Exodus 20:18

KJV

¶ And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw [it], they removed, and stood afar off.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the people {H5971} saw {H7200} the thunderings {H6963}, and the lightnings {H3940}, and the noise {H6963} of the trumpet {H7782}, and the mountain {H2022} smoking {H6226}: and when the people {H5971} saw {H7200} it, they removed {H5128}, and stood {H5975} afar off {H7350}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the people experienced the thunder, the lightning, the sound of the shofar, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled. Standing at a distance,

Berean Standard Bible

When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance.

American Standard Version

And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 20:18 powerfully depicts the Israelites' profound and terrifying encounter with God at Mount Sinai immediately after the Ten Commandments were spoken. Overwhelmed by the raw, multi-sensory manifestation of divine power—thunderings, lightnings, the sound of a trumpet, and a smoking mountain—the people recoiled in fear, physically withdrawing and maintaining a significant distance. This visceral reaction underscores the immense holiness and unapproachable majesty of God's presence, highlighting the chasm between a transcendent Deity and sinful humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic culmination of God's direct revelation of the Law to Israel, following the pronouncement of the Ten Commandments in [Exodus 20:1-17](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20:1-17 - The Ten Commandments"). Having heard God's voice directly from the mountain, the people's reaction in [Exodus 20:18](/exodus/20-18 "Exodus 20:18 - The People's Fear at Sinai") is one of overwhelming fear, leading directly to their plea for Moses to act as a mediator in [Exodus 20:19](/exodus/20-19 "Exodus 20:19 - Israel Requests a Mediator"). This pivotal moment transitions from direct divine address to mediated communication, shaping the nature of the covenant relationship going forward. The preceding chapters, particularly [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai"), establish the preparations for this encounter, including God's instructions to Moses to set boundaries around the mountain, warning against any unauthorized approach on pain of death, thereby emphasizing the sacred and dangerous nature of God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene at Mount Sinai is the foundational event for the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant, marking Israel's formal adoption as God's chosen people and the giving of the Law that would govern their lives. This dramatic manifestation of God, known as a theophany, was designed to instill a profound sense of awe and reverence, impressing upon the Israelites the absolute sovereignty and holiness of the God with whom they were entering into covenant. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the presence of deities was often associated with powerful natural phenomena, but the Sinai event was uniquely intense and direct. The people's reaction of "removing, and standing afar off" was not merely a spontaneous act of terror, but a recognition of the vast gulf between human sinfulness and divine purity, a theological truth frequently underscored throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 6:5](/isaiah/6-5 "Isaiah 6:5 - Isaiah's Vision and Confession")). This experience laid the groundwork for the priestly system and the tabernacle, which would provide a divinely ordained means for a holy God to dwell among His people while maintaining the necessary separation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thunderings (קֹלֹת, _qōlōt_):** This Hebrew plural noun literally means "voices" or "sounds." While translated as "thunderings" here, its broader meaning suggests that the thunder was perceived not merely as a natural phenomenon but as the very powerful, authoritative "voice" of God, echoing the divine pronouncements from the mountain. This emphasizes the auditory impact of God's presence.
* **Removed (וַיָּנֻעוּ, _wayyānuʿū_):** Derived from the root נוּע (_nûaʿ_), meaning "to shake," "to tremble," or "to stagger." This word conveys a sense of being violently shaken or dislodged, indicating a visceral, involuntary reaction of terror that led to a physical withdrawal. It's not just moving away, but being driven back by the overwhelming force.
* **Stood afar off (וַיַּעַמְדוּ מֵרָחֹק, _wayyaʿamdû mērāḥōq_):** This phrase explicitly describes the people's deliberate act of maintaining distance. The verb "stood" (עָמַד, _ʿāmad_) implies a fixed posture, signifying a conscious decision to remain separate and not approach. "Afar off" (מֵרָחֹק, _mērāḥōq_) reinforces the physical and symbolic chasm between the holy God and the fearful people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking":** This clause vividly describes the overwhelming sensory experience of the theophany. The people were subjected to a multi-modal assault of divine power: the booming sound of thunder (God's voice), the blinding flashes of lightning, the piercing blast of a supernatural trumpet, and the ominous sight of the mountain enveloped in smoke. This combination created an atmosphere of profound dread and awe, signifying God's uncontainable might and glory.
* **"and when the people saw [it], they removed, and stood afar off":** This second clause details the immediate and profound reaction of the Israelites. The repetition of "saw" emphasizes that their fear was a direct response to the visible and audible manifestations of God. Their "removing" suggests a spontaneous, almost involuntary recoil, while "stood afar off" indicates a conscious decision to maintain a safe, respectful, and fearful distance. This action underscores their recognition of God's holiness and their own unworthiness to approach Him directly.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 20:18 is rich in literary devices that amplify the dramatic impact of the scene. The most prominent is **Theophany**, the visible manifestation of God's presence, which is depicted through a powerful array of **Sensory Imagery**. The text appeals directly to both sight ("lightnings," "mountain smoking") and sound ("thunderings," "noise of the trumpet"), creating an immersive and overwhelming experience for the reader, mirroring the Israelites' own sensory overload. The use of **Hyperbole** or extreme language, particularly in the cumulative effect of these phenomena, emphasizes the unprecedented and terrifying nature of the divine encounter. The "mountain smoking" and the "noise of the trumpet" serve as **Symbolism** for God's awesome power, His unapproachable holiness, and the gravity of the covenant being established. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established between God's overwhelming, consuming presence and the people's fearful, retreating posture, highlighting the vast ontological gap between the Creator and His creatures, especially in their fallen state.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 20:18 encapsulates profound theological truths about God's nature and humanity's relationship to Him. It vividly portrays God's transcendent holiness, His absolute power, and His unapproachable majesty. The people's terror and withdrawal underscore the inherent separation between a perfectly holy God and sinful humanity, revealing the Old Covenant's emphasis on distance and mediation. This scene cultivates the "fear of the Lord," which is not mere dread, but a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's authority and character, recognized in Scripture as the beginning of wisdom. It also highlights the critical need for a mediator between God and humanity, a role that Moses was called to fulfill in the immediate aftermath of this event.

* [Hebrews 12:18-21](/hebrews/12-18 "The Terrifying Mount Sinai")
* [Deuteronomy 5:22-27](/deuteronomy/5-22 "Israel's Request for a Mediator")
* [Psalm 18:7-15](/psalms/18-7 "God's Manifestation in Nature")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The terrifying scene at Mount Sinai in Exodus 20:18 serves as an enduring reminder of God's awe-inspiring holiness and immense power. While believers today approach God not with the dread experienced at a distant, smoking mountain, but through the gracious access provided by Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, this passage still calls us to a profound reverence. It underscores the absolute necessity of a mediator between a holy God and fallen humanity, a role perfectly and eternally fulfilled by Christ. This account encourages us to worship God with both awe for His majesty and profound gratitude for the new covenant, which bridges the gap that the Israelites experienced at Sinai. Our access to God is now one of grace and intimacy, yet it must never diminish our understanding of His transcendent glory and the reverence due to His name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the scene at Mount Sinai shape your understanding of God's holiness and power?**
* **What does it mean to "fear the Lord" in a New Covenant context, where we are invited to approach God as Father?**
* **How does the contrast between the Israelites' experience at Sinai and our access to God through Christ deepen your gratitude for salvation?**

### FAQ
**Why did the people react with such fear at Mount Sinai?**

Answer: The people reacted with such intense fear because they were experiencing a direct, unmediated encounter with the infinitely holy and powerful God. The sensory phenomena—thunderings, lightnings, the trumpet blast, and the smoking mountain—were overwhelming manifestations of God's glory and majesty, designed to impress upon them His absolute sovereignty and the gravity of the covenant. For sinful humanity, direct exposure to such divine purity and power was terrifying, revealing the vast chasm between God and man. Their fear was a natural and appropriate response to the presence of the Almighty, underscoring their unworthiness and the need for a mediator, as they themselves requested in [Exodus 20:19](/exodus/20-19 "Israel Requests a Mediator").

**What is a "theophany" and how does Exodus 20:18 exemplify it?**

Answer: A "theophany" is a visible or otherwise perceptible manifestation of God to humankind. Exodus 20:18 is a classic example of a theophany because it describes God making His presence known through dramatic natural phenomena. The "thunderings," "lightnings," "noise of the trumpet," and "mountain smoking" are all tangible, sensory experiences through which God revealed Himself to the entire Israelite nation. This was not merely a natural storm but a divinely orchestrated display of power and presence, intended to communicate God's reality and authority directly to His people.

**How does this scene relate to the giving of the Law?**

Answer: This scene is inextricably linked to the giving of the Law, specifically the Ten Commandments. The terrifying display of God's power and holiness served to underscore the divine origin and absolute authority of the Law. It was not merely a set of rules from a human leader, but the very word of a holy, unapproachable God, delivered with overwhelming majesty. The fear instilled in the people was meant to impress upon them the seriousness of the covenant and the consequences of disobedience, emphasizing that the Law came from the ultimate Sovereign. It highlights the Law's role in revealing God's character and humanity's inability to perfectly conform to His holy standards.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The terrifying scene at Mount Sinai, where the people recoiled from God's unapproachable holiness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, so vividly displayed in [Exodus 20:18](/exodus/20-18 "The People's Fear at Sinai"), is precisely what Christ came to bridge. At Sinai, the Law was given amidst fire, smoke, and trembling, instilling fear and emphasizing separation; in Christ, grace and truth came, offering reconciliation and intimate access. Jesus is the ultimate Mediator, the "one mediator between God and mankind" ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "One Mediator")). Unlike Moses, who merely stood between God and the people, Christ is both God and man, perfectly uniting the divine and human in His person. Through His atoning sacrifice, He has opened a "new and living way" into the very presence of God, transforming the fearful distance of Sinai into the confident approach to the "throne of grace" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Approach the Throne of Grace")). The unapproachable mountain of the Old Covenant is replaced by the approachable Zion of the New, where believers "have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" ([Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). Thus, the terror of Sinai foreshadows the profound grace of Calvary, where God's holiness is satisfied, and His people are drawn near.

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 19:16

¶ 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.

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.

Jeremiah 23:23

[Am] I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?

Hebrews 12:18

¶ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

Hebrews 12:19

And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

Psalms 139:7

¶ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Psalms 139:8

If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there].