Exodus 19:22

KJV

And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And let the priests {H3548} also, which come near {H5066} to the LORD {H3068}, sanctify {H6942} themselves, lest the LORD {H3068} break forth {H6555} upon them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Even the cohanim, who are allowed to approach ADONAI, must keep themselves holy; otherwise, ADONAI may break out against them."

Berean Standard Bible

Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”

American Standard Version

And let the priests also, that come near to Jehovah, sanctify themselves, lest Jehovah break forth upon them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 19:22 delivers a grave divine injunction to a specific group identified as "priests" at Mount Sinai, commanding them to meticulously consecrate themselves before daring to approach the LORD. This imperative underscores the absolute and consuming holiness of God, emphasizing that even those with designated access must adhere to rigorous standards of ritual and spiritual purity. Failure to do so would invite a sudden, destructive divine judgment, as the Almighty's unbridled holy power would "break forth" upon them, highlighting the perilous consequences of irreverence in the presence of the Sacred.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic narrative of God's covenant initiation at Mount Sinai, following the Israelites' miraculous deliverance from Egypt. The preceding verses, particularly [Exodus 19:10-15](/exodus/19-10-15 "Exodus 19:10-15 - Preparation for God's Appearance at Sinai"), detail the comprehensive preparations required of the entire nation: a three-day period of consecration, washing of clothes, and the strict establishment of boundaries around the mountain, punishable by death for transgression. This collective purification sets the stage for God's descent. [Exodus 19:22](/exodus/19-22 "Exodus 19:22 - Warning to the Priests") then introduces a heightened, specific requirement for a particular group identified as "priests," indicating a tiered system of access to the divine presence. This layered instruction reinforces the profound holiness of the moment and the escalating danger associated with closer proximity to God, even as Moses continues to mediate between God and the people in the subsequent verses.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this nascent stage of Israel's history, prior to the formal establishment of the Aaronic priesthood in [Exodus 28](/exodus/28 "Exodus 28 - The Priestly Garments") and [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - Consecration of Aaron and His Sons"), the term "priests" (Hebrew: כֹּהֲנִים, _kohanim_) likely refers to a pre-existing class of individuals. These were probably the firstborn males of each family, who traditionally held a sacred role (as implied in [Exodus 24:5](/exodus/24-5 "Exodus 24:5 - Young Men Offer Sacrifices")), or other prominent tribal leaders who facilitated worship. The concept of ritual purity and consecration was pervasive in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where deities were often considered powerful and dangerous, requiring specific protocols for interaction. However, Israel's understanding was uniquely tied to the absolute, transcendent holiness of Yahweh, distinct from the capricious gods of their neighbors. The awe-inspiring display at Mount Sinai, with its thunder, lightning, thick cloud, and trumpet blast ([Exodus 19:16-19](/exodus/19-16-19 "Exodus 19:16-19 - God's Appearance on Sinai")), served to instill a profound sense of reverential fear, demonstrating that God was not to be approached casually but with the utmost sanctity and strict obedience to His commands.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 19:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **God's Absolute Holiness and Transcendence**. The strict commands for consecration and the severe warnings underscore that Yahweh is utterly set apart from humanity and sin, demanding a holy approach. This verse also develops the theme of **Mediated Access to God**, illustrating that direct, unmediated access is perilous for sinful humanity, thus necessitating a designated class of individuals (the "priests") to bridge the gap, albeit under stringent conditions. Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **Covenant Requirements and Obedience**, emphasizing that the blessings of the covenant are contingent upon meticulous adherence to divine stipulations. The danger of God "breaking forth" also introduces the theme of **Divine Judgment for Irreverence**, foreshadowing later instances where disregard for sacred protocols results in severe consequences, as seen in the narratives of Nadab and Abihu ([Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")) and Uzzah ([2_samuel/6-7](/2-samuel/6-7 "2 Samuel 6:7 - Uzzah Struck Down")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priests (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** From H3548, this term refers to "one officiating, a priest." In this pre-Aaronic context, it signifies individuals who held a special, recognized role in mediating sacred matters, distinct from the general populace. Their function involved drawing near to God for various purposes, thus necessitating a higher standard of purity and responsibility than the rest of the congregation. The use of this term here highlights an existing, albeit perhaps informal, priestly class before the formal institution of the Levitical priesthood.
* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** From H6942, this verb means "to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); to set apart, consecrate, or hallow." In this command, it denotes a process of ritual and spiritual purification, making oneself fit to enter a sacred space or interact with a holy entity. This would have involved ceremonial washing, abstaining from defiling activities, and adopting a mental and spiritual posture of reverence. It signifies a necessary transition from the common or profane to the sacred, a prerequisite for approaching the Holy God.
* **Break forth (Hebrew, _pârats'_):** From H6555, this primitive root means "to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative); to burst forth, make a breach, or spread." When used in relation to God's action, as here, it conveys a sudden, forceful, and destructive divine intervention or judgment. It implies that God's holiness, if not properly revered, would manifest as an overwhelming and potentially lethal force, akin to a dam bursting or a wall collapsing. This vivid imagery emphasizes the inherent danger of treating God's presence lightly and the immediate, severe consequences of violating His sacred boundaries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And let the priests also":** This opening phrase indicates an additional, specific command directed at a select group, beyond the general consecration already required of all Israel. It highlights their distinct status and greater responsibility in mediating with the divine, implying a closer proximity to God's presence than the common people.
* **"which come near to the LORD":** This clause defines the specific function and privilege of these "priests"—they were permitted, or perhaps expected, to draw closer to God's immediate presence than the general populace. This unique access necessitated an even higher standard of purity and reverence, as direct encounter with the divine carried inherent, perilous risks if not properly managed.
* **"sanctify themselves":** This is the direct, imperative command, reiterating the need for active, intentional self-preparation and purification. It emphasizes that holiness is not merely an attribute of God but a non-negotiable requirement for those who would approach Him, demanding a conscious act of setting oneself apart for sacred service.
* **"lest the LORD break forth upon them":** This concluding clause presents the dire consequence of failure to comply. The phrase "break forth" vividly portrays God's holy wrath as an uncontrollable, destructive force unleashed upon those who violate His sacred space or disregard His commands. It serves as a potent deterrent, powerfully illustrating the perilous nature of irreverence and presumption in the presence of the Almighty.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 19:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and solemn message. The primary device is **Divine Imperative**, expressed through the direct command "let the priests... sanctify themselves." This imperative highlights God's absolute authority and the non-negotiable nature of His requirements for approaching Him. The verse also utilizes **Warning/Admonition**, clearly stating the severe consequence ("lest the LORD break forth upon them") if the command is disregarded. This creates a palpable sense of immediate danger and underscores the gravity of the situation, demanding strict obedience. Furthermore, there is an element of **Foreshadowing**, as this early command regarding priestly purity and the danger of irreverence anticipates later narratives of divine judgment on those who violate sacred protocols, such as Nadab and Abihu ([Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")) or Uzzah ([2_samuel/6-7](/2-samuel/6-7 "2 Samuel 6:7 - Uzzah Struck Down")). The imagery of God "breaking forth" also functions as **Metaphor**, portraying God's holy power as a sudden, overwhelming, and destructive force, not unlike a natural disaster, if His boundaries are transgressed. This language instills a profound sense of awe and fear, emphasizing the unapproachable nature of absolute holiness to anything impure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 19:22 profoundly underscores the fundamental theological truth of God's absolute and unapproachable holiness, a theme central to the entire Old Testament. It establishes that access to the divine presence is not a right but a privilege, granted only under specific, divinely ordained conditions and requiring meticulous preparation and reverence. The command for "priests" to "sanctify themselves" highlights the necessity of human purity and consecration to stand before a holy God, demonstrating that sin and impurity create an impassable barrier. The severe warning against God "breaking forth" upon them reveals the inherent danger of irreverence or presumption in the divine presence, emphasizing that God's holiness, while glorious, is also consuming and dangerous to anything unholy. This verse sets the stage for the elaborate purity laws, the sacrificial system, and the carefully regulated tabernacle worship detailed in the Pentateuch, all designed to bridge the chasm between a holy God and an unholy people, albeit temporarily and symbolically, until a greater mediator would come.

* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")
* [Numbers 16:35](/numbers/16-35 "Numbers 16:35 - Fire Consumes the 250 Men")
* [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Response to God's Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 19:22 serves as a timeless reminder of the profound reverence due to God. While the ritualistic demands of the Old Covenant have been fulfilled and transformed in Christ, the underlying principles of God's unchangeable holiness and the perpetual need for spiritual preparation remain eternally valid. We no longer approach a physical mountain surrounded by fire and smoke, but we draw near to the living God, who is no less holy and majestic. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep sense of awe, humility, and intentionality in every aspect of our spiritual lives—our worship, our prayer, our study of His Word, and our service. It challenges any casualness, presumption, or flippancy in our approach to God, reminding us that true intimacy with Him is predicated on a profound recognition of His majesty and a sincere pursuit of holiness. Our access to God is now by grace through faith in Christ, but this grace does not negate His holiness; rather, it provides the perfect means for us to be made holy and thus truly draw near. We are exhorted to "worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire" ([Hebrews 12:28-29](/hebrews/12-28-29 "Hebrews 12:28-29 - Worship with Reverence and Awe")), understanding that our sanctification is an ongoing process of aligning our lives with His divine purity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the warning in Exodus 19:22 shape your understanding of God's absolute holiness and your personal approach to Him in worship and prayer?**
* **In what ways might we, as New Covenant believers, inadvertently approach God with a lack of reverence, proper preparation, or a casual attitude?**
* **What practical steps can you take to "sanctify yourself" today, given our access to God through the finished work of Christ and the indwelling Spirit?**

### FAQ

**Who were these "priests" mentioned in Exodus 19:22, given that the Aaronic priesthood hadn't been formally established yet?**

Answer: At this early stage in Israel's history, before the formal designation of Aaron and his sons as the Levitical priesthood (which occurs later in [Exodus 28](/exodus/28 "Exodus 28 - The Priestly Garments") and [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - Consecration of Aaron and His Sons")), the term "priests" (Hebrew: _kohanim_) likely refers to a pre-existing class of individuals who served in a priestly capacity. This could have included the firstborn males of each family, who traditionally held a special status and responsibility in worship ([Exodus 24:5](/exodus/24-5 "Exodus 24:5 - Young Men Offer Sacrifices") mentions "young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings"), or other tribal leaders or heads of households who had a recognized role in mediating between God and the people. The context suggests they were individuals with a specific, privileged access to sacred matters, distinct from the general congregation, and thus held to a higher standard of purity and accountability.

**Why was such a strict warning necessary for those approaching God at Mount Sinai?**

Answer: The strict warning was absolutely necessary to impress upon the Israelites the profound and dangerous holiness of God. The events at Mount Sinai were a direct, tangible manifestation of God's awesome presence ([Exodus 19:16-19](/exodus/19-16-19 "Exodus 19:16-19 - God's Appearance on Sinai")), unlike anything they had ever experienced. God's holiness is so pure and absolute that anything unholy or irreverent cannot stand in its presence without being consumed or judged. The warning served multiple purposes: to instill a proper fear and reverence for God, to prevent casual or presumptuous approaches that could lead to immediate death (as seen later with Uzzah in [2 Samuel 6:7](/2-samuel/6-7 "2 Samuel 6:7 - Uzzah Struck Down") or Nadab and Abihu in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire")), and to establish the foundational principle that access to God requires divine initiation and strict adherence to His commands for purity and consecration. It highlighted the immense chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, a chasm that only God Himself could bridge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 19:22, with its stern warning for priests to sanctify themselves lest the LORD "break forth" upon them, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, access to God's presence was severely restricted and mediated through a designated, imperfect priesthood, requiring meticulous ritual purity and constant atonement for sin. The danger of divine judgment for irreverence was ever-present, a stark reminder of humanity's inability to stand before a holy God. However, Jesus, as our Great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")), perfectly fulfills and transcends all requirements of sanctification and mediation. He is the holy, blameless, unstained, and separate-from-sinners sacrifice ([Hebrews 7:26-27](/hebrews/7-26-27 "Hebrews 7:26-27 - Jesus, the Perfect High Priest")) who, by His single, perfect offering, has forever perfected and sanctified those who are being made holy ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). Through His shed blood on the cross, the very veil separating humanity from God's most holy presence was dramatically torn from top to bottom ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), granting believers direct, confident, and unhindered access to the "throne of grace" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace Boldly")). We, as believers, are now a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" ([1_peter/2-9](/1-peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), sanctified not by our own efforts or rituals, but by the Spirit and the precious blood of Jesus Christ ([1_peter/1-2](/1-peter/1-2 "1 Peter 1:2 - Sanctified by the Spirit and Blood")). Thus, the terrifying "breaking forth" of God's wrath, due to sin and irreverence, has been fully absorbed and propitiated by Christ on the cross ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from God's Wrath")), allowing us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Draw Near with Confidence")).

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 24:5

And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

Exodus 19:14

And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

Exodus 19:15

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

Acts 5:10

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying [her] forth, buried [her] by her husband.

Exodus 19:5

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

Acts 5:5

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

1 Chronicles 15:13

For because ye [did it] not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.