Exodus 24:17
New International Version
To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.

New Living Translation
To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of the LORD appeared at the summit like a consuming fire.

English Standard Version
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
And to the eyes of the sons of Israel, the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.

NASB 1995
And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.

NASB 1977
And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the appearance of the glory of Yahweh was like a consuming fire on the mountain top, in the eyes of the sons of Israel.

Amplified Bible
In the sight of the Israelites the appearance of the glory and brilliance of the LORD was like consuming fire on the top of the mountain.

Christian Standard Bible
The appearance of the LORD’s glory to the Israelites was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The appearance of the LORD’s glory to the Israelites was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop.

American Standard Version
And the appearance of the glory of Jehovah was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

English Revised Version
And the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To the Israelites, the glory of the LORD looked like a raging fire on top of the mountain.

International Standard Version
To the Israelis the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.

Majority Standard Bible
And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites.

NET Bible
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in plain view of the people.

New Heart English Bible
The appearance of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
The appearance of Yahweh’s glory was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the appearance of the glory of YHWH [is] as a consuming fire on the top of the mountain, before the eyes of the sons of Israel;

Young's Literal Translation
And the appearance of the honour of Jehovah is as a consuming fire on the top of the mount, before the eyes of the sons of Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the appearance of the glory of Jehovah as consuming fire upon the head of the, mountain in the eyes of the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like a burning fire upon the top of the mount, in the eyes of the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a burning fire over the summit of the mountain in the sight of the sons of Israel.

New American Bible
To the Israelites the glory of the LORD was seen as a consuming fire on the top of the mountain.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And in the sight of all the children of Israel he saw the glory of the LORD like a burning fire on the top of the mountain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he saw the glory of LORD JEHOVAH as fire that burned on the top of the mountain before the eyes of the entire house of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the appearance of the glory of the Lord was as burning fire on the top of the mountain, before the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses on the Mountain
16and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. 17And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. 18Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.…

Cross References
Exodus 19:18
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.

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Hebrews 12:29
“For our God is a consuming fire.”

Ezekiel 1:27-28
From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. / The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Revelation 1:14-15
The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Isaiah 30:27-30
Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire. / His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray. / You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. ...

Daniel 7:9-10
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. / A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

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.

Psalm 50:3
Our God approaches and will not be silent! Consuming fire precedes Him, and a tempest rages around Him.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. / The priests were unable to enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled it. / When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

Matthew 17:2
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Revelation 19:12
He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows.

Isaiah 6:4
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.

1 Kings 18:38
Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

like devouring 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 19:18
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.

Deuteronomy 4:24,36
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God…

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Exodus 24
1. Moses is called up into the mountain
3. The people promise obedience
4. Moses builds an altar, and twelve pillars.
6. He sprinkles the blood of the covenant
9. The glory of God appears
14. Aaron and Hur have the charge of the people
15. Moses goes into the mountain, where he continues forty days and forty nights.














And the sight
The Hebrew word for "sight" is "מַרְאֶה" (mar'eh), which refers to an appearance or vision. This term emphasizes the visual manifestation of God's presence, which was not just a spiritual experience but a tangible, observable event. The Israelites were given a rare opportunity to witness the divine glory, reinforcing the reality and power of God in a way that was undeniable and awe-inspiring.

of the glory
The word "glory" in Hebrew is "כָּבוֹד" (kavod), which signifies weightiness, honor, and splendor. In the context of God's glory, it represents His majestic presence and divine holiness. The glory of the LORD is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often associated with His power and authority. Here, it serves as a reminder of God's supreme and unapproachable holiness, which demands reverence and worship.

of the LORD
The term "LORD" is translated from the Hebrew "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the sacred and personal name of God. This name is deeply significant, representing God's eternal existence and covenantal faithfulness. The use of YHWH in this verse underscores the personal relationship between God and His people, as well as His role as the sovereign ruler of the universe.

was like a consuming fire
The imagery of a "consuming fire" is powerful and evocative. In Hebrew, "אֵשׁ אֹכֶלֶת" (esh ochelet) conveys the idea of a fire that devours or consumes completely. This metaphor highlights God's purity and holiness, which cannot coexist with sin. It serves as a warning of God's righteous judgment but also as a symbol of His purifying presence, which refines and sanctifies His people.

on the mountaintop
The mountaintop, specifically Mount Sinai, is a place of divine revelation and encounter. Throughout the Bible, mountains are often depicted as locations where God reveals Himself to humanity. The elevation of the mountaintop signifies a place set apart, where heaven and earth meet, and where God's presence is made manifest in a unique and powerful way.

in the eyes of the Israelites
The phrase "in the eyes of the Israelites" emphasizes the communal aspect of this divine encounter. It was not just Moses or a select few who witnessed God's glory, but the entire nation. This collective experience served to unify the people in their faith and understanding of God's majesty. It also reinforced their identity as God's chosen people, bound by the covenant established at Sinai.

(17) The sight of the glory of the Lord.--To the Israelites in the plain below, the appearance on the top of the Ras Sufsafeh was "like devouring fire." A light like that of a conflagration rested on the top of the Ras Sufsafeh all the time that Moses was away.

Verse 17 - Meanwhile, to those below in the plain, "the glory of the Lord" on the summit above them, was like devouring fire on the top of the mount. They had but to lift their eyes thither, and they saw his wonderful glory - showing like a huge fire - on the spot from which he had spoken to them (Exodus 20:18). This manifestation continued certainly for the first six days; whether it lasted longer or not is open to question.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the sight
וּמַרְאֵה֙ (ū·mar·’êh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

of the glory
כְּב֣וֹד (kə·ḇō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

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

was like a consuming
אֹכֶ֖לֶת (’ō·ḵe·leṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

fire
כְּאֵ֥שׁ (kə·’êš)
Preposition-k | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

on the mountaintop
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ (bə·rōš)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

in the eyes
לְעֵינֵ֖י (lə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the Israelites.
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Exodus 24:17 The appearance of the glory of Yahweh (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 24:16
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