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Exodus 3:5

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And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground.

And he said {H559}, Draw not nigh {H7126} hither {H1988}: put off {H5394} thy shoes {H5275} from off thy feet {H7272}, for the place {H4725} whereon {H834} thou standest {H5975} is holy {H6944} ground {H127}.

He said, "Don't come any closer! Take your sandals off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground.

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Commentary

Exodus 3:5 marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, as God directly addresses Moses from the burning bush. This verse encapsulates the divine command to approach the sacred with profound reverence, setting a precedent for all future encounters with the Almighty.

Context

This verse is part of the dramatic narrative of Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush on Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). Moses, a shepherd, is drawn by the miraculous sight of a bush burning without being consumed. As he draws near to investigate, God calls out to him, initiating a dialogue that would change the course of Israelite history. This command to remove his shoes is God's immediate instruction, establishing the sanctity of the place before any further revelation of His identity or purpose.

Key Themes

  • Divine Holiness: The central message is that God's presence makes a place holy. It is not the physical ground itself, but the immediate manifestation of God's glory and power that consecrates it. This concept of God's inherent holiness is foundational throughout Scripture.
  • Reverence and Humility: The act of taking off shoes was a common sign of respect in ancient Near Eastern cultures, especially when entering a sacred space or in the presence of royalty. Here, it signifies Moses' acknowledgment of God's supreme authority and majesty, demanding humility and awe from anyone who approaches Him.
  • Separation for Sacredness: The command to "draw not nigh hither" emphasizes the boundary between the human and the divine. While God invites communion, He also maintains His distinct and exalted nature, requiring a respectful distance and preparation for interaction.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "holy ground" comes from the Hebrew `אדמת קדש` (admat qodesh). The word `קדש` (qodesh) means "holiness," "sanctuary," or "set apart." It implies a state of being consecrated, distinct, and separated for God's exclusive use or presence. It highlights that the ground became holy not by any intrinsic quality, but because God chose to manifest Himself there, thereby setting it apart from common use.

Practical Application

Exodus 3:5 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Acknowledge God's Presence: We are called to recognize that God's presence can sanctify any place or moment. While we no longer remove our shoes in a literal sense, we are to approach God in prayer, worship, and daily life with an attitude of reverence and humility, understanding that we are always on "holy ground" in His presence.
  • Cultivate Reverence: This verse reminds us to foster a deep sense of awe for God's majesty and power. It encourages a lifestyle where our actions, thoughts, and words reflect our respect for the divine.
  • Humility in Approach: Just as Moses was commanded to humble himself, we too are to approach God with a spirit of humility, recognizing our unworthiness and His boundless grace. This aligns with the New Testament teaching to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, yet always with reverence.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 5:15 (19 votes)

    And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so.

  • Acts 7:33 (12 votes)

    Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

  • Exodus 19:12 (12 votes)

    And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, [that ye] go [not] up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

  • Ecclesiastes 5:1 (10 votes)

    ¶ Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

  • Hebrews 12:20 (7 votes)

    (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

  • Genesis 28:16 (6 votes)

    ¶ And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew [it] not.

  • Genesis 28:17 (6 votes)

    And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful [is] this place! this [is] none other but the house of God, and this [is] the gate of heaven.