Exodus 24:15

And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.

And Moses {H4872} went up {H5927} into the mount {H2022}, and a cloud {H6051} covered {H3680} the mount {H2022}.

Moshe went up onto the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. (A: Maftir)

When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it,

And Moses went up into the mount, and the cloud covered the mount.

Commentary

Exodus 24:15 describes a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as Moses ascends Mount Sinai to commune directly with God, a scene immediately marked by a profound visual manifestation of the divine presence.

Context

This verse follows the ratification of the covenant between God and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. After the people agreed to obey God's laws (Exodus 24:3, 7), and a select group (Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders) had a unique vision of God (Exodus 24:9-11), Moses is now called to a higher, more intimate encounter. His ascent, as described in Exodus 24:12, was specifically to receive the stone tablets inscribed with the Law and the commandments.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence (Theophany): The "cloud" is a recurring and powerful symbol of God's immediate, often mysterious, presence in the Old Testament. It signifies His glory, majesty, and sometimes His veiled nature, indicating that He is both near and utterly transcendent. This aligns with other instances where God manifests Himself in a thick cloud, as seen earlier on Sinai.
  • Preparation for Revelation: The covering of the mount by the cloud serves as a divine barrier, separating Moses for a unique period of communion and preparing the way for the giving of the Law. It emphasizes the holiness of God and the sacredness of the impending revelation.
  • Moses' Unique Role: Moses is portrayed here as the chosen mediator between God and Israel. While the people are kept at a distance, Moses alone is permitted to enter the cloud, symbolizing his unparalleled access to God's direct communication and instruction.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mount" is har (Χ”Χ¨), referring specifically to Mount Sinai, also known as Horeb. The "cloud" is anan (גנן), a common biblical term for a visible manifestation of God's presence, often associated with His glory (kavod, Χ›Χ‘Χ•Χ“). This cloud is not merely atmospheric but a supernatural phenomenon, signifying God's active involvement and separation from the common realm.

Significance and Application

Exodus 24:15 underscores the awe-inspiring nature of God's presence and His meticulous preparation for revealing His will to humanity. The cloud covering Mount Sinai reminds us that God's glory is immense and often veiled, yet He desires to draw near to His people and communicate with them. For the Israelites, it signified the holiness required to approach God. For believers today, it speaks to the privilege of communion with a holy God, made possible not by a physical ascent into a cloud, but through the mediation of Jesus Christ, who grants us access to the Father. The preparation Moses underwent also highlights the seriousness and reverence with which we should approach God's word and His presence.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 19:9

    ΒΆ And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

  • Matthew 17:5

    While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

  • Exodus 19:16

    ΒΆ 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.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:1

    ΒΆ Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
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