would be to the Israelites at the base "the top of the mount." The Lord called Moses up. Perhaps with Aaron, who certainly accompanied him when he next ascended (ver. 24), and who seems to be glanced at in the phrase used at the end of ver. 23

CHAPTER 19:21-25

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

descended
וַיֵּ֧רֶד (way·yê·reḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the top
רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Mount
הַ֥ר (har)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

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

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

called
וַיִּקְרָ֨א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

Moses
לְמֹשֶׁ֛ה (lə·mō·šeh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the summit.
רֹ֥אשׁ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

So [Moses]
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

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


Links
Exodus 19:20 NIV
Exodus 19:20 NLT
Exodus 19:20 ESV
Exodus 19:20 NASB
Exodus 19:20 KJV

Exodus 19:20 BibleApps.com
Exodus 19:20 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 19:20 Chinese Bible
Exodus 19:20 French Bible
Exodus 19:20 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 19:20 Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 19:19
Top of Page
Top of Page