Exodus 19:15

KJV

And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at [your] wives.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto the people {H5971}, Be {H1961} ready {H3559} against the third {H7969} day {H3117}: come {H5066} not at your wives {H802}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to the people, "Prepare for the third day; don't approach a woman."

Berean Standard Bible

“Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not near a woman.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 19:15 encapsulates Moses' divine directive to the Israelite nation, commanding a period of ceremonial and spiritual preparation for their impending, momentous encounter with Yahweh at Mount Sinai. This instruction, given in anticipation of God's descent on the third day, underscores the profound holiness of the Almighty and the absolute necessity for His people to consecrate themselves. It highlights the solemnity and gravity required of humanity when approaching the divine presence, setting the stage for the formal establishment of the Mosaic Covenant and the direct revelation of God's Law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is embedded within the dramatic narrative of Israel's arrival at Mount Sinai and the meticulous preparations for the giving of the Torah. Immediately preceding it, [Exodus 19:9-14](/exodus/19-9-14 "Exodus 19:9-14 - God's Promise and Moses' Instructions for Consecration") details God's promise to appear in a thick cloud and Moses' initial instructions for the people to consecrate themselves, including washing their clothes and setting boundaries around the mountain. The command in Exodus 19:15, specifically mandating sexual abstinence, serves as the culmination of these purification rites, emphasizing a comprehensive setting apart. Following this intense preparation, [Exodus 19:16-25](/exodus/19-16-25 "Exodus 19:16-25 - The Theophany at Sinai") vividly portrays the awe-inspiring theophany: thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and the sound of a trumpet, as God descends upon Sinai. This entire chapter meticulously builds anticipation for and frames the direct revelation of the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments") and subsequent covenant stipulations, profoundly emphasizing the majestic holiness of God's presence and the indispensable requirement of human purity in His sight.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Having recently experienced miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage through the [Exodus](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Departure from Egypt"), the Israelites were now in the wilderness, on the verge of transforming from a liberated group of slaves into a covenant nation. The instructions in [Exodus 19:10-15](/exodus/19-10-15 "Exodus 19:10-15 - Consecration for Encountering God") were not arbitrary but resonated with ancient Near Eastern practices of approaching the divine. Many cultures observed rituals of purification, often involving ceremonial washing and temporary abstinence, before encountering their deities. However, Israel's encounter with Yahweh was distinct due to His unique, absolute holiness and His initiative to establish a direct, personal covenant with His chosen people. The command to "come not at your wives" was a concrete, physical act of consecration, signifying a complete focus and dedication to God alone. It temporarily suspended even legitimate human activities, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the divine presence. This period of intense preparation was designed to instill in the people a profound sense of the gravity, sanctity, and transformative power of their impending covenant relationship with the Holy One of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 19:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Holiness**, emphasizing God's absolute transcendence and His separation from all that is common or defiled. This verse highlights that humanity cannot approach such a God without specific, divinely mandated preparation, reinforcing the idea that God is "other." Closely related is the theme of **Consecration and Purity**, as the people are commanded to set themselves apart both ritually and physically in anticipation of God's presence. This act of purification foreshadows the broader emphasis on holiness found throughout the [Mosaic Law](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy"). Furthermore, the instruction points to the theme of **Covenant Relationship**, as the preparation is directly linked to the formal establishment of the covenant at Sinai. It signifies the people's readiness to enter into a unique, binding relationship with Yahweh, requiring their obedience and dedication. Finally, the mention of the "third day" introduces the theme of **Divine Timing and Revelation**, suggesting God's precise and deliberate orchestration of His encounters with humanity, often at climactic moments, as seen in other significant biblical events like the [resurrection of Christ](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Resurrection on the Third Day").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** The Hebrew verb אָמַר (_ʼâmar'_), translated as "said," is a fundamental term used with broad latitude, indicating speech, command, declaration, or instruction. Here, it conveys the authoritative nature of Moses' communication, emphasizing that these are not his personal suggestions but direct, divinely inspired commands from God. The word highlights the immediate and direct transmission of God's will to the people through His chosen mediator, Moses.
* **ready (Hebrew, _kûwn'_):** The Hebrew root כּוּן (_kûwn'_), rendered "be ready" or "prepare," carries a profound semantic weight. It fundamentally means "to be erect" or "to be established," and causatively, "to set up," "to fix," or "to prepare." In this context, it signifies more than just physical readiness; it implies a state of being properly aligned, consecrated, and inwardly poised for a momentous event. It denotes a deliberate, intentional act of spiritual and mental preparation, indicating a firm and stable readiness for a holy encounter with God.
* **come not at (Hebrew, _nâgash'_):** The verb נָגַשׁ (_nâgash'_), meaning "to draw near" or "to approach," is used euphemistically here for sexual intimacy when paired with "wives." This specific prohibition for temporary sexual abstinence underscores the concept of ceremonial purity. It signifies that even legitimate human relations were to be temporarily suspended to ensure the people's complete focus and ritual cleanness before the utterly holy presence of God. It was a tangible act of setting aside all potential distractions to consecrate themselves fully to the divine moment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto the people,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker as Moses, acting as God's authoritative messenger and mediator. It emphasizes that the subsequent instructions are not human suggestions but divine commands, intended for the entire Israelite community, thereby underscoring their universal applicability and binding nature.
* **"Be ready against the third day:"**: This is a direct, imperative command for active and intentional preparation, specifying a precise timeframe for the divine encounter. The "third day" serves as a crucial temporal marker, building anticipation and highlighting God's meticulous timing. It requires the people to align their actions with a divinely appointed moment, emphasizing the solemnity and significance of the impending revelation.
* **"come not at [your] wives."**: This specific prohibition mandates temporary sexual abstinence. It constitutes a vital element of the ritual purification process, symbolizing a complete dedication and setting apart of the people for the sacred event. By abstaining from even legitimate marital relations, the Israelites were to demonstrate their singular focus on God, their profound reverence for His holiness, and their unwavering commitment to ceremonial purity before His awesome and majestic presence.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 19:15 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. The most evident is **Command**, as Moses delivers direct, imperative instructions from God to the people, emphasizing the absolute authority of the divine word and the necessity of immediate obedience. The phrase "Be ready against the third day" effectively utilizes **Anticipation**, building suspense and eager expectation for the momentous divine revelation. The "third day" itself functions as potent **Symbolism**, a recurring motif in biblical narrative often associated with divine intervention, new beginnings, or climactic events, here signifying the divinely appointed time for God's dramatic appearance. Furthermore, the command to "come not at your wives" is a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a specific physical act (sexual abstinence) stands for a broader concept of ritual purity and complete consecration. This physical separation symbolizes a spiritual setting apart, highlighting the profound holiness of God and the required human response of reverence, self-discipline, and purification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 19:15 profoundly articulates the foundational theological principle of divine holiness and the corresponding human need for purity, reverence, and intentional preparation when approaching God. The commands for consecration and abstinence underscore that God is utterly set apart, transcendent, and distinct from His creation. Therefore, human beings cannot approach Him casually or on their own terms. This preparation was not a means of earning God's favor but an act of acknowledging His inherent sanctity and the immense gravity of entering into a covenant relationship with the Creator of the universe. It teaches that true worship and communion with God necessitate a conscious act of consecration, requiring the setting aside of worldly distractions and the dedication of oneself wholly to Him. This principle of holiness is foundational to the entire Old Testament Law and finds its ultimate, perfected fulfillment in the New Covenant through Christ.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All Your Conduct")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 19:15, while rooted in specific Old Covenant ritual commands, offers timeless and profound principles for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a deep reverence for God, reminding us that our encounters with the divine—whether in corporate worship, private prayer, diligent study of His Word, or acts of service—should always be approached with intentionality, humility, and a profound awareness of His holiness. Just as the Israelites prepared physically, we are called to spiritual preparation, which involves setting aside distractions, confessing sin, and cultivating a heart singularly focused on God. This verse challenges us to consider what "coming not at our wives" means in a contemporary context: what legitimate, even good, aspects of our lives might we need to temporarily set aside or reorder to give God our undivided attention and honor His sacred presence? It encourages a lifestyle of ongoing sanctification, recognizing that as believers, we are a people set apart for God's purposes, called to live in a manner that reflects His holiness in all our conduct, relationships, and daily pursuits.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "being ready" for God's presence look like in my daily life today, particularly in my devotional practices and worship?**
* **What legitimate activities or distractions might I need to temporarily set aside or reorder to cultivate a deeper, more focused encounter with God?**
* **How does the absolute holiness of God, as powerfully emphasized in this verse, impact my approach to worship, prayer, and Bible study?**
* **In what practical ways can I actively pursue a life of greater consecration and sanctification, reflecting that I am set apart for God's glory?**

### FAQ
**Why was sexual abstinence specifically commanded before meeting God at Sinai?**

Answer: The command for sexual abstinence was an integral part of a comprehensive set of purification rites designed to impress upon the Israelites the absolute holiness of God and the solemnity of their impending encounter with Him. In ancient cultures, temporary abstinence was often practiced before sacred ceremonies, battles, or significant religious events to ensure ritual purity and focused attention. For the Israelites, it symbolized a complete setting apart of themselves—body, mind, and spirit—from all ordinary human activities and concerns, even legitimate ones, to consecrate their entire being to the divine presence. It was a tangible act of profound reverence, demonstrating that nothing should distract or defile them as they prepared to stand before the Holy One and receive His covenant. It underscored the gravity of the moment and the need for utmost purity in the presence of a holy God.

**Does the specific command "come not at your wives" apply to New Testament believers today?**

Answer: While the specific ritual command for temporary sexual abstinence before a physical encounter with God at a mountain does not directly apply to New Testament believers in the same literal way, the underlying spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant and eternal. Christians are not under the Mosaic ceremonial law, as Christ has fulfilled its requirements. However, the principles of reverence, consecration, and purity before God are timeless. We are called to live lives of continuous sanctification, being set apart for God's purposes ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All Your Conduct")). This means approaching God in worship, prayer, and service with a heart prepared, free from defilement, and fully focused on Him. It encourages us to prioritize our spiritual walk and to sometimes set aside even good, legitimate things that might hinder our communion with God, ensuring our hearts and minds are fully consecrated to Him and that we are living in a manner worthy of His holy presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 19:15, with its profound emphasis on meticulous preparation and ceremonial purity for meeting a holy God, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate access and perfect purification provided through Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, the people had to undergo rigorous external rituals and maintain physical distance from God's overwhelming presence, mediated by Moses. The command to "be ready against the third day" and "come not at your wives" vividly underscored the profound chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, a gap that could only be temporarily and ritually bridged through prescribed rites. However, in Christ, this chasm is permanently and perfectly bridged. Jesus is the ultimate mediator, greater than Moses, who not only fully reveals God but also makes us truly ready and acceptable to enter His presence. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection on the [third day](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Resurrection on the Third Day"), Christ purifies us from within, not merely externally. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making us inherently holy and blameless before God. Because of His once-for-all sacrifice, believers are now a [royal priesthood, a holy nation](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood"), no longer needing temporary abstentions or external rituals but possessing continuous, confident access to the Father through the [new and living way](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place") opened by His shed blood. Our "readiness" is no longer achieved through our own imperfect efforts or rituals but through faith in Him, who has made us perfectly pure and eternally acceptable in God's sight, enabling us to draw near with confidence to the [throne of grace](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence") at all times.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

1 Corinthians 7:5

Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

1 Samuel 21:4

And the priest answered David, and said, [There is] no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.

1 Samuel 21:5

And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women [have been] kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and [the bread is] in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.

Joel 2:16

Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Matthew 3:10

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 3:12

Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.