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Exodus 19:1

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¶ In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they [into] the wilderness of Sinai.

In the third {H7992} month {H2320}, when the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} were gone forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, the same day {H3117} came {H935} they into the wilderness {H4057} of Sinai {H5514}.

In the third month after the people of Isra'el had left the land of Egypt, the same day they came to the Sinai Desert.

In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.

In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 19:1

Exodus 19:1 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, detailing the arrival of the children of Israel at the wilderness of Sinai, also known as Mount Horeb. This verse places their arrival in the "third month" after their miraculous departure from the land of Egypt. This timing suggests approximately 45-60 days of travel since the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea. Their journey had taken them through various desert regions, including Marah, Elim, the wilderness of Sin, and Rephidim, where God consistently provided for them, demonstrating His faithfulness and preparing them for this momentous meeting.

Key Themes and Significance

  • Divine Guidance and Providence: The arrival at Sinai on "the same day" (perhaps the day of the new moon, marking the beginning of the third month) highlights God's precise and faithful leading of His people. He had promised Moses at the burning bush that Israel would serve Him on this very mountain.
  • Covenant Preparation: This location is not merely a stop on a journey; it is the designated place where God would formalize His covenant with Israel, transforming them from a multitude of escaped slaves into a nation set apart for Him. It is the threshold to receiving the Law.
  • Anticipation of Revelation: The wilderness of Sinai becomes the sacred stage for a profound divine encounter. The precise timing and location underscore the solemnity and intentionality of God's plan to reveal His character and commandments to His chosen people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wilderness of Sinai" (Hebrew: מִדְבַּר סִינַי, midbar sinai) directly points to the geographical location that would forever be associated with the giving of the Law. The term midbar refers to an uninhabited or sparsely populated desert region, emphasizing the isolation and starkness of the environment where God chose to commune with Israel. This starkness would highlight the grandeur of God's presence.

Practical Application and Reflection

Exodus 19:1 reminds us that God's plans unfold with perfect timing and purpose. Just as He led Israel to Sinai for a specific revelation and covenant, He guides believers today to places and seasons designed for spiritual growth, deeper understanding of His will, and renewed commitment. This verse sets the stage for understanding the foundation of God's moral and ceremonial laws, which would profoundly shape the identity and destiny of Israel and lay groundwork for future revelation, including the new covenant established through Christ.

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

  • Exodus 12:6 (3 votes)

    And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

  • Exodus 16:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which [is] between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

  • Leviticus 23:16 (2 votes)

    Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 23:18 (2 votes)

    And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, [even] an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Numbers 33:15 (2 votes)

    And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai.

  • Exodus 12:2 (2 votes)

    This month [shall be] unto you the beginning of months: it [shall be] the first month of the year to you.