Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. New Living Translation As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was. English Standard Version The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Berean Standard Bible And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. King James Bible And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. New King James Version So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. New American Standard Bible So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. NASB 1995 So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was. NASB 1977 So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was. Legacy Standard Bible So the people stood at a distance, but Moses came near the dense gloom where God was. Amplified Bible So the people stood at a [safe] distance, but Moses approached the thick cloud where God was. Christian Standard Bible And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the total darkness where God was. Holman Christian Standard Bible And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. American Standard Version And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. Contemporary English Version But when Moses went near the thick cloud where God was, the people stayed a long way off. English Revised Version And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. GOD'S WORD® Translation The people kept their distance while Moses went closer to the dark cloud where God was. Good News Translation But the people continued to stand a long way off, and only Moses went near the dark cloud where God was. International Standard Version Then the people stood at a distance, and Moses approached the thick cloud where God was. NET Bible The people kept their distance, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. New Heart English Bible The people stayed at a distance, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Webster's Bible Translation And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. World English Bible The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where God was. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the people stand far off, and Moses has drawn near to the thick darkness where God [is]. Young's Literal Translation And the people stand afar off, and Moses hath drawn nigh unto the thick darkness where God is. Smith's Literal Translation And the people will stand from far off, and Moses will draw near to the darkness where God is there. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the people stood afar off. But Moses went to the dark cloud wherein God was. Catholic Public Domain Version And the people stood far away. But Moses approached toward the mist, in which was God. New American Bible So the people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the dark cloud where God was. New Revised Standard Version Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the people stood at a distance and Moshe came to the thick darkness of the place of God. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the people stood afar off; but Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the people stood afar off, and Moses went into the darkness where God was. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Moses Comforts the People…20“Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.” 21And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Cross References Deuteronomy 5:5 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 24:2 Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.” 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 8:12 Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. 2 Chronicles 6:1 Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. Numbers 12:5 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, Psalm 97:2 Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation. Psalm 18:11 He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him. 1 Timothy 6:16 He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. 1 John 1:5 And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Matthew 17:5 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!” 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!” Luke 9:34-35 While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. / And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!” Treasury of Scripture And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. the people Exodus 19:16,17 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled… Deuteronomy 5:5 (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, thick 1 Kings 8:12 Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. 2 Chronicles 6:1 Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. Psalm 18:9,12 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet… Jump to Previous Afar Approached Cloud Dark Darkness Distance Drawn Drew Far Kept Moses Obscurity Places Stand Stood ThickJump to Next Afar Approached Cloud Dark Darkness Distance Drawn Drew Far Kept Moses Obscurity Places Stand Stood ThickExodus 20 1. The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah18. The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them 21. Idolatry is forbidden 23. Of what sort the altar should be And the people stood at a distance This phrase highlights the fear and reverence the Israelites felt in the presence of God's holiness. The distance signifies the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, a recurring theme throughout Scripture. This separation is also seen in the structure of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, where only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year. The people's fear is a reminder of the awe and respect due to God, as seen in Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai. 2. The People Refers to the Israelites who were delivered from Egypt and were now at Mount Sinai to receive God's commandments. 3. Thick Darkness Represents the presence of God on Mount Sinai, a manifestation of His divine majesty and holiness. 4. God The Almighty, who is revealing His Law to Moses and establishing a covenant with the Israelites. 5. Mount Sinai The mountain where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, a significant location for the Israelites' covenant with God. Teaching Points Reverence for God's HolinessThe Israelites' distance from the thick darkness signifies a deep reverence for God's holiness. We are called to approach God with the same awe and respect. Mediatorship of Moses Moses acts as a mediator between God and the people, foreshadowing Christ's role as our ultimate mediator. We can draw near to God through Jesus, who intercedes for us. God's Presence in Darkness The thick darkness symbolizes God's mysterious and incomprehensible nature. Even when we cannot see or understand, God is present and working. Fear and Faith The Israelites' fear of God's presence can remind us of the balance between fear of the Lord and faith in His goodness. Healthy fear leads to obedience and trust. Approaching God with Confidence While the Israelites stood at a distance, through Christ, we are invited to draw near to God with confidence, knowing we are covered by His grace. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 202 Chronicles 6:1–2: If God is said to dwell in “thick darkness,” how does this align with other passages presenting God as light? If Exodus 33:11 says Moses spoke with God 'face to face,' how do we reconcile this with Exodus 33:20 where God says no one can see His face and live? Numbers 21:8-9 - Why would God command Moses to create a bronze serpent, seemingly at odds with prohibitions against idol-making in Exodus 20? Numbers 20:8-11 - Why does this passage seem inconsistent with Exodus 17:6 regarding the instructions God gives Moses for drawing water from a rock?Verse 21. - The people stood afar off. They retired from the base of Sinai to their tents, where they "stood," probably in their tent doors. And Moses drew near unto the thick darkness. As the people drew back, Moses drew near. The display which drove them off, attracted him. He did not even fear the "thick darkness" - a thing front which human nature commonly shrinks. Where God was, he would be. CHAPTER 20:22-26 Hebrew And the peopleהָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock stood וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations at a distance מֵרָחֹ֑ק (mê·rā·ḥōq) Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious as Moses וּמֹשֶׁה֙ (ū·mō·šeh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver approached נִגַּ֣שׁ (nig·gaš) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach the thick darkness הָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל (hā·‘ă·rā·p̄el) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6205: Cloud, heavy cloud where אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that God was. הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Links Exodus 20:21 NIVExodus 20:21 NLT Exodus 20:21 ESV Exodus 20:21 NASB Exodus 20:21 KJV Exodus 20:21 BibleApps.com Exodus 20:21 Biblia Paralela Exodus 20:21 Chinese Bible Exodus 20:21 French Bible Exodus 20:21 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 20:21 The people stayed at a distance (Exo. 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