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Exodus 19:3

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And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

And Moses {H4872} went up {H5927} unto God {H430}, and the LORD {H3068} called {H7121} unto him out of the mountain {H2022}, saying {H559}, Thus shalt thou say {H559} to the house {H1004} of Jacob {H3290}, and tell {H5046} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478};

Moshe went up to God, and ADONAI called to him from the mountain: "Here is what you are to say to the household of Ya'akov, to tell the people of Isra'el:

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel:

And Moses went up unto God, and Jehovah called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:

Commentary

Exodus 19:3 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as Moses ascends Mount Sinai to receive direct communication from God, setting the stage for the giving of the Law and the establishment of the covenant with Israel.

Context

This verse immediately follows Israel's arrival at the wilderness of Sinai, specifically at the foot of Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb), three months after their dramatic Exodus from Egypt. Moses, as their leader, goes up the mountain to meet with God. This ascent signifies the unique role Moses plays as an intermediary between the Holy God and the newly liberated nation. The setting is one of immense spiritual anticipation, where God is about to formalize His relationship with His chosen people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative: The verse highlights that it is the LORD who calls Moses "out of the mountain." This underscores God's sovereignty and His desire to initiate a relationship with humanity. He is not merely responding to Moses' ascent but actively summoning him for a divine purpose.
  • Moses as Mediator: Moses' role as the one chosen to "say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel" clearly establishes him as God's appointed messenger. This foreshadows his critical function in relaying God's laws and instructions to the people, a role that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the prophecy of a prophet like Moses.
  • Covenant Foundation: This divine call is the prelude to the formal covenant ceremony at Sinai. God is preparing to lay out the terms of His relationship with Israel, reminding them of His past faithfulness and outlining their future responsibilities. The subsequent verses in Exodus 19 detail the covenant promises.
  • Identity of Israel: The dual address, "the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel," emphasizes their corporate identity and their lineage from the patriarch Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel). It reinforces their unique status as God's chosen nation.

Linguistic Insights

The term "LORD" (capitalized in KJV) translates the Hebrew personal name of God, Yahweh (יהוה), which signifies His covenant-keeping nature and His self-existent being. This is significant because it is the covenant God who is speaking, not a generic deity. The "mountain" (Hebrew: har, הַר) is often depicted in scripture as a place of divine encounter and revelation, such as Mount Horeb where Moses first encountered God at the burning bush.

Practical Application

Exodus 19:3 reminds us of God's consistent desire to communicate with humanity. Just as He called Moses, God continues to call individuals into relationship and service today. This verse encourages believers to:

  • Listen for God's Voice: Be attentive to how God speaks, whether through His Word, prayer, or circumstances.
  • Embrace Your Role: Recognize your unique place in God's plan, whether as a leader, a messenger, or simply a faithful follower.
  • Understand God's Character: Reflect on God's initiative and His faithfulness in establishing and maintaining His covenant with His people.

This foundational moment at Sinai underscores the importance of divine revelation and the necessity of a mediator to bridge the gap between a holy God and His people, ultimately pointing to the perfect mediation of Jesus Christ, the Mediator of a new and better covenant.

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 3:4 (5 votes)

    And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here [am] I.

  • Acts 7:38 (3 votes)

    This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

  • Exodus 24:15 (2 votes)

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

  • Exodus 24:18 (2 votes)

    And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

  • Exodus 20:21 (2 votes)

    And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God [was].

  • Deuteronomy 5:5 (2 votes)

    (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

  • Deuteronomy 5:31 (2 votes)

    But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do [them] in the land which I give them to possess it.