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Exodus 19:5

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Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

Now therefore, if ye will obey {H8085} my voice {H6963} indeed {H8085}, and keep {H8104} my covenant {H1285}, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure {H5459} unto me above all people {H5971}: for all the earth {H776} is mine:

Now if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine;

Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine:

Commentary

Exodus 19:5 is a foundational verse establishing the conditional covenant relationship between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. It clearly outlines God's expectations and the resulting unique status promised to His people.

Context

This verse is spoken by God to the Israelites through Moses as they are encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, shortly after their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It precedes the giving of the Ten Commandments and the detailed laws that would govern their national and spiritual life. God is presenting the terms of the covenant He desires to make with Israel, reminding them first of His mighty act of salvation (Exodus 19:4).

Key Themes

  • Covenant Conditions: The phrase "if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant" underscores that the promised blessings and status are contingent upon Israel's faithful response of obedience.
  • Obedience and Faithfulness: God requires not just passive hearing but active and sincere obedience ("obey my voice indeed") and diligent adherence to the terms of His covenant ("keep my covenant").
  • Peculiar Treasure: The promise is that, upon meeting the conditions, Israel will become God's "peculiar treasure." This signifies a special, exclusive possession, highly valued and set apart from all other nations.
  • God's Universal Sovereignty: The declaration "for all the earth is mine" serves as the basis for God's right to choose a particular people and make demands of them. His ownership of everything gives weight to His specific dealings with Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version translates the Hebrew word segullah (סְגֻלָּה) as "peculiar treasure." This term does not mean strange or odd, but rather a prized possession, a valuable personal property that is cherished and guarded. It emphasizes Israel's unique and precious status in God's eyes if they are faithful. "Obey my voice" translates the Hebrew shama' beqol, which implies not just hearing sound, but listening attentively and responding obediently.

Practical Application

While the Mosaic covenant was specific to ancient Israel, this verse highlights timeless principles. It shows that God desires a relationship based on mutual commitment, where His people demonstrate their love and trust through obedience to His voice and faithfulness to His revealed will. In the New Testament, the concept of being God's "peculiar people" is applied to believers in Christ, signifying their redeemed status and calling to live set apart for God's purposes.

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

  • Deuteronomy 14:2 (30 votes)

    For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth.

  • Deuteronomy 7:6 (29 votes)

    For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that [are] upon the face of the earth.

  • Deuteronomy 26:18 (27 votes)

    And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that [thou] shouldest keep all his commandments;

  • Malachi 3:17 (22 votes)

    And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

  • Exodus 15:26 (21 votes)

    And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

  • Exodus 23:22 (13 votes)

    But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

  • Deuteronomy 4:20 (13 votes)

    But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, [even] out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as [ye are] this day.