Exodus 20:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

Complete Jewish Bible:

they said to Moshe, "You, speak with us; and we will listen. But don't let God speak with us, or we will die."

Berean Standard Bible:

“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”

American Standard Version:

And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they said^{H559} unto Moses^{H4872}, Speak^{H1696} thou with us, and we will hear^{H8085}: but let not God^{H430} speak^{H1696} with us, lest we die^{H4191}.

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Commentary for Exodus 20:19

Theme: Fear of God and Mediation
Exodus 20:19 captures the Israelites' reaction to the theophany at Mount Sinai, where they received the Ten Commandments. The overwhelming presence of God, marked by thunder, lightning, and a loud trumpet blast (Exodus 20:18), instilled a deep fear in the people. They recognized their unworthiness and vulnerability in the presence of the holy and almighty God.

The Israelites' request for Moses to act as an intermediary between them and God reflects their need for a mediator who could withstand God's holiness and convey His words to them. This theme of mediation is significant in the Bible, prefiguring the role of Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

Historical Context:
This event occurs shortly after the exodus from Egypt, during the Israelites' sojourn in the wilderness. The giving of the Ten Commandments and the establishment of the Mosaic covenant were pivotal moments in the formation of Israel as a nation under God. The fear expressed by the people underscores the radical shift from the familiar Egyptian polytheism to the new experience of monotheism and the worship of Yahweh, who was revealing Himself in an unprecedented, direct, and awe-inspiring manner.

The verse also highlights the unique role of Moses as a prophet and leader, setting a precedent for prophetic mediation in the religious life of Israel. This moment at Sinai thus becomes a foundational narrative for Israel's identity, worship, and understanding of God's holiness and human sinfulness, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
5. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4191
   There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּת
   Transliteration: mûwth
   Pronunciation: mooth
   Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.