Exodus 24:2

KJV

And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} alone shall come near {H5066} the LORD {H3068}: but they shall not come nigh {H5066}; neither shall the people {H5971} go up {H5927} with him.

Complete Jewish Bible

while Moshe alone approaches ADONAI -the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him."

Berean Standard Bible

Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”

American Standard Version

and Moses alone shall come near unto Jehovah; but they shall not come near; neither shall the people go up with him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 24:2 delineates the strict hierarchy of access to God's immediate presence at Mount Sinai, emphasizing the profound holiness of the LORD and the unique mediatorial role of Moses. While the elders and priests were granted a limited proximity to the mountain, Moses alone was permitted to draw near to God, establishing a clear boundary between the divine and the human, and underscoring the necessity of a chosen intermediary for the covenant ratification.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 24:2 is strategically placed within the narrative of the covenant ratification at Mount Sinai, immediately following God's invitation to Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders to ascend the mountain (Exodus 24:1). This verse serves as an immediate clarification and restriction on that general invitation, specifying that ultimate, intimate access to the LORD's presence is reserved exclusively for Moses. It builds upon the preceding chapters (Exodus 20-23), which detail the giving of the Ten Commandments and the "Book of the Covenant"—a collection of laws and statutes that form the terms of Israel's relationship with God. The verse thus underscores the gravity and sacredness of the covenant being established, highlighting the divine majesty that necessitates such strict boundaries even for those chosen to represent the people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of Mount Sinai represents a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marking their formal establishment as God's covenant people. In the ancient Near East, mountains were often considered sacred spaces, points of connection between the earthly and divine realms, and the sites of divine revelation. The theophany at Sinai, with its thunder, lightning, smoke, and trumpet blast (Exodus 19), was an overwhelming demonstration of God's power and holiness, designed to instill both awe and fear in the Israelites. The strict boundaries imposed around the mountain (Exodus 19:12-13 "Exodus 19:12-13 - Boundaries at Sinai") and the restricted access outlined in [Exodus 24:2](/exodus/24-2 "Exodus 24:2 - Moses' Unique Access") were not merely arbitrary rules but served to protect the people from the overwhelming holiness of God, which could be destructive to unholy beings. This hierarchical access also resonated with ancient temple practices, where only designated priests could enter certain sacred areas, reflecting a universal understanding of divine transcendence and human limitation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Alone (Hebrew, _levaddo'_):** This adverb, derived from the root `badad` (to be separate, isolated), emphatically underscores the singular and exclusive nature of Moses' access to the LORD. It leaves no ambiguity: no one else, not even the most privileged elders or priests, shared this level of intimacy or mediatorial privilege at this specific moment. It highlights Moses' unique appointment and the unparalleled trust God placed in him.
* **Come near (Hebrew, _qarab'_):** This verb signifies drawing close, approaching, or presenting oneself. In this context, it denotes a privileged, intimate proximity to the divine presence. The fact that Moses "alone" is permitted to `qarab` to the LORD signifies a level of communion and direct interaction that is forbidden to all others, setting him apart as the primary recipient of God's direct revelation.
* **Come nigh (Hebrew, _nagash'_):** While also meaning "to draw near" or "approach," `nagash` is often used in contexts of general proximity or even confrontation. Its use here, in conjunction with `qarab`, serves to reinforce the absolute prohibition for anyone else. The repetition emphasizes the strictness of the boundary: not only are they not to "come near" (qarab) in the intimate sense, but they are not even to "come nigh" (nagash) in a more general sense of proximity that might imply unauthorized access.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses alone shall come near the LORD":** This clause establishes Moses' unparalleled privilege and unique status. He is singled out from all of Israel, including the most revered leaders, to have direct, intimate access to God's presence. This highlights his divinely appointed role as the primary mediator between God and His covenant people, entrusted with receiving and delivering the divine law.
* **"but they shall not come nigh":** This phrase refers to Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders mentioned in Exodus 24:1. While they were permitted to ascend the mountain to a certain point and witness God's glory from a distance (Exodus 24:9-11), they were explicitly forbidden from approaching the innermost circle of God's immediate presence. This restriction reinforces the concept of graded holiness and the necessity of a single, authorized mediator.
* **"neither shall the people go up with him":** This final prohibition extends the restriction to the entire Israelite populace. It reiterates the strict boundaries established around Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:12-13) and underscores the profound separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. The people were to remain at the foot of the mountain, experiencing God's presence indirectly through Moses, their chosen representative.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Emphasis** is achieved through repetition and specific word choice. The phrase "Moses alone" (מֹשֶׁה לְבַדּוֹ) is a stark declaration of exclusivity, immediately followed by a double negative prohibition ("they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him"), which powerfully reinforces the strictness of the divine boundary. This **Juxtaposition** of Moses' unique access against the absolute prohibition for all others highlights his unparalleled mediatorial role. Furthermore, the scene functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting a precedent for the Old Covenant's system of restricted access to God's presence, which would later be mediated through the High Priest and the Tabernacle/Temple. The mountain itself serves as **Symbolism** for the divine presence, a sacred space where the ordinary rules of engagement are suspended, and direct access is perilous, thereby underscoring God's transcendent holiness and the need for a divinely appointed intermediary.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 24:2 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's holiness and the necessity of mediation in humanity's approach to Him. It establishes a fundamental principle of the Old Covenant: direct access to the Holy God is dangerous for sinful humanity, necessitating a divinely appointed intermediary. Moses' unique privilege foreshadows a greater mediator, highlighting God's consistent plan to bridge the chasm between Himself and His people. This theme of restricted access under the Old Covenant, mediated by a chosen representative, sets the stage for the progressive revelation of God's plan of salvation, culminating in the New Covenant.

* [Deuteronomy 5:5](/deuteronomy/5-5 "Deuteronomy 5:5 - Moses as Mediator")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")
* [1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator, Christ Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 24:2 serves as a powerful reminder of God's transcendent holiness and the profound reverence due to Him. In an age where casualness toward the divine can be prevalent, this verse calls us back to an awe-filled understanding of who God is—a Being of unapproachable light and purity. While the New Covenant grants us direct access through Christ, the underlying principle of God's majesty remains. This passage should cultivate within us a deep appreciation for the privilege of approaching God, not through our own merit or effort, but solely through the perfect mediation of Jesus. It compels us to consider the immense cost of our access and to live lives that reflect the honor and respect due to the One who has drawn us near.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the strictness of access in Exodus 24:2 shape your understanding of God's holiness?**
* **What does Moses' unique role as mediator teach us about the nature of divine-human interaction before Christ?**
* **How should our understanding of Christ's mediation (as foreshadowed here) impact our approach to God in prayer and worship today?**

### FAQ
**Why was Moses the only one allowed to come near the LORD?**

Answer: Moses was uniquely chosen by God to be the primary mediator of the Old Covenant. His singular access to the LORD's immediate presence at Mount Sinai underscored his unparalleled authority and role in receiving the Law and communicating God's will to the Israelites. This exclusivity was a testament to God's specific election of Moses for this pivotal task, highlighting the divine holiness that necessitated a specially appointed representative to bridge the gap between God and His people. It also served to protect the people, as direct exposure to God's unmediated glory would have been fatal due to their sinfulness, as seen in [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See God and Live").

**What is the significance of the different Hebrew words for "come near" and "come nigh" in this verse?**

Answer: The King James Version uses "come near" for the Hebrew `qarab` (קָרַב) and "come nigh" for `nagash` (נָגַשׁ). While both verbs generally mean "to approach," their distinct usage here emphasizes the absolute nature of the prohibition. `Qarab` often implies a more intimate or purposeful drawing near, as in offering a sacrifice or entering a sacred space. `Nagash` can be more general, simply meaning to come close. By using both, the text stresses that not only is the intimate, privileged access (`qarab`) forbidden to all but Moses, but even a more general, unauthorized proximity (`nagash`) is strictly prohibited for the others and the people. This linguistic nuance underscores the severe boundaries set around God's presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 24:2, with its stark portrayal of restricted access to God's presence through a single mediator, finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Moses, as the chosen intermediary between God and Israel, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Just as Moses alone could "come near the LORD," so too is Jesus the "one mediator between God and mankind" ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator, Christ Jesus")). The Old Covenant's system, with its veiled sanctuary and limited access, underscored humanity's separation from a holy God. However, through Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, the veil that separated humanity from God's immediate presence was torn ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that the way to God has been opened for all who believe. No longer do we need an earthly priest or a specific mountain; instead, we are invited to "approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Draw Near with a True Heart")), because Jesus, our great High Priest, has entered the true heavenly sanctuary on our behalf ([Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Entry into Heaven")). He is the new and living way, granting us bold and confident access to the Father ([Ephesians 3:12](/ephesians/3-12 "Ephesians 3:12 - Boldness and Access Through Faith")). Thus, the exclusivity of Moses' access is transformed into the inclusivity of access for all believers through the finished work of Christ, who perfectly fulfills and transcends the mediatorial role foreshadowed in Exodus.

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.