Exodus 3:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Exodus 3:5 marks a pivotal moment in salvation history, capturing God's direct command to Moses from the burning bush, instructing him to remove his shoes because the ground upon which he stands is consecrated by divine presence. This profound instruction establishes a foundational principle of reverence, humility, and purity required when encountering the Almighty, setting a precedent for all future interactions with the sacred and revealing the transformative power of God's manifest holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of [Moses' initial encounter with God](/exodus/3-1-6 "Exodus 3:1-6 - Moses at the Burning Bush") at the burning bush on Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). Moses, a shepherd tending his flock, is drawn by the miraculous sight of a bush ablaze yet unconsumed. As he turns aside to investigate this extraordinary phenomenon, God calls out to him from the midst of the bush, initiating a dialogue that will profoundly alter the course of Israelite history and Moses' own destiny. The command to remove his shoes, given immediately as Moses approaches, serves as God's non-negotiable instruction, establishing the sanctity of the location and the necessary posture of reverence before any further revelation of His divine identity or redemptive purpose. It precedes God's self-identification as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in [Exodus 3:6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3:6 - God's Self-Identification") and the subsequent commission of Moses to deliver Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the removal of footwear was a widely recognized and deeply symbolic gesture of respect, humility, and submission. This practice was common when entering sacred spaces, temples, or in the presence of royalty or a deity. Shoes, often soiled from travel, were considered defiling in holy places, signifying a need for purification and a separation from the common, earthly realm. Furthermore, removing shoes could also symbolize a relinquishing of personal rights or ownership, indicating that the ground belonged to another, in this case, God. The setting, Mount Horeb, would later become the site where the Law was given, reinforcing its significance as a place of divine encounter and covenant establishment, as described in [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Covenant at Sinai").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 3:5 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully introduces the theme of **Divine Holiness** and God's absolute otherness, emphasizing that His presence inherently sanctifies and transforms the ordinary. Secondly, it establishes the theme of **Reverence and Humility** as essential prerequisites for approaching God, setting a precedent for all future worship and interaction with the divine, a theme echoed in the detailed regulations for the Tabernacle and priestly service later in Exodus and Leviticus. Thirdly, it underscores **Divine Initiative and Separation**, showing that while God initiates the encounter, He also maintains His distinct, exalted nature, requiring a respectful boundary. This moment lays the groundwork for the concept of a "holy nation" set apart by God, as articulated in [Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel as a Holy Nation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **qôdesh (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** This word, translated as "holy," signifies a state of being set apart, consecrated, or dedicated to God. It denotes separation from the common or profane for a sacred purpose, implying inherent purity and distinctness. In this context, it emphasizes that the ground's sanctity is not intrinsic but derives solely from God's manifest presence, which consecrates and distinguishes it.
* **ʼădâmâh (Hebrew, _ʼădâmâh'_):** Translated as "ground," this term refers to the earth, soil, or land. Its connection to the Hebrew word for "man" (`ʼâdâm`) highlights the earthly, mundane nature of the physical world. The transformation of this ordinary "ground" into "holy ground" by God's presence underscores the radical impact of divine encounter on creation.
* **mâqôwm (Hebrew, _mâqôwm'_):** Meaning "place" or "spot," this word refers to a specific locality. When combined with "holy," it emphasizes that holiness can be localized and manifested in a particular space due to God's direct and active presence. It is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality experienced at a defined point in space and time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Draw not nigh hither":** This initial command from God serves as a divine boundary-setting. It immediately establishes God's authority and the sacredness of the space, indicating that casual approach is forbidden. While God initiates the encounter, He simultaneously asserts His transcendence and the need for a respectful distance, emphasizing His distinct and exalted nature from humanity.
* **"put off thy shoes from off thy feet":** This is a direct, practical instruction requiring Moses to perform a symbolic act. As discussed in the context, removing shoes was a widely understood gesture of reverence, humility, and purification in ancient cultures. It signifies Moses' acknowledgment of God's supreme authority, majesty, and unapproachable glory, demanding an attitude of profound awe and submission. It also implies a shedding of the earthly and profane before entering the divine presence.
* **"for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground":** This clause provides the divine rationale for the command. The ground itself is not inherently holy; rather, it is consecrated and made "holy ground" by the immediate, manifest presence of God. This statement underscores the transformative power of God's holiness, which imbues ordinary creation with sacredness, setting it apart for divine purposes and demanding a corresponding reverence from those who approach.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 3:5 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological significance. The most prominent is **Theophany**, the visible manifestation of God to humanity, which is central to the entire burning bush narrative. God's voice from the unconsumed bush is a miraculous display of His power and presence. **Symbolism** is profoundly employed through the command to remove shoes. The act symbolizes humility, reverence, and purification, representing Moses' shedding of earthly concerns and his submission to divine authority. The "holy ground" itself is a powerful **Symbol** of God's immanent presence and the transformative power of His holiness, which renders an ordinary place sacred. This also functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "holy ground" stands in for the holy presence of God that sanctifies it. The entire scene creates a sense of **Awe and Wonder**, preparing both Moses and the reader for the momentous divine revelation that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 3:5 profoundly illustrates God's transcendent holiness, revealing that His very presence transforms the ordinary into the sacred. This encounter establishes a foundational theological principle: God is absolutely distinct from His creation, yet capable of entering it and consecrating specific spaces through His manifest glory. The command to Moses lays the groundwork for all true worship, which must be characterized by deep reverence, humility, and an acute awareness of God's majesty and purity. It teaches that approaching God is not a casual endeavor but demands a posture of awe and a recognition of His absolute otherness. This concept of holiness imparted by divine presence extends throughout Scripture, from the Tabernacle and Temple, where God's dwelling made spaces sacred, to the New Covenant, where believers themselves become temples of the Holy Spirit.

* [Leviticus 10:3](/leviticus/10-3 "Leviticus 10:3 - God's Holiness Among His People")
* [Joshua 5:15](/joshua/5-15 "Joshua 5:15 - Joshua's Encounter with the Commander of the Lord's Army")
* [Isaiah 6:3](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - The Seraphim's Proclamation of God's Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 3:5 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. While we are no longer commanded to literally remove our shoes in every act of worship, the underlying principle of reverence remains paramount. This passage calls us to cultivate a deep awareness that God's presence can sanctify any place or moment, urging us to approach Him in prayer, worship, and daily life with an attitude of profound humility and awe. This means recognizing His majesty in all circumstances, fostering a lifestyle where our thoughts, words, and actions reflect our respect for the divine. Just as Moses was commanded to humble himself before the Holy One, we too are to approach God with a spirit of humility, recognizing our unworthiness and His boundless grace, even as we are invited to [draw near with confidence to the throne of grace](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approaching God's throne of grace") through Christ. This verse reminds us that true worship is not merely ritualistic but a posture of the heart that acknowledges God's supreme holiness and our dependence on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "holy ground" mean for you in your daily life, even outside of a church building?**
* **How does the command to remove shoes challenge our modern tendencies towards casualness in approaching God?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and humility in your personal worship and interaction with God?**
* **How does understanding God's holiness impact your view of your own life and actions?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command Moses to remove his shoes, specifically?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, removing one's footwear was a common and deeply symbolic gesture of respect, humility, and submission, particularly when entering a sacred space, a temple, or appearing before a king or deity. Shoes, being in contact with the dust and defilement of the common world, were removed as an act of purification and reverence. For Moses, this command underscored the profound sanctity of the ground, not due to any inherent quality of the soil, but because it was consecrated by the immediate, manifest presence of God. It was an act of purification and acknowledgment of the divine majesty he was about to encounter, preparing him for the momentous revelation that followed in [Exodus 3:6-10](/exodus/3-6-10 "Exodus 3:6-10 - God's Commission of Moses").

**Does "holy ground" imply that some physical locations are more sacred than others for believers today?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, specific places like the burning bush site, the Tabernacle, and the Temple became "holy ground" because God chose to manifest His presence there in a unique way. However, under the New Covenant, the concept of God's presence has expanded. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers themselves become "temples of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")), and wherever two or three are gathered in Christ's name, He is present ([Matthew 18:20](/matthew/18-20 "Matthew 18:20 - Christ's Presence Among Believers")). While dedicated places of worship are valuable for corporate gathering and can foster a sense of reverence, the emphasis shifts from the intrinsic holiness of a physical location to the holiness imparted by God's presence among His people and within individual hearts. True reverence is now a posture of the heart, recognizing that all of life can be lived in God's holy presence, making every place potentially "holy ground" when we are consciously aware of His presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 3:5, with its powerful depiction of a holy God requiring reverent approach and a consecrated space, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Moses stood on ground made temporarily holy by God's localized presence, Christ Himself is the incarnate God, the ultimate "holy ground" where divinity and humanity perfectly and permanently meet. He is the living Tabernacle, the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")), through whom God's presence dwells fully among us. Jesus bridges the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, making it possible for us to approach God not with fear and distance, but with confidence and intimacy ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Through His perfect sacrifice on the cross, Christ not only cleanses us from sin but also sanctifies us, making believers themselves a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood")) and "temples of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the awe and reverence commanded at the burning bush are now directed towards Christ, through whom we have perpetual access to the Father, no longer needing a specific physical location to encounter the Holy One, for He has [opened a new and living way](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access Through Christ's Blood") into the very presence of God.

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

Joshua 5:15

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

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

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

¶ 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

(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

¶ 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

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.